The Queen Anne's County League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of national, state and local public policy through education and advocacy.
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Check out our latest newsletter by selecting the 'Newsletter' link !
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Congratulations to Mary Campbell, recognized at the LWVMD 2023 State Convention for her contributions and dedication to the League of Women Voters and many other community efforts.
LWVMD established the 2023 Annette and Malcolm Funn Recognition Awards to outstanding League members. Malcolm and Annette were involved in many groups and organizations and their civic contributions helped make society better for all people.
Mary Campbell was nominated by the Board of the LWVQAC:
Retiring from a career in education in the Washington, DC area, Mary Campbell, along with her husband, became a permanent resident of Queen Anne's County in the late 1990's. As an independent school teacher, administrator, and board member, Mary had worked effectively with the Black Student Fund to increase diversity in her school. Activism for justice remained in her blood, however, and in Queen Anne's County Mary soon convened a citizens' alliance seeking to elect persons of integrity to County office who would protect the rural character of the County from threatening sprawl development. Her work for ethical governance as chair of the County's Ethics Commission resulted in an official "investigation" of her and her Commission colleagues. Remembering her great-"Aunt Pauline" Adams (d.1957) who had persevered through solitary confinement at Occoquan for picketing the White House in pursuit of women's suffrage, Mary rallied support from several quarters, and by 2006 Queen Anne's County had gone from having the weakest ethics code in Maryland to having one of the strongest for a small county. By this time Mary had taken the lead in founding the local Queen Anne's County League with the goal of informing citizens through Voters Guides and public forums. She also began lengthy periods of service on the boards of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Queen Anne's County Library. In 2016 she and her son John published Life Isn't So Sweet As It Used To Be: An American in the Great War, a collection of the wartime writings of her uncle, Maryland Senator Millard W. Tydings. In 2023, at age 83, Mary remains active with the LWVQAC and as president of Ethics Matters Inc., the nonprofit watchdog she founded.
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LWVQAC Annual Meeting 2023
The Queen Anne's County League of Women Voters had their Twentieth Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Prospect Bay Country Club, Grasonville, MD. New officers and Board members were elected by the members in attendance followed by dinner and a presentation by the key speaker, Sheriff Gary Hofmann. Sheriff Hofmann spoke about Keeping our Schools and Community Safe. His presentation was very timely and enthusiastically received by the audience.
President Patricia Jamison opened the program with a summary of events and accomplishments of the past year. The photo on the right shows President elect Elizabeth (Liz) Hammond as she accepts the position and sets goals for the newly elected officers and Board for the coming year.
QAC Sheriff Gary Hofmann spoke about the safety issues and measures being taken in Queen Anne's County to keep everyone safe. Sheriff Hofmann showed in depth how our schools are protected and how citizens who find themselves in dangerous situations can be proactive in defending themselves and others.
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Forums
October 2022
A Forum was held for the District 1 House of Representatives Congressional Candidates on Thursday, October 27, 7 pm, in the Kent Island High School Auditorium. This forum was presented by the Leagues of Women Voters of Kent, Mid-Shore, and Queen Anne's Counties and can be viewed on the LWVQAC Facebook page.
The League of Women Voters of Queen Anne's County held General Election candidate forums, the first was for QAC School Board Candidates on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at 7 pm, the second was for QA County Commissioners on Thursday, October 13, 2022, starting at 7 pm. The location for both was the Planning and Zoning Room, Vincit Building, 110 Vincit Street, Centreville. Please access both at QACTV/Facebook.
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Voter Registration/Education Events
National Voter Registration Day
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
National Voter Registration Day, observed on a Tuesday in September, is a nonpartisan civic holiday in the U.S. creating broad awareness of voter registration opportunities and celebrating the democracy.
The League of Women Voters of Queen Anne's County took part in this special day by having information, materials, and a physical presence at 3 schools in Queen Anne's County - Chesapeake College and the two QAC High Schools, Centreville and Kent Island. Here are some pictures of our League volunteers helping with questions and information about voting.
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Kent Island Days
May 20, 2023
League of Women Voters of Queen Anne's County had a table at the Kent Island Days on a beautiful Saturday on May 20, 2023. With the help of volunteers, many attendees stopped by to find out about the League of Women Voters. Free handouts included the current Guide to Government Officials for Queen Anne's County, copies of the US Constitution, reusable grocery bags, and fun stuff for the kids!
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The LWVQAC had a table at Make A Difference Day, November 5, 2022, 9 - 1.
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Want to Volunteer?
Help with Voter Registration
Other Opportunities to help with Voter Registration include Kent Island Farmers Markets, and other upcoming events. For more information click on the above Volunteer link.
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Movie: The Vote for Women
Produced and directed by our LWVQAC President, Dr. Patricia Jamison, and QACTV Station Manager George Harvey, this YouTube video includes our own Founding Board Members Mary Campbell and Joyce Woodford. Mary and Joyce relate personal experiences of their ancestors in the fight for Voter Rights for Women!
This is the story of the role of the suffragettes in the passing of the 19th Amendment and the founding of the League of Women Voters (LWV), as told through stories of women whose ancestors had to struggle for voting rights. The public needs to be reminded of what the suffragettes fought for and why the LWV was founded, to ensure that voters are informed when they go to the polls to vote. Empowering voters defends democracy and democracy is worth fighting for!