DeKalb League of Women Voters Records

The DeKalb League of Women Voters officially organized on June 30, 1921 as a county-wide group, just sixteen months after the national League formed. Mrs. Hattie Morton Keene served as the first president. Four policies comprise the group’s purpose: (1) to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government, (2) to work for the adoption of legislation which will increase the efficiency of our government, (3) to educate the public politically by dispensing information on matters of voting, and (4) to publish facts about candidates while supporting none. The club often worked with other local women’s organizations to fulfill these goals. The League worked on its first project with the DeKalb Women’s Club; the groups held a mass meeting on the question of disarmament. The first money-raising event consisted of an entertainment evening held in June 1922, where members presented a one-act play, music, and readings. Other methods of fund-raising used later included bake sales, doughnut sales, rummage sales, white elephant sales, and cooking schools. In October 1924, the first “Get Out the Vote” campaign got underway. Some other firsts were a monthly newsletter, later to become The DeKalb Voter in 1945, the distribution of Know Your Town in 1955, and a booth at the DeKalb County Fair to disseminate voters information in 1968. Throughout it’s history, the League politically involved itself in a number of worthy causes. During the 1930’s members studied the merit system and civil service, equitable taxation, the city manager form of government, child labor, the need for a Pure Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act, an eight hour working day for women, and juvenile delinquency. Locally, they helped save the city park and initiated a move to create a Park District in 1935. In 1955 the League supported a referendum changing DeKalb Schools to a Unit District. And in 1968, the group brined the county citizens committee for a Constitutional Convention. The League continued to be politically active until June 30, 2005 when the group disbanded due to declining participation.

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