League of women Voters celebrates its 90th birthday

The League of Women Voters turned 90 years old on Sunday--and the Decorah chapter, the League of Women Voters of Upper Iowa, is celebrating the anniversary.

Local chapter president Pat Johnson say the anniversary holds special meaning to her: "My mother, Cicely Joslyn, was an active member of LWV for most of her adult life (70 years) and she often said that League participation helped increase her understanding of complex issues and her confidence in voting."

The Upper Iowa chapter has sponsored a number of events, including a city candidates forum, lunch meetings on health care reform and climate change and a meeting with state legislators to discuss issues of priority for the 2010 session.

League of Women Voters members were also active in lobbying for an increase in the state cigarette tax. This tax was finally increased by the Iowa legislature in 2007 and, in 2008, the Smoke Free Air Act was passed. According to a recent report by the University of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health, these actions have resulted in significant decreases in the number of hospitalizations for coronary heart disease.

For more information about the local League of Women Voters chapter, contact Pat Johnson at (563) 382-3829 or Nancy Bolson at (563) 382-2409 or log onto www.lwvupperiowa.org.