League of Women Voters of Cache County

Founded in 1970 on provisional basis, the League of Women Voters of Cache County (LWVCC) is a local chapter of League of Women Voters of Utah and the League of Women Voters of the United States. In order to achieve full national recognition the league had to carry out numerous studies and activities. For example, the league developed the "Know Your County" study and investigated the inner workings of government. The league began to hold finance drives and studied education, foreign countries and air and water quality. Finally, on March 30, 1972, Cache County was recognized as an official local league. Since then the LWVCC has continued to conduct studies and generate public participation in government. The league has studied water conservancy district proposal, hazardous waste disposal, and Logan City government. The league continues to thrive in Cache County and hold candidate debates and annual meetings.

From the description of League of Women Voters of Cache County papers, 1970-2000. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 70870971

In 1920, during the fight for women's suffrage, the national League of Women Voters emerged as a political organization for newly enfranchised women. The beginnings of the League can be traced back to the early nineteenth century, but its official creation occurred during the struggle for the women's vote. Carrie Chapman Catt suggested the idea for the League to replace of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), because after women received the vote NAWSA had served its purpose. The League's first four National board members were Maud Park (chair), Edna Gellhor (vice-chair and regional director), Marie Edwards (treasurer), and Pattie Jacobs (secretary). The main purpose of the league entailed guiding and training women in government procedures and processes. Members held conventions each year and met to discuss the development of various programs such as education and health. By 1950 members established the format for national, state and local league procedures.

The state and local leagues of Utah developed along side the national league, with the League of Women Voters of Utah being founded the same year as the national league. Cache County's League history began when Mrs. E. G. Peterson suggested the idea of founding a local affiliate on March 3, 1922. The USU Faculty Women's League met to discuss the creation but failed to establish an organization. Another attempt was made in 1952 when a local league chapter existed for a short time. Margaret Neilson, the president, registered voters but lacked enough members to sustain the league. Many local women instead belonged to the Women's Legislative Council, but support grew to establish a league chapter in 1970 when the Council called for complete unanimity for lobbying. The women of Cache Valley wanted flexibility and the league provided more diversity concerning important issues.

On November 12, 1970 the League of Women Voters of Cache County was officially created with a provisional status. In order to achieve full national recognition the league had to carry out numerous studies and activities. For example, the league developed the "Know Your County" study and investigated the inner workings of government. The league began to hold finance drives and studied education, foreign countries and air and water quality. Finally, on March 30, 1972, Cache County was recognized as an official local league. Since then the LWVCC has continued to conduct studies and generate public participation in government. The league has studied water conservancy district proposal, hazardous waste disposal, and Logan City government. The league continues to thrive in Cache County and hold candidate debates and annual meetings.

From the guide to the League of Women Voters of Cache County papers, 1970-2000, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)