League of Women Voters of Kansas.

The National League of Women Voters was formed by the National American Woman Suffrage Association in response to the anticipated victory of the Woman Suffrage movement, achieved in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.

In 1919, NAWSA President Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the formation of an organization of women voters as a "mighty political experiment" aimed to help newly-enfranchised women exercise their responsibilities as voters and "finish the fight". In February 1920, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) held its Victory Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Knowing that the battle was won and that the suffrage amendment would be ratified later that year, the Association reconstituted itself as the League of Women Voters. Having won the vote, the women wanted to ensure that they were well-informed and would use it wisely.

At the 50th Anniversary Jubilee Convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, in St. Louis, Missouri, Jane Brooks of Wichita, president of the Kansas Equal Suffrage Association, was elected chairman of the National League of Women Voters. She went home to Kansas and set about dissolving the KESA and establishing the first local League of Women Voters in the country.

The Kansas League of Women Voters was formed by members of the Kansas Equal Suffrage Association in Wichita (Sedgwick County), and held its first meeting June 10-11, 1919 at the Hotel Lassen. By 1920 there were Local Leagues in Topeka, Enterprise, Hutchinson, Emporia, Manhattan, Wichita, Lawrence, Leavenworth, and Winfield. In 1925 the state league officially incorporated as the Kansas League of Women Voters. By 1971 the Kansas League had members in 15 local units, as well as many members-at-large from rural areas too thinly populated to support active local organizations. There are presently 7 active leagues located in Emporia, Great Bend, Johnson County, Lawrence-Douglas County, Manhattan-Riley County, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita.

The League's original purpose was to teach the new voters the basics of voting. Today the League, with its state and local affiliates, stresses active participation in government by supporting legislation, educating its members and other voters on issues, and sponsoring voting drives. The Kansas League of Women Voters and its local units have collected information and prepared reports on state and regional issues ranging from Civil Service, tax, and constitutional reform to environmental quality. The League finances its activities through membership dues and contributions.

From the guide to the League of Women Voters of Kansas records, 1920-2005, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)