Women for Legislative Action

History

The Women for Legislative Action (WLA) was an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, inter-racial organization which began in 1951 and disbanded December 31, 1977. It was founded by a group of women who were not only interested in but wanted an active role in voicing their opinions and/or support for/against current issues and legislative processes at local, state, and national levels, as well as international affairs. This organization was dedicated to understand the legal jargon and complexities of bills and issues, to delegate what they felt the best course of action in handling them, and to inform the public.

During its lifetime the WLA grew in strength and numbers, boasting at one time of 1,000 members. The organization was made up of women from different ethnic and racial backgrounds and professions who came from all parts of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Membership was open to all women.

Because of growing interests in a large area, it was necessary to divide the organization into chapters. The chapter was the basic structure of the WLA. There were four chapters--Los Angeles, Valley, Central (Los Angeles), and West (Los Angeles). The Los Angeles and Valley Chapters were further divided into day and evening sessions.

The function of the chapters was to hold monthly meetings and publish monthly bulletins which contained information on current legislation, chapter activities, and program plans. The chapter meetings frequently had guest speakers. The main basis of the chapter was the panel workshop which was made up of chapter members who studied and discussed pertinent issues and recommended action.

The officers of the chapters were elected by fellow members for a one year term and limited to three successive terms in one office. They consisted of a President; five Vice Presidents who were in charge of Organization, Legislative, Program, Ways and Means, and Membership; Recording Secretary; Corresponding Secretary; Dues Secretary; and Treasurer. Past officers included June White, Betty Willett, Eve Korn, Terry Karshmer, Julia Kagan, Raveli Soltes, Louise Bauers, Leah London, Thomacina Washington, Reva Grant, and Julia Sherman.

Dues were collected annually by the chapters and ranged from $3.00 (1952) to $6.00 (1977). The moneys collected provided for operating expenses such as printing the bulletins and rental space for each chapter.

The governing body of WLA was the Council. The Council coordinated the activities of WLA, deciding whether to cooperate with other organizations for non-partisan legislative, civic issues, or educational purposes on a temporary basis (WLA was not affiliated with any other organization). Council delegated the power of forming a new chapter if the group had 20 or more paid members. It set up conferences and panel workshops on current issues to which the general public was invited. The funds collected from such events were used to send chapter members to Washington D.C. and Sacramento to meet with officials; participate in legislative hearings on major bills and issues; and help other community organizations.

The Council members were elected by the total WLA membership for a one year term not to exceed three consecutive terms of one office. The officers of the Council included the President who not only presided over meetings but was the spokeswoman and sent communications and made public statements in the name of the organization, Organization Vice President, Legislative Vice President, Membership Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other Council members included chapter presidents, Council chapter representatives, and panel coordinators who represented three areas--Community Affairs, Civil Liberties, and International Relations. Past presidents of the Council included Sylvia Miller (1952), Dorothy Marshall (1955), Doris Roth (1961-1963), Gussie Sitkin (1963-1965), Annette Cimring (1966-1969); other officers were Sylvia Goldberg, Sylvia Blankfort, Reva Grant, and Julia Sherman.

Other offices in WLA were the Executive Board and standing committees. The Executive Board consisted of all elected chapter officers, all chairmen of standing committees, their co-chairmen and secretaries, and others designated by the President. The standing committees consisted of a workshop panel committee concerned with legislation in civil liberties, international relations, and community affairs.

One of the major events held every year was the Annual Awards and Installation Luncheon. Usually held in June at well known hotels and restaurants, the luncheons were given top press coverage with prominent guests and recipients of the WLA award, the Statue of Liberty. The award was given to those people who had made outstanding contributions in the fields of legislation, communication, education, social welfare, civil liberties, human rights, and peace. Recipients of this award included Dr. Linus Pauling, Carl Sandburg, Assemblymen Mervyn Dymally and Augustus Hawkins, Martin Luther King Jr., Joan Baez, Dagmar Wilson, Dick Gregory, Dr. & Mrs. John Caughey, Dolores Huerta of the Farm Workers Union, and Makesha Tackett of the United Civil Rights. Also, newly elected officers of the Council and chapters were inducted.

In its 26 years of existence, WLA had witnessed or been a part of many events and issues of political, social, and moral concern on all levels--local, state, national, and international. The organization considered such issues as the Vietnam War; hearings of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC); the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.; the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon; space flights; the crisis in the Middle East, Central America, South Africa; the Civil Rights movement; environmental awareness; the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; disarmament talks with the Soviet Union; local school desegregation and busing issues; support for farm workers, and the problems of smog.

The results showed WLA's course of action in the form of letters to the President, government officials, private organizations; speeches; participation in demonstrations; and in visits to officials in Washington and Sacramento.

Also, they had a radio program on the Los Angeles Pacifica radio station, KPFK-FM, which discussed and alerted listeners about issues and bills.

Within the last 10 years of WLA, the group tried to rejuvenate the organization but was unsuccessful due to lack of members, lack of support, and lack of interest. Many of the original members had passed away, retired, or left for other reasons, leaving few to carry on. In 1977, it was decided to terminate the organization and whatever funds were left would be used to pay off the expenses and the rest given to other organizations. The remaining few formed a new group called Women on Issues adhering to most of WLA's ideals but operating mainly as a study group that continued to meet until the mid-1980's.

The track record of WLA indicated that they accomplished much in the 26 years and the results are shown in their activities in circumventing certain bills and issues such as the McCarran-Walter Act, the Dilworth Act, House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), wiretapping bills; cease fire in Vietnam; desegregation of the Los Angeles schools; and creation of projects like the National Health Program, child care centers, and more senior citizens' benefits.

What started out as a small group of women with high ideals snowballed into one of the largest women's activist organization in the nation. Their intent and determination proved that the WLA was not a social club, but one that was dedicated to preserving freedoms as stated in the Constitution and Bill of Rights; to understanding the complexities of laws, bills, issues and taking action; and to making the public aware of what was happening. The WLA had, as past recipient of WLA's award, Donna Allen, said, ...maturity and knowledge about issues and with persistence, their actions showed that people will listen and that changes can be made, corrected, or created.

From the guide to the Women for Legislative Action Collection, 1952-1977, (Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research.)