League of Women Voters active, diverse

The name of the League of Women Voters might mislead some to think the organization excludes men.\nBut men were given the opportunity to participate in the organization in the 1970s. \nThe name was not altered after the addition of male members because of the group's history, an executive member said. \n"The league felt it historically needed to remain because of the hard fight women put forth in order to get the right to vote," said Nancy Lumley, vice president of the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. \nThe League of Women Voters was created during a National American Women Suffrage Association convention. Six months later, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women the legal right to vote. \nThe League of Women Voters has remained active in Bloomington, Indiana and at the national level in Washington since its establishment. \nJoyce Pace, president of the Bloomington and Monroe County sector, said the league's foremost intention is to "inform the public on various political issues as well as get women to vote." \nMatters pertaining to natural resources, social policy, international relations, health care and representative government are addressed by the nonpartisan organization, according to the group's Web site. \nWith about 130 members, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County is the largest league in the state in terms of membership, Lumley said.\nPace presides over the meetings, acts as an official spokeswoman for the league and works with the board formulating the direction of the organization. That direction is based on local, state and national issues that need attention. \nOn a national level, the league is focusing its efforts on the problems that existed in the last presidential election. Locally, concerns about Lake Monroe and security of the water source are being examined. \nThe League of Women Voters encourages college students to get actively involved as well.\n"As strong as the diversity of ideas is, we need a diverse number of ages," Lumley said.