The League of Women Voters was founded in February 1920, six months before all women in America were guaranteed the right to vote through the passage of the 19th Amendment. Our founders knew that securing the right to vote was only the beginning goal – becoming an informed and engaged voter was the next goal for American women. Since then the organization has expanded to include men and women and to address a wide-range of issues that help citizens be active participants in political life as well as calling on government to be both responsive and responsible.
As a non-partisan organization, LWVN maintains two components for maximum flexibility.
– Tax-deductible donations go to 501(c)(3) organization — All of our unbiased, non-partisan information on voting and citizen education is funded through tax-deductible donations through the League of Women Voters of Tennessee Education Fund, a 501(c) (3) organization.
– Non-deductible donations go to 501(c)(4) organization — After our members thoroughly study an issue of public policy, we develop an advocacy position. When legislative bills in the state legislature are introduced that directly address stated LWVTN positions, LWVTN volunteers and the LWVTN paid lobbyist make our organization’s positions known to state legislators. Lobbying for specific legislation (on either the local or state level) is not a tax-deductible activity and is paid for out of the non tax-deductible 501(c)(4) arm of the organization.
LWVN never supports or endorses political parties or candidates. While we encourage and enable all of our members to be civically and politically active, the organization maintains a strict non-partisan stance.
After the 19th Amendment passed in 1920, the League of Women Voters in Nashville lost momentum and remained dormant until the remarkable Molly Todd came to town in the 1940’s and resuscitated the organization in 1948. Under her leadership, LWVN mobilized support for a host of public policy issues ranging from birth control to the formation of a family service agency to racial integration. The League published the city’s first brochure on voter education, worked to abolish the poll tax, and engaged in efforts to consolidate city and county government services. Re-energized by a new generation of women leaders, the organization continues to address the pressing public policy issues raised in each generation.
2017 E. Bronson Ingram Award – League of Women Voters
LWVN membership elects board members to serve two-year terms in a variety of capacities. The organization benefits from the expertise and dedication of these community volunteers.
Molly Todd was a power and effective leader who pushed the boundaries of the role of citizens in promoting public policy. She was a frequent monitor at the state legislature on League issues, especially the income tax, a delegate to the 1970 Tennessee Constitutional Convention, and later ran for office. She was also a plaintiff in the Baker v Carr case that came before the Supreme Court regarding redistricting in 1962, which led to the “one person, one vote” standard for legislative reapportionment.
In 1995, the Nashville League established the annual Molly Todd Award. It is given in recognition of a member of the League who has followed in Molly Todd’s footsteps, providing leadership and service to both the League and the voters of Nashville. And it identifies someone who shows the same bold spirit and optimism that Molly always demonstrated.
MOLLY TODD AWARD RECIPIENTS
2017 Hazel Thornton
2016 Barbara Gay
2015 Jo Singer
2014 Diane DiIanni
2013 Barbara Devaney
2012 Pat Post
2011 Sue Bredensteiner
2010 Karen Weeks
2009 Margie Parsley
2008 Karen Edwards
2007 Phil Schoggen
2006 Mary Frances Lyle
2005 Marian Ott
2004 Berdelle Campbell
2003 Dikkie Schoggen
2002 JoAnn Bennett
2001 Silvine Hudson
2000 Brenda Wynn
1999 Susan Gutow
1998 Silvine Hudson
1997 Sally Levine
1996 Carole Bucy
1995 Jane Eskind
LWVN presidents can serve for three sequential two-year terms. The current president is Debby Gould (2012-18).
2010 – 2012 Jo Singer
2008 – 2010 Lucy Chism
2007 – 2008 Margie Parsley
2006 – 2007 Karen Edwards & Margie Parsley
2005 – 2006 Karen Edwards
2003 – 2005 Deana Claiborne & Karen Edwards
2002 – 2003 Luvenia Butler
2000 – 2002 Marian Ott
1998 – 2000 Margie Parsley
1996 – 1998 Brenda Wynn
1994 – 1996 Suzie Tolmie
1992 – 1994 Mary Frances Lyle
1990 – 1992 Peggy Maguire
1988 – 1990 Carol Bucy
1986 – 1988 Susan Gutow
1984 – 1986 Gayle Ray
1983 – 1984 Barbara Mann
1982 – 1983 Juli Mosley
1979 – 1982 Roz McGee
1978 – 1979 Silvine Hudson
1978 Margaret Manning
1975 – 1978 Jane Entrekin
1974 – 1975 Barbara Housewright
1971 – 1974 Mary Wade
1970 – 1971 Gale Markus
1968 – 1970 Miriam Cowden
1966 – 1968 Sally Levine
1966 Geralyn Clewe
1965 – 1966 Betsy Zukoski
1962 – 1965 Barbara Kuhn
1958 – 1962 Sebby Billig
1958 Helen Dingley
1957 – 1958 Mary Hobbs
1956 – 1957 Georgia Benjamin
1954 – 1956 Coletta Tesch
1952 – 1954 Jean Schwartz
1950 – 1952 Martha Wigginton
1948 – 1950 Molly Todd
Our donors make it possible for LWVN to be successful. We are grateful for their support this year.
Susan B. Anthony Members
– Annette S. Eskind
– Marian Ott and Craig Philip
– Margie and David Parsley
Anne Dallas Dudley Members:
– Marshall Gaskins and Charlene Hunt
– Barbara and Volney Gay
– Debby Gould
– Karen and Kent Weeks
Grants
– The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
– Harnisch Foundation
