League is the oldest nonpartisan voter service/education organization in the world. As a League member you are a part of a unique three-level organization that mirrors the three levels of government that affect your life: local, state, and national. Our non-partisanship and reputation for thoughtful consideration of all sides of an issue give us unique access to the ``movers and shakers'' at all levels of government. Your dues support volunteer professional lobbyists whose influence is magnified by consensus reached after the carefully researched study of issues by thousands of members nationwide. ``They'' may not agree with League, but they listen.

Since its founding in 1920, the League of Women Voters has significantly influenced the passage of some very important legislation:

• 1930's: Enactment of the Social Security and Food and Drug Acts
• 1940's: Helped lead effort to establish the United Nations
• 1950's: Conservation of all natural resources
• 1960's: Civil rights and ``equal access'' to education, employment, and housing
• 1980's: Voting Rights Amendments, tax reform, and ratification of the Nuclear Forces Treaty
• 1990's: Child Care & Development Block Grants and the Clean Air Act

Presently, at the National level we are working to identify and remove barriers to civic participation, pass campaign finance reform legislation, to secure full voting rights for the District of Columbia, and to assure compliance with Motor Voter, the National Voter Registration Act.

Our organization is a leader in civic education internationally too. League members have supervised voter registration and provided election expertise in the 1996, 1997, and 1998 Bosnian Elections. League members are consulting on the democratic process world wide. Our volunteers provide expertise to governments on voter registration, voting procedures, and Election Day processes. Though the Emerging Democracies Program we train women activists in the newly emerging democracies of Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

At the state level, our Ohio League has an impressive record of accomplishment in 1997-99:

• Organized and conducted regional informational meetings on school funding options for Ohio

 
• Presented a televised forum on Issue 2, the school funding measure, Fall 1997

 
• Published The Blue Book, the culmination of League's two-year study of higher education funding in Ohio.

 
• Sponsored a state-wide petition drive to change Ohio's Constitution, making gerrymandering illegal.

Here at home, League of Women Voters of CH/UH had an equally impressive record in 1997-99:

• Published and distributed 5,000 Voter Guides and organized a successful candidate night for the 1997 and 1998 general elections.
• Organized an Eleventh District Primary candidate's night in April, in cooperation with the Leagues of Shaker Heights and Hillcrest, the Mayfield JCC, CH-UH Public Libraries, Shaker Heights Public Library, and are P.T.A.'s.

 
• Received one of eight National League Emerging Democracies grants to host two women from Zimbabwe in October 1998. They observed the election season and networked with local activists on such issues as AIDS education, disabilities, child abuse, battering, access to press and government representation.

 
• Responded to a request from State Rep. Barbara Boyd to Marshal League forces statewide to testify before the Assembly Study Committee on Welfare Reform Compliance, ``Because League has done its homework and can speak authoritatively and objectively to the issue.''

 
• Honored Carol Edwards with the Beatrice Halle Award for her many years of service to Cleveland Heights and her commitment to maintaining the vitality and diversity of the community.

 
• Honored Heights High student, Sally Abrahamson, with the Dorothy Raymond Award for her activism and enthusiasm for Democracy and the democratic process.

 
• Hosted internationally respected architect and city planner, Robert Madison, who described a strategic planning process for our communities that recognizes that they are not isolated, but are part of a vital, vibrant region.

 
• Commissioned a commemorative coverlet featuring Cleveland Heights and university Heights architectural gems to celebrate our 50^th anniversary.

 
• Participated in the regional LWV study of transportation policy as it relates to out-migration.

 
• Hosted a program on financial incentives in Cleveland Heights, bringing together city officials, business leaders, and concerned citizens to discuss economic development in Cleveland Hts.

PAST PRESIDENTS - CLEVELAND HEIGHTS/UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
 

1998-99	Linda Tobin	1973-75	Jayne Turet
1996-98	Alison K. Hall	1971-73	Jane Rall
1995-96	Adele Cohn	1969-71	Mary Jane Wagnam
1994-95	Elizabeth Boncella	1967-69	Nettie Borstein
1992-94	Carol Gibson	1965-67	Dorothy McCarty
1990-92	Lolly Jacobsen	1963-65	Mariorie Utter
1988-90	Christine Wilkinson	1961-63	Anne Nunley
1988-89	Janice Patterson	1959-61	Celia Friedberg
1986-88	Donalene Poduska	1957-59	Esther Ritter
1983-86	Marilyn McLaughlin	1955-57	Cynthia Weir
1981-83	Leta Benest	1954-55	Cathrine Dauber
1980-81	Kristen McMahon	1951-54	Margaret Francis
1978-80	Mina Saidel	1949-51	Dorothy Raymond
1977-78	Patricia Solomon	1948-49	Mary Elizabeth Crawford
1975-77	Dottie Collins	1947-48	Mrs. Andrew Meyer

Prior to 1947, LWV CH/UH belonged to the Cuyahoga County Council of the League of Women Voters. Shaker Heights, Lakewood, East Cleveland and Cleveland were also members of this Council.
 

BEATRICE HALLE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Given to a member of LWV CH/LJH for outstanding service to League and community.
 

1999	Mary Boyle	1992	Environmental Task Force	1985	Marjorie Utter
1998	Carol Edwards	1991	Roslyn Wolpert	1984	Cynthia Weir
1997	no award given	1990	Donalene Poduska	1983	Amy Vonada
1996	Lois Gross	1989	Mary Mundzak	1982	Anne Cook
1995	Lolly Jacobsen	1988	Gail Jacobsohn	1981	Janet Hutchison
1994	Celia Friedberg	1987	Dorothy McCarty	1980	Lois Davis
1993	Marilyn  McLaughlin	1986	Diane Schuyler	1979	Regina O'Leary

 DOROTHY RAYMOND AWARD RECIPIENTS

Given to a high school student for outstanding contributions in encouraging informed, active engagement of citizens in political life through activity in keeping with LWV philosophies and positions.
 

1999	Ruth DeGolia	1992	Wendy Leatherberry
1998	Sally Abrahamson	1991	Nichole Winbush
1997	Megan Mentrik	1990	Brant Silvers
1996	Arica Hardin	1989	Shanna Cagan
1995	Cecilia Ortega	1988	Karen Wynne
1994	Nora Romanoff	1987	Monica Ramos and Megan Dyer
1993	Kathryn Schantz

This award carries with it a $50 contribution to the Political Awareness Club at Heights High School to support its activities.