Feb. 22-March 1 proclaimed LWV Making Democracy Work Week
Ninety years ago, Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed a League of Women Voters to "finish the fight" and work to end all discrimination against women.
And so the League of Women Voters was founded on Valentine's Day in 1920, six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
On Monday, Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray signed a proclamation naming Feb. 22 to March 1 as League of Women Voters making Democracy Work Week in Greencastle.
League member Ann Newton has been a member since 1958. She joined the group one year after it's start in Putnam County.
"I'm probably the only original member left," joked Newton during the signing of the proclamation.
Today, the grassroots organization has more than 150,000 members and supporters and 850 Leagues throughout all 50 states. It is widely known for its voter education effort and expertise in critical issues such as health care reform, global climate change and many others.
The Mayor's proclamation states, "Greencastle has benefited tremendously from the countless volunteer hours donated by league members over the long history of enhancing our democracy nationally since 1930 and locally since 1957."
It goes on to "urge all Greencastle residents to pay tribute and respect to the league of Woman Voters as for all they do to make our community healthy, vibrant and strong."