Helene Lecar

The League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville’s Board of Directors overwhelmingly voted in favor of renaming  its internship program for area high school and college students to the “Helene Lecar Civic Engagement Program” in honor of Helene, who gave so much to the community, to the League and loved working with young people.

“Former League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville (LWVBAE) and Bay Area League President, Sherry Smith, suggested during the Annual Meeting that the new Board honor Helene’s generous donation to support youth programming by naming it after her,” President Kandea Mosley Gandhi said. “ It was the least we could do for  such a kind, loving, and big-hearted gesture.”

The name change was approved at a fall 2022 Board meeting as the internship program picked up again for the new semester, with high school interns focused on healthcare system reform, voter service, climate and communications during the busy election season.

“We want to broaden our work to not only include internships, but also the developing youth council, and fellowships for older students,” Gandhi said.”After the election, more reflection and planning will be invested; we will also continue brainstorming possibilities and reviewing best practices.”

To learn more about Helene and the mark she made as an active, dedicated member, and fierce advocate for the most vulnerable among us, read the article former LWVBAE President Nancy Bickel wrote as a celebration of life and obituary in honor of Helene  here.