ABOUT US
Our Mission: The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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The LWV is a national organization and represented in all 50 states. This allows us to advocate for change in both the national and state legislatures. Local groups, such as this one, are the grassroots of the national and state Leagues, while addressing the particular needs of their own locales.
Voter Service and Citizen Education
We are committed to keeping the public informed so that they can be active and informed participants in government.
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Through our Voter Service committee, we:
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produce a Guide to Elected Officials (a listing of the contact information for all local, state and federal representatives),
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participate in televised and other candidate forums by writing questions for candidates,
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provide a speakers bureau to inform the public on the pros and cons of proposed constitutional amendments, and register people to vote.
Study and Action
We are also committed to studying issues thoroughly and impacting public policy through advocacy.
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Members of the local, state, and national Leagues recommend issues for study and action. Their recommendations are voted on by the membership annually. Once an issue is chosen, we determine the facts. Through study, research, and a process of consensus building, the League reaches a position.
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We then take action and lobby to effect political change.
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The League's credibility with government policy makers is based on non-partisanship and thorough study. This is also reflected in successful lobbying on League issues. Legislative Action volunteers contact our legislators about issues that the State League has determined to be our priorities.
Our Roles in the Community
League Policies
Our Diversity Policy
The League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area will promote, in all aspects of the League's activities, a philosophy of inclusion that reflects the diverse composition and issues of the community.
Our Non-Partisan Policy
The bylaws of the LWVUS state that the League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate. This policy of non-partisanship allows the League to establish a strength and effectiveness that is unique. It gives credibility to League's purpose. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each League member to guard carefully the League's reputation for non-partisanship in order to render an effective community service and maintain community confidence.
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This policy does not prohibit non-Board members from individually working for a party or candidate or from running for office under a party designation. The League urges its members, except for those serving as officers or board members, to work as individuals for the party of their choice, or office of their choice.
A Brief History
The League of Women Voters of Pensacola became chartered as a full-fledged local league (affiliated with the Florida League) in 1949. A name change to the League of Women Voters Pensacola Bay Area occured in 1963, which describes our present membership representing other towns in the Pensacola area.
The LWVPBA continues the commitment and courage of those earlier members "working to solve problems of democracy for the average citizen" paraphrasing the words of Maude Wood Park, first president of the LWVUS. The League has been the most common training ground for women who enter public office as elected and appointed officials.
Over the years, the League has provided opportunity for intellectual activity and involvement in political life. In 2006 the League lobbied Pensacola City Council to review its Charter. As a result, a Charter Review Commission was approved in 2007.
Maud Wood Park, suffragist, women's rights activist, and first president of LWVUS