ABOUT LWV Lancaster
The League of Women Voters was founded nationally in 1920 by suffragettes from the National American Woman Suffrage Association, aiming to help women navigate their new responsibilities as voters after the achievement of suffrage. The Lancaster County League was established in 1947, led by Mrs. Clifford B. Wightman as its first President. The local League was created to foster civic education and engagement, particularly in response to the need for trusted, nonpartisan information and community leadership. Although the League disbanded around 2016, it was revived in late 2021 and formally resumed activities in February 2022, guided by legacy members and new leadership. This relaunch was driven by a desire to restore a valued civic resource for Lancaster County, ensuring the community had access to reliable information and opportunities for democratic participation. The League’s hallmark is its strictly nonpartisan stance, rigorous consensus-driven decision-making, and commitment to empowering voters, especially youth through education, advocacy, and community engagement.