The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political membership organization which influences public policy through education and advocacy. These are two distinct roles:
Voters Service/Citizen Education - we present unbiased, nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues. Action/Advocacy - we are nonpartisan, but, after study, we use our positions to advocate for or against particular policies in the public interest. To conduct our voter service and citizen education activities, we may use funds from the League of Women Voters of Flint, Michigan Education Fund, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonprofit educational organization. To conduct action and advocacy activities, we use funds from the League of Women Voters of the Flint Area, Michigan, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Guiding Principles
We believe in:
- respect for individuals
- the value of diversity
- the empowerment of the grassroots, both within the League and in communities
We will:
- act with trust, integrity, professionalism
- operate in an open and effective manner to meet the needs of those we serve, both members and the public
- take the initiative in seeking diversity in membership
- acknowledge our heritage as we seek our path to the future. In 1915, eight Flint women founded the Flint Woman Suffrage Club. By March, 1919, Michigan, along with the fourteen other full suffrage states, joined to form the League of Women Voters. The Flint Woman Suffrage Club was reformed into the League of Women Voters of Genesee County, with several local units. By 1926, there were 183 members. Through the following decades, members were active in educating voters, getting out the vote, studying and advocating on issues of city and county government, child labor and welfare, presidential primaries, limitation of armaments, minimum wage, housing, education, health, fair employment practices, conservation, trade agreements and immigration. In 1974, our name was changed to League of Women Voters of the Flint Area. Members - men and women - continue to become informed and active on these and other issues at the local, state and national levels.
