1941 to 2011C e l e b r a t i n g o u r 7 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y

League of Women Voters o f f r e s n o

70yearsAdvocating Good

Government in Fresno

1941 to 2011C e l e b r a t i n g o u r 7 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y

League of Women Voters o f f r e s n o

A respect ed resource in t he community

for education and advocacy relat ed to

gov ernment, natur al resources and social policy.

page 4 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 5

Anniversary sponsors

League of Women Voters of fresnoofficersPresident Francine M. FarberVicePresident,Administration Kay BertkenVicePresident,VoterServices Liz ShieldsVicePresident,Program Terri FiggsTreasurer Jane WorsleySecretary Pat Campbell

directorsStudentUnit Diane BlairTransportation John DonaldsonMembership Dolores O’NealNaturalResources Mary Savala

LynneAshbeck,ClovisCouncilMemberCarolBequetteLeeBrandLu&DickCagliaEducationalEmployeesCreditUnion*Francine&MurrayFarberTerri&JoeFiggsFresnoCommunityChorusJudyGanulinBobGunningPrincipalFinancialGroup*JohnHebergerDr.FrederickKrugerCarolMillsNationalWomen’sPoliticalCaucus*

To tell a woman

everything she may

not do is to tell her

what she can do.

~Spanish Proverb

BettePetersonAlice&FrankPowellRefinedJourneys|JackieCrossDr.JacquelineRyleSanders&SlaterSanJoaquinGardens*SanJoaquinRiverParkwaySanJoaquinValleyTownHallMary&RudySavalaMarkScott&CityManagementTeamGeorgiaSissonMayorAshleySwearingenUrbanSalvage|PatBarr&JanetSangsterStephenValettStudentUnitofCalStateFresnoValleyPublicRadio*[*TABLESPoNSoR]

page 6 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 7

Thestrictnon-partisanpolicyoftheLeaguehashelpedestablishandmaintainitsreputationforobjectivity.TheLeaguedoesnotsupportoropposeanycandi-dateorpoliticalparty.TheFresnoCountyElectionsDepartment,theCaliforniaStateUniversityFresnostudentgovernmentandotherorganizationshaveaskedLeaguememberstomonitorelectionsasaresultoftheLeague’sreputationforintegrityandnon-partisanship.TheLeague’sVoterServicesDirectorleadstheefforttodistributeEasyVoterguideswhichdescribethestateelectioncandi-datesandexplainpropositions,andspeakstocommunitygroupstoclarifybothsidesoftheissues.ManymembershelpinregisteringvotersandassistingintheelectionprocessbyansweringElectionDaytelephonesandhelpingtopreparemail-inballotsforcounting.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersofFresnocontinuestoinvolvecitizensproductivelyinourcommunity.Aswefindworkablesolutionstoproblems,newissuesconfrontus.TheLeague’schallengeremainstoencouragetheinformedandactivepar-ticipationofcitizensinordertopreserverepresentativedemocracyintheCityandCountyofFresno.

our student UnitTheCaliforniaStateUniversity,FresnoStudentUnitwasformedinFall2008.Theprimarymissionofthestudentunitistofacilitatecivicparticipationandengage-mentontheuniversitycampus.Sinceitsinceptiontheorganizationhasbeeninvolvedinanumberofactivitiestomeetthisgoal.TheStudentUnithasbeenactivelyinvolvedinvotereducationandelectionactivitiesoncampus,includinghostingvoterregistrationtablesanddistributingtheLeague’sEasyVoterGuides.Studentmembershavealsoorganizedandsponsored“PropTalks”onballotini-tiatives,includingmostrecentlyastudentdebateonProposition19whichwouldhaveallowedpeopleage21andoldertogrowandhavesmallquantitiesofmarijuanaforpersonaluse.

TheStudentUnithasalsopublishedopinioneditorialsandletterstotheeditoradvocatingonbehalfofstatefundingforhighereducationandmostrecentlyexpressingconcernattheexclusionofFresnoStatestudentsfromtheguberna-torialdebateheldoncampus.Inaddition,thestudentmembershavejoinedef-fortswithotherstudentorganizationsoncampustocelebrateWomen’sEqualityDayandtocreateawarenessofgender-basedviolenceattheTakeBacktheNightceremonies.StudentmembershavealsovolunteeredatthelocalCom-munityFoodBank.

The Student Unit has

been actively involved

in voter education

and election activities

on campus, including

hosting voter registra-

tion tables and distrib-

uting the League’s Easy

Voter Guides.

TheNewYorkYankeeswontheWorldSeries,beatingtheBrooklynDodgersby4gamesto1.TheFCCauthorizedcommercialtelevisionandRalphEdwardshostedTruthorConsequences,thefirstgameshow.CuriousGeorge,MakeWayforDucklingsandMildredPiercewerepublished,andthemusichitswereTakethe‘A’TrainandRememberPearlHarbor.

Yes,you’recorrectifyouguessedtheyearwas1941.ThatwasalsotheyearthattheLeagueofWomenVotersofFresnowasestablished.ThelocalLeaguewasformedjustbeforeWorldWarIIwithamembershipof26women.Todayitismorethan200strong,withmenas17percentofitsmembership.

AreviewofoldrecordsshowsfamiliarFresnonamesappearingintheannalsofthefirstfiveyears:Bolger,Clover,Collins,Daly,Droge,Gillis,LeMunyon,McCor-mack,Ratcliffe,Rodder,Strong,TeilmanandVanderburgh.Womenwereidenti-fiedbytheirhusbands’namesatthattime.onlyunmarriedwomenwerelistedbytheirgivennames.

ThekindsofissuesofconcerntoLeaguehavechangedthroughtheyears.Go-ingbacktotheearlydaysoftheLeague,inthe1940’schildwelfareinwartimebecameaconcernaswomenwenttowork.Intheearly1950stheMarshallPlan,atomiccontrolandtheUnitedNationswerepursuedlocally.Amajorissueinthe1960swasastudyoftheFresnoCityCharterandanotheronequalityofopportu-nityineducationandhousing.

Thewomen’srightsmovementmovedtotheforefrontinthe1970sandtheLeague’semphasiswasonsocialpolicy.In1979theLeagueadoptedapositiononmetropolitangovernmentwhichsupporteddeliveryofservicesunderonejuris-diction,includingconsolidationandprivatization.Thatbattleisstillon-goingtoday.

Inthe1980’samajoremphasiswasplacedonwisestewardshipofnaturalresources.Acommitteeorganizedthecounty’sfirstHazardousWasteCollec-tionDay.AsaresultoftheLeaguespotlightingthatneed,thecountyhassincescheduledregularcollectiondaysatdesignatedsites.Inthe1990stheLeaguecampaignedformandatorywatermetersfortheCityofFresno.Itpassed,butthenlostwhenitwasbroughtbeforethevotersasecondtime.Finallywaterme-tersaremandatoryinFresnoby2013.

History of the League of Women Voters[ReprintedinpartfromanarticleinFresno MagazinebyFrancineM.Farber]

The Fresno County

Elections Department,

the California State

University Fresno stu-

dent government and

other organizations

have asked League

members to monitor

elections as a result of

the League’s reputa-

tion for integrity and

non-partisanship.

page 8 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 9

fIfTY PLUs YeArs

RosellenKershaw

HannaKrebs

LindaMack

forTY PLUs YeArs

DeannaEvans

KarenGoodman

BetteNoblett

PatPickford

LynnRodriguez

MarySavala

GeorgiaSisson

GloriaSmith

SueStrauss

ShirleyValett

THIrTY PLUs YeArs

JudyAnderson

M.JuleFitzpatrick

ChristineGregg

VickieHaas

KathrynortegaJones

JoanLipton

ElanoreKurtz

MarilynMann

Marianorvis

MargaretSharp

SueSheragy

EvaSproule

KathyWebb

SharynWoodson

JaneWorsley

NylaZender

TWenTY PLUs YeArs

PatsyAnderson

SusanAnderson

AmyArambula

CarolBequette

EileenBryan

CarolBrylka

JanetCloonan

KristineCole

BettyCornelisen

SueCramer

HazelCreighton

AlbertaFerrer

JudyGanulin

LindaGeis

LouiseGeorge

ShirleyGolden

JoyceHuggins

LuisaMedina

PatienceMilrod

JudyPalmer

CharlottePavelko

MaryPerich

AlicePowell

RadleyReep

LouiseRichardson

HelenShaw

HalTokmakian

HowardWatkins

JenniferWilliamson

Ten PLUs YeArs

MaryBiskup

JacquieCanfield

CathyCaples

ShirleyCarlson

JodiFitzpatrick

RutherfordGaston

AlGoodman

LoisHolmes

MargaretJohnson

AnnKaufher

RowenaKratzer

RonnaMallios

JoanieMartin

CarolynMurphy

CarolPenn

FrankPowell

ElizabethRichardson

JanetRyan

BerniceShields

LucileWheaton

JeanneWinslow

SylviaWoodburne

PhyllisWright

our Members Are Loyal50Y e A r s I n L e A G U e

Rosellen KershawMEMBER S I NCE 1 9 5 6

Hanna KrebsMEMBER S I NCE 1 9 5 9

Linda MackMEMBER S I NCE 1 9 6 1

Life MembersYour dedication and continued contribution through

the years are what make the League one of the most

effective and powerful organizations in the country.

It is the generous gift of time and other personal

resources you’ve given that creates meaningful change

in communities here and throughout the world.

May your life of service stand as a model for the

generations that follow you.

Elisabeth MacNamara,

President League of Women Voters of the United States

page 10 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 11

RRosellenbecameinterestedinLWVFbecauseofastudytheLeaguewasdoingconcerningurbanplanning.ShewenttoherfirstmeetingandshortlyafterthatwasinvitedtojointheBoard.

SheremembersLindaMackandRuthAlbrightasbeinghermentors.Leaguewasalsothefirstpresidencysheheldinanyorganization.RosellenwentontobecomestatepresidentofAmericanAssociationofUniversityWomen,PresidentandlongtimeBoardmemberofSanJoaquinValleyTownHall,TheFresnoArtMuseum,TheAniGuild,andTheFriendsoftheFresnoCountyLibrary.ShecreditsLeaguetrainingwithgivinghertheconfi-denceandskillstobecomeacommunityleader.

PlanningwasoneofthemostimportantissuesduringRosellen’sfirsttermasPresident.SheworkedwithGloriaSmithandmembersoftheChamberofCommerceinpreparingtheCity’sapplicationforaModelCitiesDes-ignation.TheLeagueheldworkshopsandconductedstudiesonplanningissuesandRosellenbecameveryactiveinstudyinghousingissuesinthecommunity.

Anotherissueofthedaywascivilrights.RosellenworkedwithMarianMoseleyandGloriaSmithtohelpbringthecivilrightsdialoguetothelocallevel.ThesecommunityleadersoftenworkeduptosixhoursadayhelpingtopreparetheapplicationwhichresultedinFresnobeingdesignatedaModelCity.

RosellenfeelsthattheabilitytoanalyzeissueswasthemostimportantthingshelearnedfromLeague.SheusedthisabilityandskilltotrainotherLeaguememberinpresentingtheProsandConsonthestateballotissuesformanyyears

JuniorLeagueaskedRosellentodevelopaLeadershipprogram.Thisbecamesosuccessfulthatshepre-senteditthroughouttheUnitedStates.PublicRadioinFresnowasstartedwhenthreeyoungmencametoRosellenandaskedhertohelpbeginastationhere.Herfundraisingabilityisunmatchedinthecommunity.Shelearnedthatifonepersonsays“no,”justgoonaskinguntilthemoneyneededisraised.

HersecondtermasPresidentcameaboutwhenMarySavalaaskedhertostepinandhelpLeagueduringatransitiontimeinourleadership.RosellencontinuestoparticipateinmanyLeagueactivitiesandstillservesontheDinnerInTheLibrarycommitteewhichshestarted21yearsago.

AmongRosellen’smanyhonorsarebeingnamedWomanoftheYearin1988bytheCaliforniaLegislature,be-ingnamedaPaulHarrisFellowbytheFresnoRotaryClub.andbeinganHonoraryLifememberofAAUWandtheLeagueofWomenVoters.RosellenwasthefirstLWVFmembertoachieve50-yearstatus.

rosellen Kershawp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 5 8 - 6 0 & 1 9 8 8 - 8 9

Past Presidents1941-43 AliceBell

1943-44 EmmaGates

1944-46 Mrs.W.T.Bever

1946-47 FrancesRodder

1947-49 IreneBrew

1949-50 MaudeHowell

1950-52 MartinaSharp

1952-53 ErmaTodhunter

1953-55 JuneThorpe

1955-57 Mrs.JohnBueler

1957-58 GloriaKelly

1958-60 RosellenKershaw

1960-61 VirginiaColver

1961-62 DorothyWrightson

1962-63 PatriciaMullenix

1963 VitaHenderson

1963-64 FrancesEwy

1964-65 RuthAlbright

1965-66 JuneMox

1966-567 EllenSloan

1967-68 LorraineGolden

1968-69 DienBrown

1969-71 LindaMack

1971-73 LynneRodriguez

1973-74 NancyRichardson

1974-75 SueStrauss

1975-77 MarySavala

1977-79 AllisonMarouk

1979-81 JaneWorsley

1981-83 GeorgiaSisson

1983-85 BetteNoblett

1985-87 BarbaraTokmakian

1988-89 RosellenKershaw

1989-91 ShirleyValett

1991-93 GinaHill

1993-95 CarolBrylka

1995-97 JoanLipton

1997-99 JacquieCanfield

1999-01 MarySavala/FayeWall

2001-03 AnnKaufher/MarySavala

2003-05 TracyPepper

2005-07 TracyPepper/JudyLaCroix

2007-11 FrancineFarber

TherosterofpastpresidentsofLWVFincludesmanywhoarenolongerwithusandwhosehistorywiththeLeague

isnolongerknown.That iswhythepresentBoarddecidedthat itwastimetoconductanoralHistoryproj-

ectwiththe16 livingpastpresidents.EachBoardmembervolunteeredtotapeandtranscribeaninterview

withoneortwoofthepastpresidents,andsecureaphotograph.Asetofcommonquestionswasdeveloped

undertheleadershipofBoardmemberDianeBlair.Thesequestionswerethenusedasthebasisfortheinter-

views,withtheunderstandingthatsomequestionsmightnotbeansweredandotherintervieweesmightrange

farafieldwithmoreinterestingmaterial.TheresultsoftheoralHistoryprojectarepresentedtoyouinthenext16

pagesofthisjournal.Inaddition,eachpastpresidentishonoredbyaposter-sizedreproductionofheroralhistory

interview.ourhopeisthatcurrentreaderswillenjoyreadingaboutpeopletheyknow,whilefuturereaderswill

havethebenefitofahistoricalrecorddatingbackto1958.

ThepresentBoarddecidedthatitwastimetoconductanoralHistoryprojectwiththe16livingpastpresidents.{ {

page 12 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 13

LLynnefirstheardabouttheLeagueofWomenVoterswhenaneighborinvitedhertoaNewMembercoffee.LindaMackwaspresidentatthetimeandrecognizinganewtalent,sheconvincedLynnetojoinLeague.TwomonthsafterjoiningtheBoardLynnewasaskedtoassumetheroleofTreasurer.

TheNominatingCommitteewithAnnCowellandAltaPolsonasmembersconvincedLynnetotakeonthePresidencyfrom1971-1973.Eventhoughshehadyoungchildrenatthetime,shewasassuredofstrongsup-portfromotherBoardmembers.Lynne,asmanyotherpastpresidentshavedone,continuedtobeactiveinLeagueafterhertermwasover.ShehasservedasTreasurer,SecretaryandVoterEditorwhentheVoterwasstillbeingproducedonthemimeographmachine.

Landusewasanimportantissueduringthetimeofherpresidency.ThemoveofSt.AgnesfromitslocationnearRoedingParktoitspresentsitewasundercommunitydiscussionanddebate.LWVFweighedinonthetopicusingitsmanysoundlanduseprinciples.Proposition14andProposition1,bothStateballotmeasuresdealingwithgovernmentfinancing,weredefeatedduringthistime.Thiswasthenfollowedbythesuccess-fulProposition13whichchangedpropertytaxlawsintheStateandwasfollowedbysimilarmeasuresinotherstates.

onbothoftheseissuesLeague’srolewastoholdinformationaldiscussionsandforumsandpresenttheProsandConsoftheissues.League’srolethen,asitcontinuestoday,wastoeducatethepublic.

Atthenationallevel,Lynneremembersthattransportationandlanduseplanningwereimportantissues.Nixonwaspresidentatthetimesotheissueofopengovernmentwasalsoatopicfordiscussion.

LynneremembersthattheBoardsheservedonwasverycompatibleandthattheysocializedtogetherandhadpartiesateveryopportunity.Shevaluedthestrong,active,cohesiveBoardofLeagueatthetime.ShewasabletoattendaNationalConventioninAtlantaGA.Therewasalotofcooperationwithothercommu-nityorganizations,especiallyinholdingcommunityinformationalmeetings.

ThebiggestchallengeLynnefacedasPresidentwasconductingLeaguebusinesswithtwoyoungchildrenathomeandnothavingaseparateLeaguephone.Itwasveryrewardingtryingtoinfluenceimportantdeci-sions,butalsoveryfrustratingrealizingthatgovernmentdoesn’talwaysrespondtoyourefforts.

Lynneremainsanadmireroftoday’sLeagueleadershipandmissestheknowledgeoftheissuescoveredbyLeaguethatapersongainsbyservingontheBoard.

Lynne rodriguezp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 3

MMymotherwasamemberoftheLeaguewhenIwasachildgrowingupinIllinois.Infact,Iremembergoingdoor-to-doorwithherasshedistributedvoterinformation.AfterIgotmarried,wemovedaroundfromcitytocityfrequently,butwhenwecametoFresno,wehopedthatthiswasgoingtobeapermanentmove.By1961,Ihadthreesmallchildren,wasastay-at-homemom,andjoinedtheLeagueforneededintellectualstimulation.

IwasaskedtoserveasPresidentbythenominatingcommittee.IservedontheBoardtwoothertimes,beforeandaftermytermasPresident.IthinkthefirsttimemyportfoliowasForeignPolicy.

Importantissueswerelackofaffordable,desegregatedhousing,anddesegregationoftheschools.Wehadpositionsonbothoftheseissues,sowereactive.AsPresident,IrepresentedLeagueonthelocalUrbanCo-alition,whichwasfocusedonhousing.TheFresnoUSDheldhearingondesegregationatthevariousHighSchools,andIorothersmadepresentationsatthesehearings.

Theinfluenceofmoneyinpoliticalcampaigningishavingadeleteriouseffectonnational,stateandlocalissues.IthinktheeducationofvoterstoacceptpublicfinancingofcampaignsisthemostimportantissueLeaguecouldtakeuprightnow.

MysaddestmemorycamefromtheoppositiontomynominationasPresident.Earlier,IhadresignedfromtheBoardinordertoworkonafriend’scampaignforSchoolBoard.overtheyearsIhadwrittenletterstotheBeeregardingcivilrightsissuesandprotestingtheVietnamWar,aswellasjoiningprotestmarches.In1968,mytoo-young-to-drivedaughterbecameveryactiveinGeneMcCarthy’scampaignforPresident.Iwasnecessarilyinvolvedaswell,mostlychauffeuringherandhercohortsaround.Becauseofallthis,twofriendswhothoughtIwas“toocontroversial”tobePresidentofLeaguewithoutjeopardizingournon-partisanstatusledtheopposi-tion.onceIbecamePresident,Iwastoobusy,andfranklydidnotpossessthewitandskilltomendtherift.Iregrettedthelossoftheirparticipationandfriendship.

Ithinkwecontributedsubstantiallyandpositivelytothecommunitydiscussionregardingdesegregationoftheschools.AlsowedidmanagetogetChannel30tobroadcastthefirstCandidatesForumsforlocalandstatelegislativeracesinprimetime,withtheLeaguehostingandaskingthequestions.Thebiggestchallengewasgettingallthecandidatestoparticipate.DuetotheFCC’sEqualTimeregulations,ifevenonecandidate(nomatterhowmarginal)refusedtoparticipate,wecouldn’tdoit.Actually,theincumbentswerethemostdifficult.

Ilearnedalotaboutthecommunity,andhadalotofpracticeinwritingandpublicspeaking.IthinkLeaguemembershipisveryvaluablebecauseofthedevelopmentofleadershipskills.ItmayhavebeenmoresoatthetimeIjoinedLeaguebecausetherearesomanymoreopportunitiesforwomentoday,whichoffertheop-portunitytodevelopthesameskills.

Linda Mackp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 6 9 - 1 9 7 1

page 14 | 7 0 y e a r s a d v o c a t i n g g o o d g o v e r n m e n t i n f r e s n o t h e l e a g u e o f w o m e n s v o t e r s , f r e s n o | page 15

IIhadrecentlygottenmarriedandmyhusbandhadlosthisfirstwifetocancer.ShehadbeenpresidentoftheLeagueinBakersfield.Hepushedmetogetinvolved.Itwasn’treallysomethingIsoughtout.Ijoinedin1971.

IwasaskedtobeTreasurer.IhadabusinessadministrationdegreeandIknewfigures.Anotherpersonwaspresidentandleftpartwaythroughherterm–itwasn’tapositionIsought.Itwasatimewhenwomenweregoingbackintotheworkforce.Weweremeetingat10a.m.onaweekdayandhavingtroublefillingmorepositions.Theworldwaschanging.Theyalllookedaroundandsaidwell,she’sgottimetodoit,shedoesn’thavechildren.Itwasanexperience.ThevicepresidentresignedamonthortwoafterItookoffice–andsosomeonecameforwardtoactastreasurertofillmyspot.Ilefttheboardaftermytermwasup.

Iwenttobothstateandnationalconvention.ThenationalwasinSanFranciscoandIremembermarchingfortheEqualRightsAmendmentinSanFranciscoinaparadethroughthestreetswithhundredsofotherleaguers.ThestateconventionwasinSanDiegoMyfondestmemoryistheERArally.Idon’trememberifitwasabigissuewithLeaguebutitwasabigissuewithme.AwholecarpoolwenttogethertoSanDiego–itwasexcitingtoseealltheseknowledgeable,skillfulwomeninoneplace.

Irememberthepresidencyasanoverwhelmingtask.Iconvertedaguestroominmyhometotheleagueoffice.Ihadanaquabluefilingcabinetwithtwodrawers,justfullofLeaguestuff.EverymorningIwouldgointoLeagueoffice,wouldmakephonecallsaboutcommittees;itfeltlikeafulltimejob.IwastryingtokeeptheLeaguefromdisintegrating.Wehadtroublegettingpeopleontheboardbecausemanywomenhadreturnedtowork.IfeltIcontributedbykeepingitgoing.

AdifficultchallengewaswhenmyhusbandputaDemocraticstickeronourcarbumper.Peoplecom-plainedaboutitandrepresentativesfromtheStateLeaguecamedownandmetwithusaboutit.Ittookalotoftalkingwithhimtogetthestickerremoved–itwasreallyunpleasant.

Ilearnedthroughpeople’sreactionthatthecommunityholdstremendousrespectfortheofficeofpresidentoftheLeagueandfortheLeague.

IbelievetheLeagueisveryinstrumentalindevelopingleadershipskills.I’mthinkingofseveralwomenwhowentontoserveontheStateBoard.

sue straussp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 7 4 - 1 9 7 5

NNancywashomewithlittlechildrenandwantedtotalkwithotheradults.ShesaidafterattendingjustoneLeaguemeeting,“Iwashooked.”Leaguemembersbecameherlifelongfriends.NancyremembersMarshaLassiterandRoseMunseyasotheractivememberswithyoungchildren.Nancyoftenbroughtherchildrentomeetings.Her3-year-olddaughterdubbedLeague“League‘nVoters.

NancyattendedLeaguejustasamemberforonlyashortwhile.SheremembersthelocalLeagueasveryactive—“alwaysinvolvedinastudy.”LegislationwasNancy’searlyportfolio,andsheworkedwiththelocalLeaguetoopposetheWatsonInitiative,afailedprecursortoProposition13.

NixonwasPresident,desegregationofFresnoUnifiedwaslooming.NancybecameVicePresidentandtheLeague’sschoolboardobserverbeforeshebecamePresident.Educationbecameherrealinteresteventhoughherchildrenwerenotyetinschool.Educationandlandusewereimportantissuesduringhertenure.

SheconnectedwiththeEducationCongressofCaliforniaandservedasViceChairwiththatgroupforatime.Itgaveherachance,ataveryyoungage,toobserveandworkwithinfluentialleadersonimportantissuesinSacramento.NancyreflectedthatLeaguegaveherunparalleledaccesstodecisionmakers.

NancycreditstheLeaguefortrainingherinleadershipandprovidingherwithrolemodelssheneverwouldhavehad.In1975NancyfirstranforandwonaseatontheFresnoUnifiedSchoolBoard,wheresheservedun-til1979andagainfrom1990to1993.Sheservedonablueribboncommitteetoexaminetheneedforanewcityhallandgottohelpchoosethearchitectforthenewbuilding.

ShehasbeenengagedinissuesofjuvenilejusticeasinteragencyCoordinatorforChildren’sServicesunderthedirectionoftheJuvenileCourtandasaCourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate.SheauthoredinfluentialreportsaboutchildrenandyouthinFresno’sjuvenilejusticesystem.Shewasamemberofthetaskforcethatauthored“ChoosingourFuture,”theevaluationoftheFresnoschoolsin2004thatledtoleadershipandsystemchangesinFresnoUnified.NancyhasalsoservedontheFresnoCountyMentalHealthBoardandontheFresnoCountyFosterCareStandardsandoversightCommittee.Shecontinuestoworkonfosteryouthissues.

Nancyregardsthejuvenilejusticesystemasacontinuingconcern.Cutbacksineffectiveearlyinterventionsystemshaveledchildrentobeneglecteduntiltheybecomehabitualcriminals.Shesees“somany”possibilitiesforLeaguesincepeoplewhoworkwithinpublicprogramsaretoobusyandarelikelytofavorthestatusquo.

Nancynotedthatshedoesn’tknowofanyothergroupoutsideofLeaguethatprovidesthesamebroadedu-cationintheongoingworkofourcommunity.Hervariedinvolvementsreflectthateducation.

nancy richardsonp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 7 3 - 1 9 7 4

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TTherewassomethingIfeltstronglyaboutandIwenttoaschoolboardmeetingandspokeasanindividual.SomebodyfromLeaguestoodup,madeastatementandeverybodypaidalotofattention.IdecidedtojoinandIwenttomyfirstmeeting.ThebigissuewasdesegregationandIwasveryimpressedwiththestudythatLWVFdidfromBrownvs.BoardofEducationtowhatwasgoingonacrosstheUnitedStatesandwhatwashappeninghereinFresno.Thatwasmyfirstinterest.

IrememberwhenIwasaskedtobePresident,Ikeptlookingaroundandthinkingtherearealotofotherreallycompetentpeople.Butwithalotofassurancesofmentoringfrompastpresidents,Ieventuallyaccepted.

IhavebeenMembershipChairandTreasureracoupleoftimesaswellasVoterEditor.IthinktheonlytimeItookabreakfromLeaguewaswhenIendedupbeingTreasurer,MembershipChairandVoterEditorallatthesametimeandsufferedalittleburnout.ThereasonItookontripledutywasthatasTreasurer,itisreallyeasytodoMembershipbecauseyouseethemembershipduescomein,andIwasenjoyingdoingtheVoter,becauseIwaslearningsomethingnew,publishingonacomputerinsteadofMarySavala’smimeographma-chineinherkitchen.

Desegregationandteachers’abilitytodocollectivebargainingwerejustbeginning.FresnowaspickedaspartofapilotprojectthatwasconductedbyaprofessorfromUCLA.SeveralLeaguemembersinterviewedprincipalsandteacherstoaskaboutthedifferenceinunionizationandwhatitmeanttotheschools.Theseresultswerecompiledintoanationwidestudy.BetteNoblettandIwenttoEdisonHighSchooltobecomepartoftheparentsgroupdiscussingdesegregation,andwethoughtwewereresented.Thatwasmyfirstexperi-encefeelingdiscriminatedagainst--weweretheminorityinthatsetting.Itwasaneyeopeningexperienceandreallydoestemperhowyourelatetopeople.

IwasluckyenoughtoinheritastrongLeaguebecauseofworkfrompeoplelikeMarySavala.TheonlyglitchIhadwasoneofmyBoardmembersresignedbeforethefirstmeeting,anditwasacriticalposition,anditgavemepause.oneofthechallengesLeaguehadwastofightforaplaceatthetable.Theschooldistrictwasplanningabigdesegregationconferencetotelleverybodyhowitwasgoingtowork–notaskbuttell.Weweren’tconsideredoneoftheplayersamongthegovernmentalorganizationsatthetimeaswearenow

Alongwithothersbeforeme,IhadtheLeagueofficeinmykitchen.Irememberpeoplehadstuffintheirga-ragesthatgotmisplacedorruinedwhichisthereasonwhywedon’thavealotofrecordsfromtheearlydays.IbelieveourfirstofficewasintheCrockerBankbuildingdowntown,butIthinkthebestofficewasintheolderAmericansbuildingonolive.Itwassimilartowhatwehavenow.Gettingtheofficewasabigdealasitwasacommitmenttomonthlyoverheadbutitmadeusmuchmorebusinesslike.

RosellenKershawusedtosaythatLeaguereallytrainsyouhowtorunanorganization,howtobeapublicspeaker,andhowtohaveanimpactonpublicagenciesandpoliciesIlearnedthatasmallgroupofcon-cernedcitizenscanhaveanimpactonthecommunity.

Jane Worsleyp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 7 9 - 1 9 8 1

IIlivedinBerkeleyinthe60’sandIhadheardoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofBerkeleyasbeingveryeffec-tive.IdecidedthatwhenIcamebacktoFresno,IwantedtojointheLeague.RudyandIwereactivistsandweweregoingtochangetheworld.

ThefirstthingIdidwasVoterServices.WewouldgoouttoKmartandWhiteFrontanddovoterregistrationfortheprimarywhenRobertKennedywasrunning.Therewerejusthordesofpeople.Westayedintheparkinglotafterthosestoresclosed,fillingoutregistrationsonthehoodsofcars.Itwasn’tapostcard,itwasapre-num-beredbookwithcarbonpagesandtheelectionsdepartmentkepttrackofthenumberedbooksandwhohadthem.Theelectionsdepartmenttookwhatwefilledoutandthatiswhattheyenteredtheirrecordsfrom,soitwasreallyanimportantjob.

WhenIbecamePresident,ontopofsomefinancialproblems,wehadBoardmemberswhowereveryangryaboutourchallengingChannel30’sapplicationforrenewaloftheirlicensewiththeFCCbecausetheyhadonlyonefemaleintheupperechelonoftheirstaff;infacttheothertwostationsdidn’thaveanywomen.ManyfeltthatChannel30hadbeenagoodallybytelevisingcandidates’forums.ButChannel30wastheonethatwascomingupforrenewalandtherewasanopportunitytomakeourcase.SowehadBoardmeetingsthatwereverycontentious.Wefinallyreachedconsensusbutitwasaroughtime.

AnotherthingthatcontributedtothestresswasthefactthattheLeaguedidnothaveanofficethen,sothePresidenthadallthefiles,andthetelephoneandansweringmachine.Wealsospentalotoftimeraisingmoneybecausewedidn’thavefundsfromworkingfortheCountyElectionsoffice.WedidtelethonsandsolicitationlettersandwehadatheaterpartyattheoldMemorialAuditorium.

Inthesecondterm,whenIwasco-president,IcoulddoalotofcommunityactivismbecauseFayeWallwasresponsiblefortheadministration.AnnKaufherbroughtthatsamekindofsupporttometoo,andIhopeIdidforher.Itenabledbothofustodothingswewouldn’thavebeenabletodobyourselves

DuringmysecondtermthemostimportantissuewasMeasureC.Ihadbeeninvolvedwithhowourtaxmoneywasgoingtobespent,lookingatalternativetransportationandabettertransitsystem,amongotherissues.TheotherthingthatwasimportantthenisthattheLeaguehaddevelopedpartnerships,andthereisnowaytoaddresssuchanimportantcommunityissuewithoutthem.

IfyougotoCityHallandidentifyyourselfasanindividualwishingtoknowmoreaboutacertainissue,thereisadifferentattitudethanifyouidentifyyourselfasamemberoftheLeague.Itisanentréeintotheworkingsofgovernmentthatyoudon’thaveasanindividualandbecauseyouhavethebackground,experience,exper-tiseandgoodcommonsenseofthepeoplewhohavecomebeforeyou,thisisveryimportanttothegovern-mentprocess.Ican’tthinkofanyotherorganizationthatdoesthisatall.

Mary savalap r e s i d e n t , 1 9 7 5 - 1 9 7 7

C o - p r e s i d e n t , 1 9 9 9 - 2 0 0 3

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BBettewenttohearLindaMackspeakonintegrationandaninterestinpoliticalissuesbegan.Shewasinvolvedinseveralpoliticalcampaignsandwalkedtheprecinctsforseveralcandidates.Throughtheirchildren,BetteandMarySavalabecamefriends,anditwasMarywhoaskedBettetojointheLeagueofWomenVoters.Thistookplacein1970.

Bette’sfirstjobfortheLeaguewasasanobserverattheBoardofEducationmeetingsofFresnoUnified.ShethenbecamethechairmanoftheEducationCommittee.Atthattime,itwasnotaBoardposition.WhenGeorgiaSissonwaspresidentoftheLeague,BetteservedasVice-President.Atthesametime,BetteservedontheStateBoard.In1983shebecamePresident.DuringherpresidencyshecontinuedtoserveaspresidentofthenominatingcommitteefortheStateBoard.ShewasproudofthefactthatthenominatingcommitteemetinFresnoforthefirsttime.ShewasontheStateBoardfor8-9years.

oneissuefacingtheFresnocommunityatthetimewasamandatorysegregationprograminFresnoUnified.Bette’schildrenwenttoEdison.Theparentsclubobtainedagrantwhichallowedthemtoprovideaplacewhereparentscouldmeetandgetneededinformationsincetheirchildrenwereinaschooloutoftheirhomearea.AnotherissueinvolvedtheBrownAct.TheStateLeaguehadpublishedabookletwhichtheFresnoLeaguedistributedtovariousorganizationssothattheycouldconducttheirmeetingsopenlyandproperly.

AnimportantgoalduringBette’stenurewastoincreasefinancialstabilityandmembership.Wheneverany-oneaskedheraboutjoiningtheLeague,shewouldalwayssay,“I’lltakeyourcheckrightnow.”

AnationalissuethatstandsoutinBette’smindinvolvedthenationalpresidentialdebates.TheLWVUSwasgo-ingtoconductthedebatesbutthecandidateswantedtoseethequestionsbeforehand.TheLeaguesaidno,andsothebroadcastnewstookover.

AbigaccomplishmentduringhertenurewasgettinganofficefortheLeague.ItwasintheCrockerBankbuildingindowntownFresno.Itincludedatelephoneandaccesstoaconferenceroom.Itwasstaffedforawhile,butthatwasfoundtobeawasteoftime.

Fromservinginaleadershiprole,Bettelearnednottomakeupherminduntilalltheprosandconsofanissueareknown.Youhavetodivorceyourpersonalbiasesandhaveanopenmind.Fordevelopingleadershipskillsandpromotingcivicparticipation,Bettethoughtworkshopswereagoodway.Shefeltthepresident’sjobwasahardjob,butitwasagoodlearningexperience.

Bette noblettp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 8 3 - 1 9 8 5

MMyfatherreferredtoLeaguemembersas“BlueStockings.”Bythislabelhemeanttheyweretrouble-makers&rabble-rousersgiventheirassociationwiththesuffragettes.SoofcourseIhadtogetinvolvedandfiguredI’dfitrightin.IjoinedtheWestLosAngelesLeagueasamemberin1967.

ImovedtoFresnoin1971andjoinedthelocalLeague.IfirstservedasChairoftheEducationCommittee.JaneWorsleyandothersencouragedmetorunforPresident.WhileIwasveryinterestedintheworktheLeaguewasdoingineducation,IalsohadthreeteenagersatthetimeandsoIwasuncertainaboutwhetherIshoulddoit.WiththeencouragementfromLeaguemembersandmyhusbandIagreedtoserve.

AtthenationallevelabigissuewastheEqualRightsAmendment.Atthelocallevelitwashealthcare.RuthAlbrightandIattendedmanyoftheAHECmeetingstorepresenttheLeague’sconcernsaboutaccess.An-otherbigissuewasdesegregationandintegrationoftheschools.Thiswasanationallevelissue,butitwasverycontroversialinFresnogiventheconservativenatureoftheValley.TheLeaguesoughttoshowitssupportfortheprocessandtowatchovertheprocess.

IhadsuchagreattimegoingtotheStateandNationalLeaguemeetings.IremembergoingtotheStatemeetingwithotherlocalmembers;inadditiontodistributinginformativeflyerswealsopassedoutboxesofraisins.AtthenationalmeetingitwasgreattolearnaboutwhatotherLeaguesweredoing.

IalsoreallyenjoyedcommitteeworkandIrememberonememberwouldscriptandroleplaycommitteereports.ItwasalotoffuntoseehowdifferentpeopleapproachedtheworkoftheLeague.

InmysecondyearasPresidenttherewereseveralcriticalboardpositionsthatwerenotfilled,andthatmadeformorework.

TheLeagueofficewasrunoutofmyhome.Thetelephoneansweringmachinehadaverylongmessagethatwouldplayeverytimesomeonecalled.SometimestheywouldhangupbeforethemessagewouldfinishbutIwouldstillhavetohearitplayallthewayouteverytime.HavingaseparateofficefortheLeagueisawonderfulimprovement.

IalsolearnedthatIcouldhandleconfrontation.WhenIwasahealthinspectorwehadanumberofsituationsthatinvolvedconfrontation.NomatterwhatthesituationIwoulddrawonmyexperiencegoingbeforetheCountySupervisorasPresidentoftheLeague.WhenIwasahealthinspectorIwouldjusttellmyselfnothingcouldbeworsethangoingbeforeSupervisorJohnVenturawhenIwasLeaguePresident.

Georgia sissonp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 8 1 - 1 9 8 3

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CCarolbecameawareoftheLeagueofWomenVotersasateenagerinTexas.Sheassociatedtheorganizationwithsmartpeople,especiallythesmartmothersofherfriends.LatershemarriedandlivedinFrankfurt,Germanyfor6years.BackintheUnitedStatesshejoinedtheLeaguewhenherhusbandwaspostedtoNevadaCity.

WhentheymovedtoMarinandlatertoLafayetteintheEastBayshecontinuedwiththeLeagueandbe-cameVoterEditor.SheremembersPeteWilsonrefusingtoparticipateinadebatefortheGovernor’sraceatthelastminuteinSanFranciscoeventhoughthestateLeaguepresidenttookdowntheLeaguebannerfromthefrontofthetable.

ShebecamePresidentoftheFresnochapterin1993when,assheputsit,“itwasherturn.”TheFresnoLeaguehostedameetingofstateLeaguepresidentsinFresnowhenalllocalLeaguemembers“pitchedin.”DuringhersecondyearinofficesheandFayeWallwenttotheLWVUSconventioninWashingtonD.C.Theytookared-eyespecialtosavethechaptermoneyandsleptthroughsomeoftheearlysessionsbutwereawakeenoughtoparticipateinthediscussionsonguncontrolandhealthcarereform.DelegatesvotedtoamendtheLWVUSpositiononguncontrolbyaddingafourthparagraphsummarizingandhighlightingfederalcourtdecisionslimitingthemeaningoftheSecondAmendment’s“righttokeepandbeararms.”ThesupportforhealthcarereformmeantthattheLeaguelobbiedhardforcomprehensivehealthcoveragebutCongresscouldnotagreeonitscontentsandtheeffortsfailed.

ImportantissuesfacingtheFresnocommunityatthattimewerewaterandtransportationissues,includingsup-portingthedevelopmentoftheSanJoaquinRiverParkway.Atthestatelevelchildren’sservicesandcam-paignreformwereimportantissues.IntheeducationareatheLeagueopposedschoolvoucherswhichitbe-lievedwouldweakenthequalityofpublicschoolsasparentsmovedtheirchildrentomoredesirableschoolsinsteadoflobbyingtoupgradethequalityoftheirneighborhoodschools.

Beforeelections,candidateforumswereairedonKVPRwithaudienceparticipation.Severalstudieswereongoingatthetimelookingateducationandcitygovernancewhichwaschangedtoa“strongmayor”formshortlyafterwards.

HermoreenjoyablememoriesofthosedayswerethecamaraderieontheBoardandthetwocroquettour-namentsorganizedasfundraisers.

CarolbelievesthattheLeague’sstrengthslieinbeingnon-partisanandpayingattentiontothechanginginthecommunity,andthattheseareattributeswellworthpreserving.

Carol Brylkap r e s i d e n t , 1 9 9 3 - 1 9 9 5

SShirleyValettknewofLeaguemostofherlifebecauseafriendofhermother’sinWashington,D.C.hadbeenanactiveLeaguememberontheEastCoastandwentontobeactiveinCalifornia,promptingShirleytojoinLeaguewhensheandherfamilymovedtoFresnoin1970.

ShirleyremembersfeelinganxiouswhenacceptinghertermasPresident.Shehadn’thadmuchexperienceonaboardofLeague,andshehadthreemoremonthsofteachingbeforeretiring.ButafterworkingwithmanyLeaguemembersoneducationissues,shedecideditwasherturn.ShehadbeenpresidentoftheUnitarianChurchandwasrelyingonskillslearnedtheretobePresident.ShewasalsorelyingonexperienceleadingLeaguestudiesonhealthcareandeducation.

Importantlocal,stateandnationalissuesfacingLeaguewerepro-choice,watermeters,andredistricting.Shir-leywasLeaguespokespersonsupportingtherighttochoice,urginglegislatorsnottotakeawaythatfreedom.ShirleyledLeagueinthesuccessfulcampaignforwatermetersintheCityofFresno,andworkedwithMayorKarenHumphreyonthewatermeterordinancewhichwasreversedinanothervoteseveralyearslater.ShirleyrepresentedLWVFintheunsuccessfulstatecampaignforredistrictinginwhichAssemblyleaderWillieBrownmadeabigmistakebytellingLeaguememberstostayinthekitchenwheretheybelonged.

LWVFS’s50thbirthdaywascelebratedduringherterm,andwasplannedforthefifthSundayinJanuarybe-causenooneeverplannedanythingforthefifthweekinamonth,butplannersfoundoutthatwasSuperBowlSundayandthebirthdaycelebrationhadtobemovedtoMarch.

TheStateLeadershipCouncilwasalsoheldinFresnointhespringof1990.FresnoLeaguemembersshowedgreatorganizationandflairinhostingtheCouncil,andFresnoshowedoffKarenHumphrey,Fresno’sfirstwomanmayor,askeynotespeaker.ThesuccessoftheCouncilshowedLeaguemembersthatwecoulddoit.

ShirleybelievesthatimportantissuesfacingLeaguetodayarethesameasfacingthenation-poverty,unem-ployment,andsocialjusticeissues,suchashealthcare,housingandeducation.SheistroubledbytheinequityinourcommunityinsharingFresnoCounty’swealth,andshebelievesthesolutionslieinLeague’sroleinself-educationandeducatingothers.

shirley Valettp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 8 9 - 1 9 9 1

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JJacquiefirstknewandadmiredtheLeagueasthesponsorofcandidateforums.Sheremembersfeelingintimi-datedbythewomenshemetatherfirstmeetingoftheVoterServicesCommittee.Theywereallsoengagedandknowledgeable.Afteronlyayear,shewasaskedtobethechairofthatcommittee.Aftertwoyearsinthatposition,shewasaskedtobethelocalPresident.

TheLeaguewasengagedinanumberofimportantcommunityandstate-wideactivitiesduringhertenure.TheStateLeagueadopteditsJuvenileJusticepositionin1997,astudythathadbeenoriginatedbylocalmembersShirleyandBobValett.TheFresnoLeaguewonanawardfromtheStateLeagueatits1999Conven-tionforitsworkonafundraisersupportingtheopeningoftheFresnoAfrican-AmericanMuseum.CarolPennhadbeentheorganizerofthatevent.ThegroupalsoparticipatedinaStatestudyinvolvingoptionalmethodsforvoting.JacquieinitiatedlocalparticipationinthepreparationoftheSmartVoterin1998.

Alsoduringhertenure,theLeaguemadeanefforttoconnectandinvolvestudentsatFresnoStatebywork-ingthroughthePoliticalScienceDepartment.TheLeaguealsoconvenedgovernmentofficialsfromthecity,county,schoolandotherspecialdistrictstoaBrownActeducationforum.JacquieworkedforFresnoUnifiedwhileshewasPresident,butheryoungsonwroteastoryabouthismotherduringtheseyearsindicatingthatsheworkedfortheLeagueofWomenVoters.

JacquiewentontoserveontheLWVCStateBoardontheInternetVotingTaskForceandenjoyingworkingwiththeSecretaryofStateandtheLegislativeAnalyst.JacquiefoughtfortheEasyVoterGuide,whichtheStateLeagueinitiallythoughtwastoo“watereddown.”Jacquiesuccessfullyarguedformeetingtheessentialneedforbasiclevelsofinformation.

JacquieismostproudofherworkgettingtheLeaguetoembracetechnologyandhervoterservicesworkontheEasyVoterGuide.ShecontinuestomaintainthelocalLeaguewebsiteandtocontributeFresno’slocalin-formationtoSmartVoter.DuringherpresidencyJacquieremembersthefriendshipsandintelligentdiscussionsandthefunataretreatatJaneWorsley’shouseonthecoast.SheremembersattendingaStateConventionwithKathyWebbandCarolPennandsharingCarol’sexcitementuponwalkingintotheconventionhall,say-ing“WoW!”

Jacquieisastrongbelieveringettingkidsinvolvedinpubliclifeandpromotingtheirparticipationinthepoliti-calprocess.Inorganizingcandidateforums,sheengagedhighschoolstudentstopreparethequestionsandmoderatetheprogramsinvolvingschoolboardcandidates.ShethinksLeagueaffordsagreatopportunitytodevelopleadershipskillsbyaffordingmembersexperiencethatisjustnotavailableinaregularjob.Shesaysshelearnedtoplanandtobepreparedearlysothatotherswerereadytodotheirwork.SheisstillimpressedthatinLeaguenooneseemstobemotivatedtogetpersonalcredit;rather,itisgettingthingsdonethatmatters.

Jacquie Canfieldp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 9 7 - 1 9 9 9

WWhenJoanwasastudentatWayneStateinDetroit,shebecameamemberofthestudentLeague.Sheevenservedaspresidentofthegroup.AftercollegeJoanmovedtodifferentlocations,finallysettlinginFresno.WhenshehadherchildrenraisedandwasoutofP.T.A.shejoinedtheFresnoLeagueofWomenVotersin1973.Shesaidshedidn’tknowanybody;shejust“wentincold.”Sheknewshewantedtobecomeapartofthegroupshehadenjoyedincollege.

BeforeJoanbecamePresident,sheheld4differentoffices.HerfirstofficewasMembershipfor2years.ShewasalsoTreasurer,PublicityChair,andVice-President.Sheservedatotalof10yearsontheBoard.

JoanattendedtheNationalConventionin1995inChicago.DuringhertermasPresident,juvenilejusticeandcampaignfinancereformwereimportantissuesfacingthecommunity.TheLeaguehadspeakerstoaddresstheissuesandbackedappropriatelegislation.GettingpeopleouttovoteandlearningaboutdemocracyandthepoliticalsystemwereimportantgoalsduringJoan’spresidency.TheLeaguewouldsuggesthowtoaddresspublicofficialsonlegislation.

DuringJoan’stermtheLeagueinvitedMollyIvinstospeakatFSU.MarySavalaworkedongettingherhere.Mollyhadattendedaconservativewomen’scollegebutsheherselfwasveryliberal.ShewasbasedinAustin,Texasandwroteforanewspaper.Hertopicwaswaterqualitywhichwasastateissueatthetime.AbrunchwasheldinMolly’shonorthenextdayatthehomeofClaraTouya.Molly’sappearanceinFresnocausedsomecontroversyamongmembersoftheLeague.

Todaytherearesomanyissuesfacingthecommunity.Redistricting,environment,andtransportationarejustafew.TheLeagueneedstoeducatethepublicontheissues.JoanfeelsherbiggestaccomplishmentwastomaintaininterestintheLeague.AnotheraccomplishmentwasafundraiserthatwasheldatTheatreIII.Herbiggestchallengeinvolvedpersonnelproblems.ThemostimportantthingJoanlearnedfromservinginaleadershiprolewashowtogetpeopletodothings,howtodelegateandmatchthetalentsofpeopletoresponsibilities.

Yearsago,theLeagueusedtohavetrainingworkshopswithotherleagues.Joanfeelsthatwouldbeagoodwaytodevelopleadershipskills.PeopleaskJoanaboutissuesandtheyalwaysrespecthowtheLeaguestands.ShelovesthemembersandisveryhappytobeamemberoftheLeagueofWomenVoters.

Joan Liptonp r e s i d e n t , 1 9 9 5 - 1 9 9 7

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TTracylearnedoftheLeagueinaWomen’sStudiesclassinjuniorcollegewheretheLeague’shistoryandactivi-tieswerediscussed.DuringherundergraduateprogramatFresnoStateshewaschosentoparticipateinaleadershipprogramwiththeGreatValleyCenterinModesto.AtthattimeshemetAlicePowell,along-timeLeaguemember,whoinvitedhertoattendsomeboardmeetings.MarySavalaaskedTracytojointheboard,whichshedidinthecapacityofSocialPolicyDirectorwhilefinishingherbachelor’sdegree.

ShebecamePresidentoftheFresnochapterin2003servingonefullandonehalftermuntil2006,whenshemovedtotheBayArea.DuringhertenureaspresidentshealsoservedontheNominatingCommitteefortheStateLeague.

ImportantissuesfacingtheFresnocommunityatthattimewerepassageoftherevisedMeasureCExtensionin2006,theformationofaHousingCoalitiontoprovideaffordablehousingintheFresnoarea,andtheinitialCen-tralValleyAirQualityCoalition.ThefirstextensionofMeasureCtoprovideimprovedtransportationintheareawasdefeatedin2002andtheLeaguetookanactivepartindesigningtherevisedversionwithmoreinputfromcommunitiesintheareaandcollaborationwithotherinterestedparties.ThatsamemodelwasfollowedbyLeagueparticipationintheaffordablehousingandairqualitycoalitions.

TracyparticipatedintheoneVoiceProgram,anannualadvocacyprogram,andvisitedWashingtonD.C.tolobbyFresnoCounty’scongressionaldelegationandinformthemofthearea’sprioritiesforprogramsandprojectsforthefollowingyear.ShefeelsthattheLeague’sparticipationinthevariouscoalitionsraisedthevis-ibilityoftheLeagueandeducatedthecommunityonthepertinentissues.SheisproudoftheformationofthecoalitionsandherrepresentationoftheLeagueinlobbying.

Herbiggestchallengesweremeetingthegoalsofincreasedmembershipanddiversitythatconstraintsoftimeandenergymadedifficult.TheLeagueofficealsomovedfromVanNessAvenuetoStoneSoupduringherpresidency.Todaysheisnotasinvolvedduetoherabsencefromtheareaforthreeyears.

ThemainlessonsshetookfromservingasPresidentwerethatthebestwaytogetanythingdoneistohavefaithinacommitted,supportive,passionateteam,tolearntotrusttheindividualsandtobewillingtotrydiffer-entapproaches.ShehasusedtheLeagueprinciplesofleadershipinsubsequentcommittees.

SheviewsmembershipintheLeagueasanexcellentopportunitytodevelopleadershipskillsandfeelsthatthisshouldbeemphasizedmoreinmembershiprecruitment.TheLeagueprovidesagoodfoundationthatcanbeusedinmanyotherareas.

Tracy Pepperp r e s i d e n t , 2 0 0 3 - 2 0 0 6

AAnnwasintroducedtoTheLeagueofWomenVotersinPennsylvaniain1978aftermeetinganotheryoungmotherwhochairedtheERAcampaign.AnnwastoldsheshouldjointheLeagueandtakeovertheERAposi-tionontheLeagueBoardinDanville,PA.ShelookedtoLeagueasabrandnewmemberofthecommunitywantingtolearnaboutDanvilleandwantingsomethingpositivetodobesideschangediapers.ShewasontheLeagueBoardfornineyearsandservedasDanville’sLeaguepresidentfrom1982-1984.

ThefirstthingAnndidwhencomingtoFresnoin1987wastolookuptheLeague,andshejoinedunderRosellenKershaw’spresidency,payingherduesagainatherfirstmeetingwhichwasheldatMarySavala’shouse.ShebecameaBoardmemberinFresnorightaway,servingasEducationDirector.

AnnmovedwithherfamilybacktoPennsylvaniain1990andbecametheAllentownLeague’sprogramvicepresident.ShereturnedtoFresnoin1994andimmediatelyrejoinedtheFresnoLeague,becomingthemem-bershipchair.ShepulledbackfromLeagueinvolvementwhenshewentbacktowork.Annagreedtobeco-Presidentin2001thinkingthatco-presidencywasanarrangementthatshecouldmanagealongwithworking.

ThemostimportanteventofAnn’stermofco-presidencywasSeptember11,2001.AnnpartneredwithMetroMinistry,TheMaddyInstitute,andPeaceFresnoimplementingtheLWVUSNationalProgrampositionsonthePatriotAct.AnnorganizedaforumheldattheStateBuildinginFresno,bringingbothsidesofthedebateaboutUSPoliciestothetable.BruceThortonofCSUFwasbroughtintodebatewithJamesCypherfromCSUFandMediaBenjaminfromtheGreenParty.Theforumwasverywellattendedand,althoughtherewaslivelydebateandpointedquestions,itwasorderly.

LeaguewasalsoinvolvedwithopposingMeasureC,theCounty’stransportationtaxrenewalmeasure,onthe2002ballot.AnnrememberslettersandstatementsandansweringthepressaboutLeagueopposition.TheFresnoLeaguebeganworkingwiththeFresnoCountyElectionsofficein2002duringAnn’sterm.

Leaguealsodealtwithsustainabilityconcerns,healthcare,andUStradeissues(NAFTAproposals)duringherterm.QualityoflifeconcernswereimportanttoLeaguemembersandasPresident,AnnstressedthatLeagueshouldalwaysbeconcernedwiththosewhoareleastabletohelpthemselvesoneducationandnutritionadvocacy.

AnnbelievesthatthemostimportantconcernforallLeaguesismembership,andshepraisesourLeagueforfoundingtheCSUFLeagueunit.SheemphasizesthatLeaguesmustfindmenandwomenmemberswithtimetovolunteerandwithabackgroundandinterestingoodgovernment.

Ann Kaufherc o - p r e s i d e n t , 2 0 0 1 - 2 0 0 3

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WWhenImovedtoFresnofromConnecticut,myhusbandandIattendedsomediscussionsatthelibraryaboutFresno’spastandfutureledbyMaryBiskup,aLeaguemember.Aswetalkedabouteducation,shecom-mentedthatIwouldbeagoodeducationcommitteemember.IwasinvitedtoattendameetingatJoanieMartin’shousewhowasthentheoff-boardEdchair.

EventuallyIbecametheBoardEducationchair.TracyPepperwaspresident.Sheneededaco-chair,whichwasagreedtobyJudyLaCroix,whowasthenBoardsecretary.WhenTracyleft,Judywasthesolepresident.Shebecameillandpassedawayneartheendofherterm.Thatismysaddestmemory.Shewasawarm,caringpersonwhowasalsoverycapable.Ibecamepresidentintheinterimforafewmonths,andthenwaselectedpresidentfortwofullterms.

Therewereanumberofeducationissuesfacingus.ThebehavioroftheFresnoBoardofEducationwasofgreatconcern.Wealsotookonaprominentroleinadvocatingforequalaccesstohighqualitypreschoolforfour-year-oldsinFresnoCountyandparticipatedinaDropoutSummit.WeparticipatedintheLWVUSImmigra-tionStudy,wereinvolvedwithmentalhealthconcerns,tookstandsonmanyenvironmentalissues,andstartedthefirst(andonly)officiallyaffiliatedStudentUnitintheU.S.WealsoparticipatedinandthenconductedourownFreedomofInformationstudywithlocalpublicagencies.

Iamproudtosaywetookaleadershippositioninmanycases.TheBoardofEducation’sbehaviorbecameasubjectforthegrandjuryandtheywerefoundtohaveviolatedtheBrownAct.Westartedacoalitionforpre-schoolwhichledtoextensivefundingfromthePackardFoundation,theFirstFiveCommissionofFresnoCountyandtheFresnoCountyofficeofEducation.Werancounty-wideworkshopsonmentalhealth.Withrespecttotheenvironmentwedidagreatdealonallaspectsincludingair,water,landuseandenergy.Wecontinuedtopromoteopengovernmentandsponsoredforumswithcandidatesformanylocalpositions.

IthinkthemostimportantoverarchinggoalwastokeepourBoardandmembersinvolvedinalloftheimpor-tantissuesandmaintainourvisibilityineducationandadvocacy.LetterstotheEditor,op-edpiecesintheBeeandnumerousLunch&Learnworkshopshelpedtoworktowardthisgoal.

Whenourlong-timeVotereditorlefttheBoard,wewereabletoenlistCarolCowinasoff-Boardeditor.Whensheleftthepositionafter6monthsIbecamePresidentandVoterEditorsimultaneously,dualpositionsIstillhold.Wehavetodoalotwithanall-volunteerstaff.Itisachallengetogeteverythingdone.FortunatelywehaveoutstandingBoardmemberswhoaretotallydevotedtotheircauses.Beingpartofthisorganizationisextremelylabor-intensiveandwealwaysneedmoreactivemembersupport,thoughcertainlytheideologicalsupportisthere.

francine farberp r e s i d e n t , 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 11

CREDIT UNION AD NOT WORKING

the League of Women Voters of Fresno

for 70 years of service and

electoral education

Best Wishes for the next 70 years.

The national Women’s Political Caucus

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peace!~Jackie

Dr. Jackie ryle President 2010-11, 2011-2012

rotary District 5230Territory 10

559.289.1443

reACH WITHIn To eMBrACe HUMAnIT Y

The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust congratulates the League of Women Voters of Fresno on 70 years of service to the community.

With support from our donors and friends, the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust has succeeded in saving over 3,500 acres of land along the San Joaquin River from urbanization.

11605 Old Friant Road, Fresno CA 93730 | 559.248.8480 fax 559.248.8474 www.riverparkway.org | www.facebook.com/SJRPCT | twitter.com/SJRPCT | parkwayview.wordpress.com

J. FiggS REaL EStatE

BRokERagE1576 W Minarets ave. Fresno Ca 93711phone 559.431.7274 cell 559.779.3952fax 559.432.6608 jfiggs@comcast.net

Congratulations

to the League of

Women Voters

of Fresno on

of service to the

community

70 yEaRS

JoE & tERRi FiggS

70 YearsCongratulations

to League!from mary & rudy Savala

Continue Your Wonderful Work!

Carol Bequette

Congratulations on Making a Difference for 70 YeARSFrank and Alice Powell

Congratulations to the league from three future Voters

granddaughters of murray & francine farber

Emma ReneeDe Zubiria

Maya Jean De Zubiria

torrey annHart

lWV fresno

Congratulations

JUDY GANULIN & ASSOCIATESPUbLIC RELATIONS • MARkETING

JUDY GANULIN, APR, fELLOW PRSA

1117 W. San Jose • fresno CA 93711-3112559.222.7411 • fAX 559.226.7326jganulin@comcast.net

Piano, Keyboards, TheoryInstruction, Your Home or Mine

530 E. Herndon ave., Ste. 110 | Fresno, Ca 93720-2990N E a R F R E S N o S t R E E t

Frederick J. kruger, D.P.M.DiPLoMatE, aMERiCaN BoaRD oF

PoDiatRiC SURgERy

D i S E a S E S , i N J U R i E S a N D S U R g E R y o F t H E F o o t

[ 5 5 9 ] 4 4 7 . 9 0 4 0 | F a X [ 5 5 9 ] 4 4 7 . 8 0 4 2

B y a P P o i N t M E N t

Saturday, May 14 at 8pmSunday, May 15 at 2:30pm

bach’s magnificat

$15 adults $8 studentsat CSU Fresno Concert Hall

concertand more

Fresno Community Chorus

Many thanks, LWV Fresno,for your 70 years of advocacy for good government, quality education, and stewardship of our natural resources.

Georgia Sisson

Carol Mills, J.D.Board of EducationCarolmillsfusd@comcast.net

FrEsno UniFiEDsChool DistriCt

aLL agES—aLL LEVELS aLL StyLES “BaCH to RoCk”

StEVEN RoBERt VaLEttMUSiC DEgREE—CSUF

559.298.9248 H | 559.307.2489 C

Business:2309 tulare street Fresno, CA 93721-2287Phone: 559/457-3727 FAX: 559/457-3213

home: P.o. Box 828 Fresno, CA 93712-0828

FAX:559/268-7052

E S T A B L I S H E D 1 9 7 7

P O P P y L a N e . C O M

Well-behaved women rarely make history.

~Eleanor Roosevelt

f r o m y o u r

Board of direCtorsa n d o n t o t h e n e X t 7 0 y e a r s !

haPPy anniVersaryto our league

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!

aLL BOOKS By

LoCALAUTHoRS

PoPPy Lane P U B L I S H I N G

J o u r n a l e d i t o r : f r a n c i n e M . f a r b e r

G r a p h i c D e s i g n : A m y J o h n s o n

L W V f P h o t o s : H o w a r d W a t k i n s

Great necessities call out great virtues. ~ A b i g a i l A d a m s