Sunday, June 26th concluded the 55th League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) National Convention. This was the League’s first hybrid Convention, with 1000+ members from all 50 states joining both virtually and in-person in Denver, CO.

Notably, the 2022 Convention coincided with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion. In her opening remarks, LWVUS board president Dr. Deborah Ann Turner reflected on her experiences as an obstetrician/gynecologist and the League’s dedication to reproductive justice.

“We hold the power to create a more perfect democracy. Women’s rights are human rights, and we will continue to fight until the right to abortion is restored,” Dr. Turner stated. “This is the work that the League of Women Voters does…We fight for our freedom. And that’s why we are here today at the Convention.”

Dr. Turner closed by announcing the League’s next “moonshot” goal: abolition of the Electoral College. The League has long supported this goal due to the college’s racist history and many shortcomings.

Friday evening, Convention attendees joined Denver activists in marching to the Colorado State Capitol Building and rallying for abortion justice.

Thoughtful action remained a focus throughout the Convention. On Thursday, June 23, a panel of women leaders in the voting rights and social justice movements spoke to the ways in which women can power democracy. Please see the panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfotLPwQMJM.

The League also shared its 2020-2022 biennium report, which showcased the League’s impact over the past two years.

Throughout three days of plenary, delegates elected the 2022-2024 LWVUS Board of directors. Dr. Deborah Ann Turner was once again elected as board president, a role she has held since 2020.

Delegates also voted on several motions, including the LWVUS budget and various bylaws amendment proposals. Read the decision summaries.

Delegates had the opportunity to attend dozens of workshops and caucuses throughout the Convention on topics as diverse as mis- and dis-information, activating young voters, using OutreachCircle, and more.

Please see the 2022 Convention Daily Briefing that includes the program that was adopted. https://www.lwv.org/league-management/council-convention/2022-convention-daily-briefing Significantly, delegates voted in favor of a concurrence with the LWV of New York’s Health Care Update. Also, they approved a concurrence with the LWV of California’s Criminal Justice position.

The 55th Convention was a time of community, action, and inspiration. It reminds us of both the urgency of our work and the power of our members to create a more perfect democracy. The next two years will determine the course of our nation; as Dr. Turner said, we will “keep on keeping on.”