Susan B. Wilson Susan B. Wilson, a founding member of the League of Women Voters South County, was a passionate proponent for education and civic engagement. In 1964, she helped organize this local chapter of the League. When the state switched from paper ballots to mechanical voting machines, she made sure voters knew how to use the new technology. She held workshops for adults in the local schools and was tireless in her work and commitment to voter service and education. Susan espoused the values of voter education and civic engagement through her League work. A generous bequest from her estate to the LWVRI Education Fund, which provides grants for projects promoting voter service and education. assures that her values live on today. The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island acknowledges the importance of her work with the annual Susan B. Wilson Education Merit Awards . (will be linked to the LWVRI website.)

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LWVSC Executive Board Standing: Ellen Gleason, Christine Martone, Victoria Wicks, Etta Zasloff, Cathy Solomon. Seated: Maria Sekac, Nina Rossomando, Kristen Chambers Full Executive Board President: Christine Martone Vice President: Maria Sekac Secretary: Ellen Gleason Treasurer: Cathy Solomon Board Members: Victoria Wicks Etta Zasloff Joanne Haynes Kristen Chambers Mary Mazza Carol Sams

Educating Voters Our vote is our power. Through our votes, elections make our voices heard. Since women got the right to vote, the League's main focus has been to inform citizens about accessing their voting rights and learning about candidates and issues on the ballot. Informed voters are vital for electing good democratic leaders for our country, state and towns. The South County League of Women Voters serves the south county area of Rhode Island with voter registration drives, candidate forums, printed voter guides, and voter education events. Voter Registration/Education Drives The League works closely with Town Clerks and the Secretary of State's Office to register voters and inform them of upcoming elections. We table at local events throughout the area with official voter registration forms and the answers to any questions about how, where, and when citizens can vote. We never advise or question party affiliation or suggest voting for specific candidates. The League provides everyone who approaches our table with this palm card, as a reminder that voting information is always at your fingertips at vote.sos.ri.gov. Candidate Forums 2026

Protecting the Vote Voting is a fundamental principle, and all Americans deserve the equal opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy. Since 2013, when the US Supreme Court removed key protections of the Voting Rights Act in the decision of Shelby v. Holder . a surge of anti-voter bills have swept across our nation – with many being legalized in states. The U. S. Constitution clearly gives the individual states the power and responsibility to govern the voting process. The League of Women Voters South County closely monitors voter suppression policies in Rhode Island and advocates for their removal. Voter Supression in Rhode Island In 2022 the Rhode Island legislature passed the Let RI Vote Act which lifted three major restrictions on voters and increased voter turnout. RI citizens can now vote by mail without an excuse and without the signatures of two witnesses or a Notary Public. Early in-person voting that was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic was made permanent by this act. However, Rhode Island retains two major obstacles to voting, that disproportionately affect citizens of color and first time voters. We are one of the few Democratic states that require an ID to vote and a 30 day voter registration deadline. The technology today can certify an identity in seconds, making both of these barriers to voters unnecessary, except in the minds of lawmakers. READ MORE from the Center for Public Integrity, Oct. 2022

Join Us! The LWV South County is a local chapter of the LWVUS and the LWVRI. Join us to help strengthen democracy in our towns, our state, and our country. Citizen participation in self rule is vital in a strong democracy. Joining the League is a great way to play an active role in your community and in our democracy! Everyone is welcome – membership in the League of Women Voters is open to anyone 16 years or older. Our members are volunteers who work year-round to register new voters, host community forums and debates, and provide voters with election information they need. We engage at the local and state levels on legislative priorities and efforts to improve our elections and protect our democracy. For information on why joining the League of Women Voters South County (LWVSC) might be for you, what the time commitment may be, and what you will get out of being a member of LWVSC, see our New Member FAQs . Why Join? Whether you are joining for the first time, or renewing your membership, your membership dues will be paid to the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) through the Member Portal. New Members To join the League, click the Join/Renew button above to access the LWV Member Portal. Once you have joined through the portal, please also complete this New Member Interest Survey to help us direct you on how to get involved. Renewals For membership renewals: You will renew through the same membership portal as new members. Here is a step-by-step guide to renewing . Membership renewal reminders will be sent out automatically from the Member Portal before your membership expiration date. Please remember to timely renew your membership to keep from being automatically dropped from the roster after the final reminder. Dues Your annual $75 dues supports the work of the League at the national, state and local level. There is also a sliding scale option available on the Member Portal. How to Join

LWVSC Annual Events TEA FUNDRAISER I’Why a Tea? The League’s Annual Tea is “On the surface, it was just another tea party—a well-behaved group of women passing cups of brewed beverages around the genteel table of Jane Hunt, a well-to-do New York woman who had invited four others to dine with her. But this tea party was not for shrinking violets. Hunt’s guests were about to air their grievances about the world’s injustices toward women—and to give birth to the convention on women’s rights that resulted in the formation of the American women’s movement.” The LWVSC's Annual Tea, usually held in April, is a tribute to the historical significance of gatherings that have shaped civic movements. Susan B. Wilson Award ceremony Held at the Rhode Island State House, this annual ceremony recognizes three RI educators or teams for innovative civics projects in their schools. Recipients receive merit awards of: First Place: Grand Prize, $2,000 Second Place: Jury Prize, $1,000 Third Place: Honorable Mention, $500. The LWVRI presents these awards to support the value of civics education in schools and to honor Susan B. Wilson , a founding member of the League of Women Voters South County. On behalf of the LWVRI, a standing committee of LWVSC manages the award process to select and honor the state award winners. Will link to state website about the award. Women's Equality day Women’s Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. It honors the generations of women—often denied basic rights and equal pay—who fought for political representation, despite facing systemic discrimination and violence. This day reminds us that the struggle for equality did not end with the vote—and continues today. We always plan an event on or around August 26, and often it is a full feature film related to women's rights, followed by a talk back. The United Theatre in Westerly has been supporting this event as a fundraiser for the League for which we are grateful.

Advocating for the Common Good Since the founding of the League of Women Voters, we have focused on issues that voters care about. After studying a key issue and debating its merits and flaws in the context of the common good, the League reaches consensus to develop a position on the issue that supports equality and inclusion of all Americans from children to adults to senior citizens. The League has national positions on healthcare reform, the environment, the census, and immigration, The Common Good is not about coming together under the guise of false unity where everyone downplays their difference, but it’s about creating safe spaces where difference can exist while we work towards a society that is just for all.

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The League of Women Voters South County is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening democracy through voter education, civic engagement, and advocacy for fair and accessible elections. Protecting the Vote Educating Voters Advocating for the Common Good Encouraging Civic Education and Engagement