Anne Jamison Receives 2023 Greensfelder-Elam Award

Anne Jamison received the 2023 Greensfelder-Elam Award at LWV Chicago’s Annual Meeting on June 24.

Established in 1981, the award has been presented to a member who has demonstrated extraordinary long-term dedication and effectiveness in League work. It was named after Olive Greensfelder, a child welfare activist and a charter member of the League, and Elinor Elam, a former Chicago League President who played a crucial role in identifying a budget error.

Helene Gabelnick, on behalf of Karen Sandrick (who received the award in 2022), presented the Greensfelder-Elam award to Immediate Past President Anne Jamieson, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and served as an ambassador to external communities. 

Anne Jamieson joined LWV Chicago after the 2016 election to engage in local elections and was attracted to the League's nonpartisanship and research focus. She became actively involved in League activities, including serving as the chair of the North Side Unit and organizing forums for candidates running for office. In 2019, she assumed the presidency and faced the challenges of running an organization during a pandemic. Despite the difficulties, Anne and the League successfully adapted to virtual board meetings, forums, and events, featuring notable speakers such as former mayor Lori Lightfoot and Watergate attorney Jill Wine-Banks.

The transition to virtual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed Anne to reach out to more voters through their groups and organizations in preparation for the 2020 General Election. One notable event was her virtual visit to FBI headquarters in Chicago, where she spoke about the League and its activities in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage. 

During her term as president, Anne effectively balanced her responsibilities as a full-time librarian while leading LWV Chicago. Under her leadership, LWV Chicago collaborated with 80 organizations to advocate for legislation granting voting rights to incarcerated individuals in state prisons. We also established the Committee on Civilian Oversight to promote police reform and public safety; organized programs on environmental sustainability; launched a “Zooming with the Alderman” virtual interview program, and conducted voter registration drives at various venues.

Thank you, Anne, for your outstanding contributions during your presidency!