About Us

For over 120 years, the League has been a powerful, grassroots organization that works to educate voters and make our government more accountable to the people. Below you'll find our Mission and Vision, Nonpartisan Policy, DEI Policy, History, and Board of Directors.

Our Mission

Empowering voters. Defending democracy.

Our Vision

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

Nonpartisanship

The League will not support or oppose any political party or candidate. Learn more about our nonpartisan stance from Nonpartisanship Explained.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.

History

The League of Women Voters of the United States was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in February, 1920, six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The League began as a mighty political experiment designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. It was only expected to exist for 3 to 4 years, but the fascination and challenge of the many timely issues was too strong and the League continued.

The North Dakota Votes for Women League officially became The North Dakota League of Women Voters in April 1920 at a convention held in Fargo. The League grew starting in the early 1950s, led by the efforts of women such as Katherine Rogne of Kindred, who traveled around the state organizing local League chapters.

The local chapters grew and flourished in the 1960s & 1970s. In the 1970s, the League began its effort to achieve a national Equal Rights Amendment. Many of our local leaders got involved in the League during the effort to pass the ERA.

In North Dakota, local League chapters have hosted candidate, legislative and issues forums for many years. The North Dakota League has also produced nonpartisan voters' guides covering all initiated measures on the ballot.

The North Dakota League has been growing in recent years due to an increase in our programs, including our statewide VOTE411 voter guide, election observation, and legislative advocacy focused on the right to vote. For more on the history of the League in North Dakota, visit our resource page.

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