History

For over 100 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, Vision, What We Do, Nonpartisan Policy, DEI Policy, History, and Board of Directors.

Two women hold protest signs outside a public building reading “Voting Is People Power” and “Vote Baby Vote.”

For over 100 years, the League has been a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.

The League was officially founded in Chicago in 1920, just six months before the 19th amendment was ratified and women won the vote. Founded by leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, the League began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters.

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 in North Dakota 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, and 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.

For many years, local League chapters have hosted candidate, legislative, and issue forums, and the state League has produced nonpartisan voter guides covering initiated ballot measures.

Recently, our membership and presence has grown across the state due to an increase in programs, such as our statewide voter guide on VOTE411.org, 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.

The League of Women Voters has evolved from a mighty political experiment designed to help 20 million newly enfranchised women vote in 1920, to a nonpartisan organization that is a recognized force in improving our elections, shaping public policy, and promoting informed civic participation. To join us in our next 100 years, become a member today.