A Message from LWV Chicago President Jane Ruby
Fellow Leaguers and Friends,
On Saturday, June 28, we held the 2025 Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. I had the honor of delivering the opening address to the members and guests in attendance on the state of our League, as well as on the state of our democracy. I would like to share those remarks (slightly modified for print) with you now.
The Chicago League convened for its annual meeting at a time when our democracy faces grave challenges. The League of Women Voters of the United States has warned that a “constitutional crisis is in full swing [with] threats to the rule of law mounting, courts under attack, and a growing normalization of executive overreach.” The guardrails of our democracy are being tested and, in some cases, dismantled. We see it in vicious attacks on voting rights and election integrity, in the fact that the Equal Rights Amendment—which has met all the requirements to be the 28th Amendment—remains stuck in limbo decades later due to political maneuvering. We see it as well in the continued assault on truth and on the independence of our institutions.
But if anyone thinks the League of Women Voters will sit quietly by during such an assault on democracy, they are mistaken. As the Irish revolutionary James Connolly once observed: “When justice is denied, women are led to revolt.”
Now, our League’s brand of revolt may not be violent, but it is fierce. We will speak out, we will mobilize, and we willdefend our Constitution and the rule of law.
Although the League is proudly nonpartisan, it is not apolitical. Our mission compels us to stand in defense of democracy when our constitutional order is under threat. And we have faced such threats before. In the 1970s, our nation went through two years of political scandal, illegal activity, and blatant obstruction of justice at the highest levels, culminating in the resignation of President Nixon in 1974. The League of Women Voters rose to that occasion.
At the League’s 1974 national convention, then-LWVUS President Ruth Clusen addressed the crisis head-on. She declared that “the corruption, venality and arrogant usurpation of power which led to Watergate has had a deadly corrosive effect on political thought and life.” Clusen cited polling at the time showing that 66% of Americans distrusted their government, warning that if faith in our institutions was not restored, “democracy itself would be endangered.” Watergate, in the League’s view, was not just a scandal of individual misdeeds, but rather a rupture in our constitutional order that demanded systemic reform. “We must recognize and then rectify those parts of government which stemmed from flaws in a still imperfect system,” Clusen urged. And the League put those words into action.
The League mobilized at every level in the wake of Watergate. In mid-1973, even as Senate hearings were revealing hidden executive slush funds, LWVUS launched an accelerated national study on campaign finance. By January 1974—in an unprecedented move—the League adopted a formal campaign finance position just months after beginning its study. This was the first time in our history that a national position was adopted between conventions. That position called for full transparency and disclosure of campaign contributions, an independent enforcement agency, limits on contributions, and public financing of elections. And campaign finance was just one front. Watergate also exposed dangerous abuses of presidential power. The League responded by taking a hard look at the Executive Branch itself. In 1974, the League’s national convention approved a two-year study of the presidency—examining everything from war powers and emergency powers to executive privilege and the limits of presidential authority. By 1976, the League announced a new position on the presidency, calling for reining in unchecked executive power. We concluded that “presidential power should be exercised within the constitutional framework of a dynamic balance between the executive and legislative branches,” and that “unnecessary secrecy” between the president and Congress must be eliminated.
Now, a half-century after Watergate, we find ourselves once again in a period of intensifying constitutional strain. The parallels are striking. Then, it was a president who believed he was above the law; today we see growing disregard for the rule of law and disturbing flirtations with authoritarianism. Then, it was a web of secret funds and dirty tricks subverting our elections; today we see dark money, disinformation, and outright attacks on the right to vote. Once again, democratic norms and checks and balances are under corrosive attack. But if history teaches us anything, it is that we can draw strength and guidance from those who came before. The League met the moment during Watergate with courage and conviction. We can, and must, do so again. Just as our foremothers in the League did not flinch in the 1970s, we will not flinch now. This is no time to lose heart. Rather, it is a time to remember the deeper currents of our democracy and the values that have seen our nation through past crises.
Reflecting on our nation’s history offers some inspiration. Next year, 2026, marks the semiquincentennial of the United States. Two hundred and fifty years of the American experiment is certainly cause for celebration. But what many forget is that this year, 2025, is itself a milestone. We are now 250 years on from some of the most crucial events at the dawn of American independence. It was in April 1775 that the battles of Lexington and Concord were fought, igniting the Revolutionary War. In June 1775, colonial patriots stood their ground at Bunker Hill. And in the summer of 1775, the Continental Congress appointed General George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Think about that: two and a half centuries ago this year, Americans were already fighting and sacrificing for the principles of liberty and self-governance that we hold dear.
It is fortuitous that, at this time of national distress and constitutional crisis, we can look back to the time of our nation’s founding for inspiration. The Founders and the revolutionary generation had the courage to reject kingship and the tyranny of one-man rule. They made a perilous stand for a republican form of government, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to ensure that no single person could ever impose autocratic rule over this land. They won our freedom at great cost. “The Stars and Stripes, forever the emblem of a militant liberty,” as President Calvin Coolidge later said in tribute to that first American generation. Our flag stands for the idea that liberty is something worth fighting for, that it is militant in the sense that it must be actively defended and preserved. In 1775, our forebears refused the yoke of tyranny; in 2025, we, too, must stand firm and refuse to surrender our freedom or our democracy to anyone who would subvert them.
So how do we “stand firm” in practice? We do what the League of Women Voters has always done—we get to work. Here in Chicago, our League has been extraordinarily busy and effective in the past year, fighting on multiple fronts to uphold democratic principles and improve our community. I want to highlight just a few of our achievements, achievements you made possible.
First, our League has been a strong voice on critical policy issues, from environmental sustainability to good government. Our Environmental Action Committee has grown by leaps and bounds. Over the past year, League members have testified in Springfield and at Chicago’s City Hall on climate and environmental legislation, advocating for clean energy, sustainable urban infrastructure, and environmental justice for our neighborhoods. We’ve partnered with coalitions to push for greener policies, and we’ve provided public comments on plans to improve local air and water quality. In short, the League is recognized as a key environmental advocate in Chicago. We imagine a cleaner, healthier city and know that the League’s advocacy is helping bring that vision closer to reality.
Second, we have continued our commitment to informing and engaging voters through civil discourse. In the past year, LWV Chicago organized and hosted numerous candidate forums and issue forums to help voters be informed and heard. During last year’s municipal elections, for example, we held well-attended forums for candidates running for local councils. We provided neutral, well-moderated spaces where Chicagoans could hear directly from those seeking to represent them. Many of you helped time the Q&As, sort audience questions, or simply spread the word to get neighbors to attend. This is what the League does best: bringing voters and candidates together in a respectful environment focused on issues and solutions. It’s not flashy work, but it is absolutely essential for a healthy democracy.
Third, we tried some new ways to engage the public, including through arts and culture. Last September, LWV Chicago co-hosted the inaugural “Democracy at Risk” Film Festival in partnership with the Gene Siskel Film Center. Over the course of that week, we presented “four cinematic explorations of democracy’s trials and tribulations.” These films, ranging from historical documentaries to stories of contemporary struggles, sparked great conversations about the fragility and resilience of democracy. (I even had a chance to go on ABC7 television to talk about the festival!) By using film and storytelling, we reached new audiences beyond our usual circles and reminded people that defending democracy can and should be part of our broader culture.
And let’s not forget one of the most outstanding accomplishments of our League this year: our voter registration efforts. Since last summer, LWV Chicago volunteers have been attending naturalization ceremonies, community fairs, school events—you name it. The result? We registered over 10,000 new citizens as voters in the past year! Ten thousand new Americans now poised to exercise their rights at the ballot box. In fact, that number was so high that the national office, LWVUS, actually called us to ask if we’d made a typo in our report. (No typo – we’re just that good!) I think it is fair to say we are killing it on that front. Please give yourselves a round of applause for that amazing work. More importantly, remember why this work matters so much. We are doing this amid a climate where even the fundamental right to vote is under attack. Across the country, there are those pushing new restrictions that would make it harder for eligible citizens to register and vote. We’ve seen proposals like the so-called SAVE Act in Congress, which would force every voter to produce documents like a passport or original birth certificate just to register or update a registration. Experts note that millions of eligible voters lack such documentation readily on hand, meaning such laws could disenfranchise countless Americans. These kinds of measures are a step backward, undermining the very idea of equal citizenship. By registering new voters, by helping them navigate the process, we are directly combatting those anti-democratic efforts. We’re saying: No, we will not let the voice of any eligible citizen be silenced. Empowering new voters isn’t just a nice community service. It is a frontline defense of democracy. Even as we pursue policy reforms and advocacy, we must always remember that this core work—empowering voters—is at the heart of the League’s mission. That will never change.
Our successes this year have also been made possible by the generosity of our members and supporters. I want to take a moment in particular to honor the memory of a remarkable League member we lost in 2024: Margaret O’Hara. Margaret was a dedicated member of LWV Chicago for many years, known for her passionate advocacy in the field of public health. Whether it was fighting for better community healthcare or educating voters about public health policy, Margaret was a true champion for the well-being of all Chicagoans. When she passed away last fall, she left a substantial bequest to the League of Women Voters of Chicago. It was one of the most generous gifts we have ever received. Tonight, we recognize and thank Margaret and her family for this act of profound generosity and for her lifetime of service. We cherish what Margaret did for the League, and we will carry on her work with pride and purpose.
Speaking of carrying on important work: I want to update you on the League’s international engagement and our commitment to women’s rights globally and locally. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending, for the second year in a row, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York. It was an eye-opening experience to join delegates and NGO leaders from around the world in discussing the challenges facing women and girls and strategies to advance gender equality. Being at the UN as a representative of LWV Chicago was both humbling and inspiring. I saw clearly how important American civil society voices—like ours—are on the world stage, especially at a time when the U.S. government’s commitment to international institutions and agreements has wavered. The League of Women Voters, as many of you know, has a long history with the United Nations. We were there at its founding in 1945, and today the League still maintains a presence at the UN as a recognized non-governmental organization. We bring a civic, grassroots perspective that is crucial, now more than ever, as global progress on issues like gender equality, climate change, and human rights requires cooperation and advocacy beyond national borders.
One key topic at the UN this year was the status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, commonly known as CEDAW. This is an international treaty, effectively a global bill of rights for women, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. I’m sad to say that the United States is one of the very few countries not to have ratified CEDAW. For decades, American administrations and Senates have failed to take that step. But the fight is not over. In fact, local activism on CEDAW has been growing. Cities and counties across the U.S. have begun adopting local CEDAW ordinances or resolutions, bringing the principles of the treaty to bear at the local level. Already, some 80 million Americans live in jurisdictions that have adopted a CEDAW ordinance or resolution, including big cities like Los Angeles and smaller communities alike. During the LWVUS National Convention in 2024, our very own LWV Chicago delegation sponsored a resolution affirming the League’s support for the CEDAW treaty and urging action at all levels to implement its framework. I’m proud to report that the resolution passed with 99% support from delegates nationwide! In practical terms, this means the national League stands firmly behind efforts to eliminate discrimination against women, and it empowers Leagues like ours to push for local and state measures aligned with CEDAW’s goals.
So what does that mean for us here in Chicago? It means we have a clear mandate and opportunity to make a difference at home. Today, I am excited to announce that the League of Women Voters of Chicago is joining a coalition of community organizations to advocate for a CEDAW ordinance in the City of Chicago. We are working with several Chicago alderpersons who are passionate about this issue, and together we are drafting an ordinance that would commit the City to proactively advancing gender equity and eliminating discrimination against women and girls in all departments and programs. Essentially, it takes the high ideals of CEDAW—equality in education, employment, healthcare, safety, representation—and makes the City accountable for measuring progress and addressing gaps. Our coalition will be launching a public campaign in the coming months to build support for the ordinance. And here is my challenge to all of us: by the time we meet at next year’s Annual Meeting in 2026, I want to be celebrating the passage of a Chicago CEDAW ordinance! I believe we can do it. We have momentum, we have moral right on our side, and we have an historic moment. What better way to mark the semiquincentennial of the country than by strengthening the rights and freedoms of half its population? When we succeed, Chicago will stand proudly with other cities leading on gender equality, and we will send a message to our federal government (and the world) that we won’t wait for national action to do what’s right for women. I know many of you will be eager to help with this effort. Together, we will make Chicago a city that truly affirms that women’s rights are human rights.
None of the achievements I’ve described—none of our voter registrations, our forums, our advocacy victories, our exciting programs—would be possible without the people in this League. I want to especially recognize the leadership of this organization: our Board of Directors. These women and men volunteer countless hours to plan our activities, manage the behind-the-scenes work, and steer our League forward. They have been my partners in everything we’ve accomplished this past year. I also want to thank every member of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. Whether you are brand new or have been with us for decades, each of you is a vital part of our mission. You staff the voter registration tables, you research the policy issues, you ask the tough questions to keep our leaders accountable, you mentor new members, you show up on cold mornings to march for a cause. You are the League. And to our many volunteers and community partners who may not (yet) carry an official League membership card: we see you and we appreciate you. This organization thrives because it builds community and coalition.
As we prepare to adjourn this meeting and head into another year of work, I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts to carry forward. The first is about why we do what we do. We do it because we love our community and our country enough to fight for its highest ideals. We do it because we refuse to accept injustice as “just the way things are.” We do it because we know that every generation must earn and defend our democracy anew.
James Connolly, whom I quoted earlier, wrote something about women activists that resonates deeply with me when I think of our League: “Militant women who, without abandoning their fidelity to duty, are yet teaching their sisters to assert their rights are reestablishing a sane and perfect balance that makes possible a well-ordered nation.” What Connolly observed in early 20th-century Ireland, I see in our League and in our city. I see women (and men) steadfast in their duties to family, work, and community, yet who also boldly insist on your rights and the rights of others. By balancing duty and boldness, compassion and conviction, you are helping to rebalance our nation and strengthen the fabric of our democracy. That “perfect balance” may be an ever-moving target, but we move closer to it every time one of you speaks up or takes action in the name of justice.
Now, I would like to close by talking about the future. Specifically, the next generation. I have covered a lot of ground in this piece, talking about the founders of 1775, about suffragists and reformers, about all those who came before us. But now we are those who came before the next generation. As we plan our work, we must consciously lift up young voices and bring young people into this cause. Remember the words of the suffragist and democracy activist Countess Constance Markievicz: “It is to the young that a nation must look for help, and for life itself.” The youth are not just our successors; they are a source of energy and new ideas here and now. I have been so encouraged to see more students and young adults joining our League in the past couple of years, as members, interns, and volunteers. They have helped register their classmates to vote, organized candidate meet-and-greets on college campuses, and started their own advocacy on issues like gun violence and climate change. Let’s resolve to mentor them, listen to them, and yes, sometimes follow their lead. If we invest in the young, our nation will indeed find new life and strength in the coming years.
Finally, allow me to return to the theme with which I began: democracy in peril, and democracy’s defenders rising to the challenge. The League of Women Voters was born out of the struggle for women’s suffrage, a fight that required faith in the idea that our country could become more just and more equal. That same faith fuels us today. We know the road is difficult. We know the forces undermining democracy are real and determined. But look at our history, from 1775 to 1974 to 2025, and you will see that Americans, led by people of courage and principle, do find ways to right the ship and move forward. I have absolute confidence that we will.
In this room are the “militant liberties,” the clear eyes, and the passionate hearts needed for this moment. So let’s continue to stand firm, speak out, and work hard. Our nation’s 250-year story has many chapters yet to be written and, thanks to you, those chapters will include a stronger democracy, a more empowered electorate, and a more perfect union.
Thank you, all of you, for everything you do. Now, let’s roll up our sleeves for 2025–26 and keep Making Democracy Work!
Sincerely,
Jane Ruby
President