- For an overview of LWVGB projects, goals and accomplishments, also see past issues of The Voter, LWVGB's newsletter.
- Visit this page to view the news archive for other years.
- See the LWVGB home page for the most recent news.
Updated "Government Representatives at Your Fingertips" is here!
We encourage everyone to be active participants in democracy, Of course, that means showing up and having your say at candidate forums and at the polls, but it also means speaking out to your elected government representatives at any time. We think it should be easy for you to get in touch with your mayor, a city councilman, your county commissioner, your state or Congressional representatives, or any other public official. That's why the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham is putting "Fingertips" … uhumm…at your fingertips. Use "Fingertips" often to reach out to your government officials.
Many thanks to LWVGB leaders Yvonne Brakefield and Judith Hand for their good work on "Fingertips." You've done a great service for the citizens of Greater Birmingham in updating this essential public asset!
See "Government Representatives at Your Fingertips"
Informational Session for Greater Birmingham Observer Corps a Huge Success!
Also, see "Greater Birmingham League of Women Voters Shines Light on Government" LWVGB Press Release, 3/9/2017
We welcomed about 20-25 (including representatives from Weld and Birmingham Watch) guests at Architecture Works on the 23rd. After enjoying delicious refreshments and conversation, Carol Clarke began the session by welcoming everyone and explaining that she, Jean and Haley came together to work on reviving the Observer Corps after discussing with other Birmingham community leaders that a “helpful presence” in board and agency meetings is a current, un-met need in Greater Birmingham. Jean Johnson then briefly introduced the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and explained the history of the Observer Corps and its role in board and agency meetings. Jean also described the role of an Observer and the benefits to the person observing, to the board or agency being observed and to the community at large. Finally, Haley Lewis initiated the call to action: to encourage all attendees to sign up for Observer Training, which will be spearheaded by Ann Smith, on March 15, 2017 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Architecture Works.
For more information about the Greater Birmingham Observer Corps, visit observercorps.lwvgb.org. If you are interested in attending the training, please email observercorps@lwvgb.org. We are all thrilled at the level of interest we have received thus far and are eager to revive the Greater Birmingham Observer Corps in the coming months!
Young people want to vote!
We want to help!
If you are a high school or college student who has never registered to vote, don't worry. We're on our way! Once again LWVGB Voter Service will be out in the community this Spring registering voters. We will be in several area high schools educating students about our electoral system and the importance of voting and, of course, registering eligible young people to vote! Look for more information soon.
In Memoriam to Ruth J. Wright, LWV Champion
Update: A memorial service for Ruth will be held on February 11, 2017 at 2:00 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham, 4300 Hampton Heights Drive, Birmingham, 35209. Please join us to celebrate and remember Ruth’s life.
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Dear LWVGB Members and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we report that Ruth J. Wright, Life Member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham, has passed away. She died peacefully last night, January 18, 2017, at Brookwood Hospital due to respiratory complications. She was 93 years old. Ruth was an active leader in both the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and of Alabama. She was a champion of the League and for all citizens of our community and state.
Ruth was the go-to person for LWVGB in the 1970s and '80s on the environment and conservation of natural resources. She worked to preserve our air and water quality and for wise land use. Ruth was particularly concerned about the land-transport of hazardous materials, especially nuclear materials, across Jefferson County and other Alabama counties.
In the 1990s Ruth focused on public transit in the Greater Birmingham area, and worked tirelessly, along with another League champion, Jessie Tehranchi, to try to make good public transportation available to all.
Ruth worked to improve the fairness and efficiency of local government. She was a League leader in advocating for the County Manager in Jefferson County, a position that was created in 2009 and filled in 2011 by then Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos.
These are just highlights of Ruth’s many works. There is virtually no public issue in which she was not involved. For decades she was a regular observer of the Jefferson County Commission and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and an advocate for League issues in Jefferson County and in Montgomery. Ruth participated in many local and state League studies - wrote study plans, participated in the research, and often drafted League positions following member consensus. She served on the Board of Directors of both the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and of Alabama.
We wanted you to be aware of the many, many contributions she made to the League of Women Voters, information that might not be included in her obituary. She will be deeply missed as a friend and a League colleague.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Nina Wright. We will keep you informed of any plans for a memorial service or suggested memorial gifts.
Jean Johnson
LWVGB President
p.s. This news does not pertain to Ruth L. Wright, also a champion of the League of Women Voters, who is doing well. Ruth L. Wright is a leader of the LWV of East Alabama and LWV of Alabama.
Thank you, T.K. Thorne, for sharing your personal story and research into the investigation of the 1963 bombing of the Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Thank you, also, to all members and guest swho attended the LWVGB Luncheon and shared this special time. If you missed the luncheon, read on to see what you missed. This article appeared in the December, 2016 edition of The Voter, LWVGB’s newsletter.
LWVGB Annual Holiday Luncheon
Saturday, December 3, 2016
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
The Club
1 Robert S. Smith Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Guest Speaker:
T. K. Thorne
Author of
Last Chance for Justice:
How Relentless Investigators
Uncovered New Evidence Convicting
the Birmingham Church Bombers
INVESTIGATION OF THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH BOMBING COMES TO LIGHT
Author T. K. Thorne is a compelling storyteller and a meticulous historian. That is why the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham welcomed Thorne as guest speaker at this year’s LWVGB Holiday Luncheon. The luncheon was held on December 3rd at The Club atop Birmingham’s Red Mountain.
Last Chance for Justice recounts the investigation of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 16th, 1963 in Birmingham. It is said that justice delayed is justice denied, but there were those who struggled to bring closure. Ben Herren and Bill Fleming and others worked diligently for five years to put Thomas Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry behind bars for the rest of their lives. Blanton and Cherry were two of the murderers of Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, all 14, and 11- year-old Denise McNair. Blanton and Cherry were finally convicted in 2002. Thorne also put us behind the scene in the investigation and trial of murderer “Dynamite” Bob Chambliss who was convicted of this crime in 1977. We thank T. K. Thorne for bringing these people - the four little girls, the heroes, and the vile perpetrators of this heinous crime - to life through her writing.
In the 60’s and 70’s, T. K. (Teresa) Thorne’s mother, the late Jane Katz, was a forceful lobbyist in the state legislature for the LWV of Alabama. In her honor, the “Jane Katz Public Service Award” is given each year by LWVAL to “recognize an individual or organization whose work strengthens democracy.”
Readers can learn more about T. K. and all of her books at https://tkthorne.com/books/ Get Last Chance for Justice at https://tkthorne.com/books/last-chance-for-justice/ It is a must-read for students of history and especially the struggle for Civil Rights.
We thank T.K. Thorne for sharing this history and her personal story with us, and Laura Parenteau, for making the books available to League members and assisting her sis T. K.. We also thank LWVGB member Seth Johnson and wife April Smoke Johnson for hosting this 2016 Holiday Luncheon at The Club. We enjoyed a delicious feast and a grand view of our Magic City! And thank you also to Ida Tyree-Hyche, Esq. with assistance from LWVGB VP Arlene Godwin for event photos! See more photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwvgb/albums/72157675721938252.
Thank you for voting,
Greater Birmingham!
Unofficial 2016 Election Results for Jefferson County
Official 2016 Election Results
The audit review required for certification of election results (state election result canvassing) takes place in the office each county judge of probate at 12:00 noon on the second Friday following the election. See the law: Alabama Code 17-12-15. When certified, results will be posted on this webpage.
Status of Provisional and Absentee Ballots
Did your provisional or absentee ballot count? Check this webpage.
The following election information remains posted for your information.
Are you ready for Election Day 2016?
AL candidate and amendment info. at Vote411.orgCheck all our election resources.
Get the information you need to
register, get informed, and
VOTE on November 8, 2016.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
ON NOVEMBER 8!
VOTE!
LWVAL PAY DAY LENDING STUDY & CONSENSUS
Thanks to all who attended the Payday Lending Study Public Forum and Member Consensus. The event was well attended. A report and photos will be posted soon.
Graphic complements of flickr/andrewbain
Sunday, October 16, 2016
2:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
1221 Montgomery Highway
Vestavia Hills AL 35216
2:30-3:30 p.m. Payday Lending Community Forum (open to the public)
3:30-3:45 p.m. Break and prepare for closed LWVGB member consensus building
3:45-4:55 p.m. LWVGB Membership Payday Lending consensus building (for LWVGB members only)
5:00 p.m. Conclude
The Payday Lending study seeks to present a balanced view of the arguments for and against further regulation of payday loans based on previous studies. The League of Women Voters never supports or opposes political candidates or parties. It takes positions on issues after study, discussion and consensus.
Read “Payday Lending Stores in Alabama: Facts and Issues,” the unbiased study report of the LWVAL Payday Lending Study Committee.
Members can access the complete Payday Lending Study Packet
This packet includes an overview of the League’s consensus process, “Payday Lending Stores in Alabama: Facts and Issues,” consensus questions and more. Members, please review packet materials, especially the Facts and Issues study report and the consensus questions prior to consensus taking on October 16, 2016. If you need access information, contact jjohnson@lwvgb.org.
The forum and consensus taking will be presented by Ida Tyree Hyche, Esq., LWVAL Study Committee Member and Board Director and LWVGB Member Haley Colson Lewis. The information presented will be provided by the LWVAL Payday Lending Study Committee.
What a fun evening at the
2016 LWVGB Cocktail Reception Meet and Greet!
The invitation below went out to members and guests.
See the photos at Flickr or on Facebook.
Members and guests are invited to a…
Cocktail Reception Meet and Greet
Thursday, September 22, 2016, 5:30 – 7:30 PM at
City Club Birmingham
(formerly The Summit Club)
Regions-Harbert Plaza – Suite 3100 *
1901 6th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Would you like to attend? Please email
membership@lwvgb.org
by Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham (LWVGB) and City Club Birmingham invite all League members and their guests to celebrate 96 years of Making Democracy Work® at every level of government! In 1920, the League was founded as an outgrowth of the movement that secured women the right to vote. Today, the League empowers all voters to improve their local, state and national government. LWVGB is a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization and membership is open to everyone – men and women! We invite anyone aged 16 and older to join the League of Women Voters!
MANY THANKS TO CITY CLUB BIRMINGHAM for their hospitality and for a very special City Club Birmingham membership invitation! The City Club Birmingham Board of Governors has approved a special invitation to join City Club Birmingham to all members of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and their guests. At this celebration, you will be invited to become a Member of City Club Birmingham, Birmingham’s premier private business and social club. City Club Birmingham has a long history in our community of connecting business professionals and providing opportunities to foster relationships that have lasted over 25 years.
With this preferred invitation, City Club Birmingham has approved a full waiver of the Club’s current $500.00 Initiation Fee and only a $50.00 Application Fee applies. These preferred memberships are limited and are being made available to you through September 23, 2016! Upon joining, City Club Birmingham will provide you with a “warm welcome,” a $100.00 Dining Credit! To learn more about this invitation or to visit City Club Birmingham, please contact Membership Director, Jayme Rotch at 205.252.0088 ext. 237 or jayme.rotch@clubcorp.com.
Please come to the top of the Magic City on September 22 and enjoy networking with the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham while experiencing Birmingham’s Best Kept Secret!
*Complimentary Parking is available in the Regions-Harbert Plaza Parking Garage.
Visit LWVGB online at www.lwvgb.org
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“Dog Days of Summer”? Not! It’s a busy time for LWVGB voter registrations and election education.
CEASE FIRE BIRMINGHAM is an initiative of "comprehensive strategies to strengthen and educate communities and implement various methodologies to reduce violence where we Live, Work, Worship and Play." The work is happening in Birmingham public housing communities with CAFE (Community and Family Enrichment) Days. On Aug. 13, 2016, LWVGB participated at the kick-off event in Elyton Village with a well attended voter registration booth. Thank you Christopher L. Burrell, Esq. for inviting LWVGB to participate.
On Aug. 19, 2016, LWV of Greater Birmingham and Alabama visited the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) to present a Voting and Election Workshop. Despite the rainy day, this event was well attended. We were pleased to educate the group about elections and the importance of voting and to answer questions. We were particularly pleased to register some older voters who had never voted.
Ragland Blue Devils rock! The students at Ragland High School were excited to register to vote on May 11, 2016! We registered during lunch outside of the cafeteria and then in the classroom. Thank you to Ragland HS Principal Roy Bliss and Counselor Mary McCullars for welcoming us into the school. Thank you to Voter Service volunteers Maggie Howard (VS Co-Chair), Jean Johnson, and Chris Underwood for working with the students! And thank you to Pete Johnson for making the arrangements to host our team! See all the photos.
Thank you Outgoing President Ida Tyree-Hyche, Esq. and all LWVGB members! YOU made it happen in 2015-2016!
And then it was time for the...
LWVGB Annual Business Meeting
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Dinner 5:00 p.m.
Business 5:30 p.m.
Sweet Tea Restaurant
2205 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Thank you to all who attended the LWVGB 2016 Business Meeting at Sweet Tea Restaurant!
At our Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, April 28, we adopted a new budget, re-adopted program for 2016-2017 and elected new members of the board. (No bylaws changes are recommended.)
We are very grateful to the outgoing board members - President Ida Tyree-Hyche, Treasurer Michael O’Donnell, Director Connie Arnwine, and Director Barbara Powell - for their leadership and so many accomplishments in 2015-2016. They and YOU, all our League members, have been a busy bunch this year! To get an idea of what your League has been up to, have a look at this little slide show “LWVGB Year in Review: 2015-2016” above. You can share it with this link: https://youtu.be/qjlnH2D1d3k
The new board is excited to begin work! Continuing on the board are Jean Johnson as President, Arlene Godwin as Vice-President, Starr Culpepper as Secretary, Margaret “Maggie” Howard as Director, and Nancy Sales as Director. We welcome new board members Treasurer Rev. Albert Hyche and Director Mikesha Harvill. See the end of this message for names and full contact information for your new board. You are always welcome to attend board meetings. Feel free to contact any board member to volunteer and to make suggestions for how we can “Make Democracy Work” better in the Greater Birmingham community! We also thank outgoing President Ida Tyree-Hyche for accepting the position as Chair of the 2016-2017 Nominating Committee.
To read more about the business conducted by the LWVGB, see the Business Meeting booklet available to members.
Pictures from the Business Meeting will be posted soon.
