League of Women Voters, Dallas Chapter

Dallas became the fifth city in Texas to establish a local League of Women Voters when a group of sixteen women formed the Dallas Branch of the Texas League of Women Voters on April 13, 1938. The name was changed to Dallas County League of Women Voters in 1942, and in 1953 the present name was adopted: League of Women Voters of Dallas.

Mrs. E. L. DeGoyler was elected first president of the Dallas League, and Mrs. H. Abbott, vice president. The Dallas League began its first full year in September, 1939, with 60 members. General membership meetings were held monthly with speakers from outside the League, as well as two study/discussion groups that met every other week. Meetings took place in members' homes, although some special membership teas and other functions took place at the Stoneleigh and Melrose hotels. Some of the first unit meetings in 1942 were conducted by Miss Edna Rowe, longtime teacher at Forest Avenue High School and later principal, at Cokesbury Book Store in downtown Dallas.

Beginning with the "Know Your Town" survey, the Dallas League has studied a variety of governmental issues relating to city and county government, as well as school and hospital districts. League members have also participated in studies of state and national government issues as members of the state and national Leagues. Another important aspect of League activity has been voter service, which involves providing non-partisan information to the community on elections and candidates through Voters Guides, candidates meetings, and encouraging voter registration.

The Dallas League's membership grew primarily by word of mouth and invitation from members to their friends. Most members during the League's first two or three decades did not work outside the home. This contributed to the League's ability to research, study, and inform members about issues of the day. Members had more time to attend meetings in the community and make sure that the League's views were understood. Consequently, the 1950s and 1960s saw the Dallas League's maximum annual membership. The 1970s saw a decline in membership though, and the minutes frequently mentioned "the increasing number of women returning to school and work."

The membership continued to decline in the 1980s and by the 1990s the number of units had dropped from 16 units to 8 units by 1992. However, the Dallas League continued to adapt to an ever-changing world and champion important issues. Through the years, the issues that have been important to the Dallas League of Women Voters are education, voters service, trade, foreign affairs and the United Nations, the judicial process, human resources, city/county government and urban planning, human rights and women's issues, and natural resources.