Who We Are

about us

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. Remaining Nonpartisan in Hyper-partisan Times.

We are the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, a local chapter of the League of Women Voters of New York State and the national League of Women Voters.

The League of Women Voters encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

League Statements:

  • Mission Statement: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

  • Vision Statement: We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.

  • Value Statement: We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

“Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be accepted within the League, including but not limited to race, socio-economic status, age, ability status, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or marital status. The League is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community and our members. The collective sum of our individual differences and life experiences represents not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's mission and achievements as well.” Adopted by the LWVUS Board 1/21/24.

History

Since 1920 we have been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that voters should play a critical role in democracy. 

The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle. The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County held its organizing convention at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs in June of 1920. It was there that Kathryn Starbuck of Saratoga Springs was elected as the first chairperson of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County. The current Saratoga County League was reestablished in 1965 by Betty Gallagher, our modern day founder.

The League began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. It encouraged them to use their new power to participate in shaping public policy. From the beginning, the League has been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan organization. League founders believed that maintaining a nonpartisan stance would protect the fledgling organization from becoming mired in the party politics of the day. However, League members were encouraged to be political themselves, by educating citizens about, and lobbying for, government and social reform legislation.

This holds true today. The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. The League has a long, rich history, that continues with each passing year.

History of the current League of Women Voters of Saratoga County