[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EQUAL SUFFRAGE LEAGUE 
               AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF VIRGINIA

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the 100th anniversary of Equal Suffrage League and its successor 
organization, the League of Women Voters of Virginia.
  On November 20, 1909, at 4:00 in the afternoon, a meeting was held in 
the Richmond home of Mrs. Anne Clay Crenshaw. The purpose of this 
meeting was to lay the groundwork for an organization that would 
dedicate its efforts to the women's suffrage movement in Virginia. This 
organization was called the Equal Suffrage League (ESL).
  The ESL was not the first organization formed in Virginia with the 
goal of granting voting rights to women; at least two and perhaps three 
other organizations had been formed in prior years between 1870 and 
1900. But where the prior organizations faded, the Equal Suffrage 
League was able to maintain its passion and direction and continue the 
battle for women's suffrage.
  The Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote was 
ratified in August, 1920. Mrs. Anne Clay Crenshaw, at whose home the 
first ESL was held, wasted no time and registered to vote just days 
later on September 9, 1920.
  On November 20, 1920, exactly 11 years after its founding, the Equal 
Suffrage League officially changed its name to the League of Women 
Voters of Virginia. Since that time, the League of Women Voters of 
Virginia has continued to expand its involvement and increase the 
involvement and participation of women in many areas including 
candidate and issue information, voting guides and laws, advocacy and 
public issues. There are now 12 local leagues and three Member at Large 
Units in the Commonwealth of Virginia, all of which continue the work 
of involving women and ensuring that their voices are heard.
  The League of Women Voters of Virginia understands and promotes the 
fact that when women are informed, they become engaged; when they 
become engaged, they vote; and when women vote, they get results.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
League of Women Voters of Virginia on the occasion of this anniversary 
and also to thank the League of Women Voters of Virginia for their 
tireless work on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of 
Virginia.

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