League of Women Voters (LWV)

History: On October 9, 1926, the Athena and Brooks Literary Societies voted to merge their two organizations to form a Duke University student chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV). Mary O. Cowper, then regional director for the National League of Women Voters (and connected to Duke University through her husband, Frederick A.G. Cowper, a French professor), helped to direct the activities of the student chapter. The organization's first few years were strong ones, but the group seems to have dissolved sometime during the 1929-1930 academic year. A November 23, 1932 Chronicle editorial encouraged the revitalization of the chapter, noting the appeal of the league's non-partisan stance and the likelihood of support from the sizable number of prominent League of Women Voters members living in Durham. Four months later, on February 23, 1933, interested students met with Constance Roach, the league's organizer of college chapters, and made plans to elect a new round of officers. The Duke chapter continued to meet and plan activities through at least the 1935-1936 academic year though little information on when or why the group disbanded is available.

Activities: The Duke chapter of the League of Women Voters focused much of its efforts on providing programs intended to educate their fellow Woman's College students on the voting process and the ins and outs of local, state, and national government. They also maintained close connections with the State League of Women Voters, most notably writing and performing a skit on the North Carolina voting process at the February 1930 convention of the State League of Women Voters. "The stage was furnished with voting booths and boxes, representing the voting scene. Eleven Duke girls, dressed as men -- policemen, laborers and gentlemen -- appeared for voting. In a most amusing way they illustrated typical difficulties, ways in which help is given voters, etc. Prolonged applause from the audience showed its appreciation and amusement."¹

Nationwide: Founded in February 1920, a few months before the passage of the 19th amendment would grant women the right to vote, the League of Women Voters is a national, non-partisan organization dedicated to education and advocacy for voting rights, citizen participation in government at all levels, and public policy. North Carolina's League of Women Voters organization was founded in 1920 as well. As with the Duke chapter, membership in the national organization saw a significant decline, due to the Great Depression and the start of World War II.

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^{1. "Raleigh Woman Head of League: Miss Elsie Riddick Named President of State Organization of Voters." Raleigh News and Observer, February 13, 1930, p. 11.}