The Cortland County LWV held a “Meet your elected officials” meet and greet reception in a popular Cortland
watering hole. Not enough just to get elected but more importantly to hear, in an informal and social setting,
what the constituents want from their newly elected and re-elected county and city officials.
The LWV of Tompkins County organized a panel to learn ways to identify the source and verify the truth of items offered through today’s media. They also heard about a youth-targeted curriculum that integrates media literacy and critical thinking. And, finally, heard a few of the limitations on today’s news media, including reduced funding and staff. The League is grateful to our panelists: Michael Engels, Cornell University; Chris Sperry, Project Look Sharp, Ithaca College; and Neill Borowski, Ithaca Journal.
LWV of Schenectady also hosted a panel discussion on the issue of media and news. “The Scoop on Fake News” with Rex Smith, Editor of the Times Union and Judy Patrick, Editor of the Gazette, helped attendees understand what is going on in the world of news both fake and real.
On Election Day, LWV of the Hamptons went to the graves of our Southampton and East Hampton suffrage leaders, to place the “I Voted” stickers. Our Hamptons LWV had our last 100th anniversary event, a suffrage musical revue titled “Ladies of Liberty”!
At the holiday gathering for LWV of Albany County, a presentation on “Citizenship 101: Educating Citizens for Participation in Democracy. What Does It Take?” was organized. The speakers addressed the following: What are the current NYS Education requirements for civics education, particularly for the Participation in Government (12th grade) course? How are the requirements being taught? What more is needed to prepare students for participation in democracy? How can the League facilitate authentic learning experiences?
The LWV of Rochester continued its forum series on eliminating barriers to voting with a discussion of NYS laws that inhibit the ability to actually vote. Panelists leading the discussion were Tom Ferrarese, Monroe County Board of Elections Commissioner; Jennifer Wilson, League of Women Voters of New York State, Program and Policy Director; and Scott Forsyth, Esq., Counsel, Genesee Valley Civil Liberties Union, and Member of NYCLU and LWV.
Leni Vradelis (left) and Ellen Adams participate in the recent Great American Women’s Suffrage Trivia Challenge, sponsored by the Clinton County Historical Association and the League of Women Voters of the North Country, at the American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh.
Other visible ways to celebrate the women’s suffrage centennial in NYS was with media attention. Lisa Scott, President of the LWV of Suffolk County ILO, published an article in Times Beacon Record News Media. See the
great article, entitled Making Democracy Work: Women in New York State won the vote 100 years ago next week, here: http://tbrnewsmedia.com/66726-2/
The LWV Broome Tioga co-sponsored a reenactment of the VOTES For Women Parade and Conference held in Binghamton in October 1913. We had special reenactors portray leading personalities of the period. Donna Lupardo our assemblywoman chaired the committee. Fun was had by all! (see photos below).
Great job, LWV of Rockland County. They had a huge turnout at their annual Candidates’ Forum with 8 cosponsors in the driving wind and 3 inches of rain on Sunday, Oct 29; over 250 people showed up to hear from the candidates!
