I am excited to begin my 2-year term as President. I have been involved with the League of Women Voters for 5 years, a newcomer in some circles. During this time, the League has been fortunate to have had strong leaders who worked hard to move the organization forward while staying true to its mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. I am ready to follow their lead and build on the legacy of an organization that has been impacting the San Antonio community for 85 years!
I spent the early part of my childhood in Grand Prairie, Texas. There was nothing grand about the town back then, and if it once had been a prairie, it no longer was. Urban flight and sprawl had begun, and the grasslands had long receded into a distant memory. We lived on a hill with a retaining wall in the backyard. In my mind, the wall’s usefulness was limited to its heat during the summer months, which I spent outdoors almost exclusively, making mud pies! The wall’s flat surface, together with the radiating summer heat, made for an excellent oven to cook my dirt concoctions. Occasionally, my pies got spiced up with items from the kitchen. Those long, hot summer days taught me that getting my hands dirty was fun! And I still love it!
I hope you will join me this summer as we embark on a Summer of Action. As the name implies, LWVSA plans to mobilize our community to fight back against the anti-democratic actions taken by government officials through civic engagement, education, and collective power. We will remain nonpartisan while addressing critical issues. Defending democracy is not partisan.
As you read through this newsletter, you will find there are ways for everyone to be engaged this summer. If you are new or want to become more involved, there are opportunities to learn more about the League’s work and its very active committees. If you are ready to take the next step, we have volunteer opportunities. Another great way to be supportive is to follow us on social media and share the League’s posts with friends.
We have work to do. Let’s get our hands dirty!
Jill