LWVO: 1924 to 2024
Highlights from Across The Years
1920s
OCTOBER 3, 1924
Oakland Forum (predecessor to LWVO) founded
Founded as the Oakland Forum "to create an informed, investigated, and active electorate along strictly non-partisan lines."
Mission as described in Oakland Outlook article announcing formation of Forum: "...giving women of the Eastbay an opportunity to hear speakers of the country discuss timely topics without having to cross the Bay; to encourage local women to take greater interest in government, education, child welfare; and to give helpful cooperation in the improvement of all public institutions."
1930s
1930
The Oakland Forum and the Eastbay League of Women Voters separate
The Oakland Forum of the League of Women Voters splits into the Oakland Forum and the Eastbay League of Women Voters.
"The league will be county-wide in its work, the program of the National League of Women Voters will be carried out, separate from the activities of the Forum."
1935
The Eastbay League changes its name to Oakland League of Women Voters
The Eastbay League of Women Voters changes its name to the Oakland League of Women Voters.
“We feel that from every standpoint it is better to give our league the name of the community in which most of its work and membership is concentrated,” said league president Mrs. F. L. Burckhalter.
1940s
May 1940
Milk Ordinance
The Oakland League celebrates the city council’s passage of a milk safety ordinance strongly advocated by league members.
Hailed as one of the most sweeping regulations of its kind in the country, the measure required that all liquid milk products be made with Grade A milk from sealed and approved containers.
“Our organization stands for the protection of the health of our children,” said Mrs. W. L. Forward, a league officer and leading proponent of the new safety guidelines.
September 1940
School for Voters
Invites the public to an all-day School for Voters devoted to a full discussion of measures on the November ballot. Over the years LWVO’s Speakers Bureau has continued to make pro/con presentations on ballot measures, fostering an informed electorate.
1942
Distributes Wartime Information
League members distribute 1,000 broadsides (posters) throughout the community exploring wartime issues such as:
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“What is Rationing?”
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“Why Buy War Bonds?”
Another poster offers an explanation of the Lend-Lease Act.
April 1947
League Studies Plight of
War Refugees
October 1947
League Studies Nuclear Issues
1948
League Opens U.N. Workshop
1950s
1953
Report on Oakland's Government
Published its first report on the Oakland Government.
Over the years, LWVO produced and updated a “Guide to Local Government”, which was used as a reference in Oakland schools.
Currently, the League publishes “Who Represents Oakland” after each election.
1960s
1966
Report on Oakland's Government
LWVO studied programs and policies for providing housing for low income families. The league published housing bulletins to provide information on public housing and related programs
1970s
1975
Report on Checks and Balances in the
Federal Government
League publishes checks and balances in the federal government.
1980s
1982
KTVU and LWVO partner for Election '82
1990s
1996
Public Ethics
Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission is established by a voter approved charter amendment largely inspired by the League.
1997
Transparency in Government
Oakland’s Sunshine Ordinance: The League tackled this issue starting in 1995-96, and brought it to a successful vote of the City Council this year.
It recognized that:
"Commissions, boards, councils, advisory bodies and other agencies of the City exist to conduct the people's business. This Ordinance is intended to assure that their deliberations and that the City's operations are open to the public".
2000s
2006
Local Voter Guide
The Oakland Easy Voter Guide was first published in English, Spanish and Chinese. Hundreds of thousands of copies have been distributed since then.
Ranked Choice Voting
LWVO advocated in support of Alameda County Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for the election of city/school board. RCV was implemented for the 2010 election.
2010s
2012
First Voter Registration Drive in HS
First registration drive in Oakland High Schools. Since then, we have registered thousands of students through our YOUth Decide committee.
2014
Redistricting
Supported an independent redistricting commission and participated in writing the 2014 Oakland ballot measure that voters approved. Has since closely monitored the work of the Redistricting Commission.
First Videos of Pros & Cons
First videos of the pros & cons of local ballot measures. About 50 have been created since then.
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Below is recent example of a pros & cons video:
2020s
2022
Campaign Finance
Oakland voters approved the Fair Elections Act (FEA) to introduce Democracy Dollars to Oakland - an innovative approach to campaign finance reform that LWVO strongly advocated and supported.
2024
LWV0 Celebrates 100 Years
October 13th, 2024, marks 100 years that the League of Women Voters of Oakland has empowered voters and defended democracy. Over the last century, we’ve fought for election protection, democratic reforms, and equal access to the ballot—all while maintaining our commitment to nonpartisanship and fostering an informed electorate. As we look into our next hundred years, we aim to build power for the next generation of women leaders and voting rights activists.
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Please join us!