In 1920, six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, the National League of Women Voters was founded. Four years later, an organization that was previously known as the Oak Park Civic League changed its name to the Oak Park League of Women Voters.
The rest, as they say, is history. The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest Centennial is now in full swing, with historical exhibits showcasing its history in the River Forest, Oak Park, and Forest Park Public Libraries.
Also, on Oct. 20, the league will hold its Centennial Gala, a dinner at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., where it will celebrate its work educating voters and defending democracy. The event is open to the public.
As one of the two largest LWV chapters in Illinois (second only to Evanston), LOWV-OPRF encourages voters in the community to be informed on pressing community issues including tax referendums, school funding and traffic safety.
“Our local league has literally made a difference in our lives,” said LOWV-OPRF archivist Mary Ann Porucznik. “The League has been, throughout its history here, campaigning for voter education, for the awareness of participating.
In its earliest days, the League’s core concentration was spreading voter information. According to LOWV-OPRF historical records, on Oct. 9, 1924, a meeting was held during which a Republican, Democrat and LaFollett progressive informed listeners on “Presidential Nominees and Party Principles.”
This planted the League’s roots in Oak Park; 100 years later, they are still standing.
While local politics looks different than it did a century ago – Oak Park is no longer doing public health examinations at dairies – one principle remains the same: the League is non-partisan.
“The League is all about educating voters and getting people involved, not telling people what to do,” said member Carlotta Lucchesi.
Joan Petertil joined LOWV-OPRF in 2004 to support its “advocacy and educational priorities.” She has served on the board for seven years.
“It’s very interesting to work with a group of women who are like-minded for the good of the community,” she said.
But it all comes down to upholding democracy. The League is working to help voters confront and combat a democratic menace: misinformation.
With society’s fixation on the internet, Lucchesi believes that addressing misinformation is imperative.
“It’s an issue that the League is trying to help people understand,” she said. “With the internet and everything, how people edit what’s real and, you know, what’s fake.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the LOWV-OPRF held its Fall Kickoff event, “Fake News: The Evolution of Alternative Facts and the Growing Threat of Mis/dis-information” to aid local voters in evaluating their news sources, helping to ensure that their information intake is reliable.
“It was a wonderful program,” said Porucznik. “I think it’s important that people have a way to learn about the issues that isn’t polarizing.”
This is where League’s work comes in.
“[The program was] a perfect example of the League taking a current issue [and] offering some well-reasoned discussion of it, and people can ask questions” she explained.
But the real celebration – the one with seared bass, chicken breast and pasta pomodoro – is on Sunday, Oct. 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by the dinner.
Seeing as it is the League of Women Voters, the event involves local politicians.
Oak Park and River Forest Village Presidents, Vicki Scaman and Catherine Adduci, respectively, and Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins are honorary co-chairs of the event. There will also be live music, as well as a historical exhibit.
For LWV-OPRF, the centennial is a representation of its reign of accomplishments which have filled the past 100 years and established their ever-evolving legacy.
“Throughout its history here, campaigning for voter education, for awareness of the importance of participating, [doing] studies on the schools,” said Porucznik, “it’s been a really powerful force.”
While its presence is alive and well, she feels that the recognition of the League’s community impact has diminished.
“I think people have forgotten that or never realized it,” she said.
Still, their work continues to empower voters of Oak Park and River Forest, as well as the surrounding communities. They have a legacy to fulfill.
“An educated voter is a powerful voter,” said Lucchesi.
Tickets for the Centennial Gala can be purchased using this link: https://www.lwvoprf.org/centennial.html
Correction, Oct. 9, 11:48 a.m.: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of LOWV-OPRF archivist Mary Ann Porucznik’s last name. We apologize for the error.