Events
LWVLT Board and Membership
Monthly Meetings Virtual Until Further Notice
Monthly Board & Member Meetings
Join us at 7 PM online via Zoom
LWVLT MEETING DATES 2022
Wednesdays at 7 PM
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January 5
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February 2
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March 2
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April 6
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May 4
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June 1
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June (date TBD): LWVLT Annual Meeting
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No Meeting July
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August meeting TBD
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September 7
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October 5
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November 2
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December 7
Monthly Meeting Date
1st Wednesday of the Month 7pm
"What the Constitution Means to Me"
Over a dozen Lawrence League members and friends enjoyed the very timely play, "What the Constitution Means to Me," last evening at McCarter Theater.
We were especially happy to welcome Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson and her interns, Zanobia and Imani, both high school seniors. When playwright and protagonist Heidi Schrek was 15 years-old, she earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the U.S. Now in her 40s, her latest play is very personal, funny, and human. It reminds the audience that the Constitution remains relevant although it sometimes fails to protect all of us from violence and discrimination.
Here is a link to details of the Princeton performances which continue through Sunday, December 12: What the Constitution Means to Me at McCarter
For those of you unable to attend, or those who did attend, but would like to compare it to Amazon Prime's series of the same name which stars the playwright Heidi Schrek, here is a link to the broadcast version: https://www.amazon.com/What-Constitution-Means-Me-Official
Also, I'd like to personally recommend a non-fiction book about the writing of the U.S. Constitution: "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis. Published in 2000, it's a good read and helps you get to know the people and the process behind the writing of the Constitution. Although it does not address gender problems to the extent Schrek's play does, Ellis devotes a large portion of the work to the blinding racial biases and willful silence regarding slavery by the founding authors.
Early Voting on October 23,
at
the Lawrence Public Library.
Thank you to our volunteer Ellen Maack who went LIVE on Vote Early Day Instagram before her day as mother of the groom to tell the country about Early Voting in New Jersey!
Congratulations Ellen Maak and her family! Your dedication and service to our League of Women Voters of the U.S. and your community is incredible. Enjoy the wedding!
Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped on Saturday, October 23 from 11 AM to 2 PM, when our League celebrated National Vote Early Day in New Jersey. Thank you to the Lawrence Headquarters Public Library and Mercer County Board of Elections and Vote Early Day for taking part in our celebration of safe, accessible, and EARLY voting in New Jersey!
Inside, the Library you could Vote Early, in person, on a machine. Early Voting at the Lawrence Library continued from October 23 through October 31.
Voting hours were Monday-Saturday, 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
PLEASE NOTE that if you are a current Vote-by-Mail voter and have not opted out, you may still vote in person by paper provisional ballot at an Early Voting site or on Election Day instead of voting your mail-in ballot.
If you have questions about voting in person, by mail or (new this year!) early voting, we are here to help. Let’s #GOTV 2021! #VoteReady #VoteEarly #NJVotes
Lawrence Township Board of Education Candidates Night-October 6, 2021: Watch HERE
In this November's general election, six candidates are running to fill three seats on the Lawrence Township Board of Education. The field of six includes two incumbents and four challengers. Candidates presented their views and answered questions at a virtual Board of Education Forum on Wednesday October 6, at 7PM. The event is organized by the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Lawrence and was livestreamed via FBpage @LWVLT.org. The public was invited and encouraged to submit questions for the candidates in advance of the forum via LWVofLawrence@gmail.com. The two incumbents are Jo Ann L. Groeger and Kevin Van Hise. Challengers who seek election to the Board are Laura Berger, Falk Engel, Drew Greenspan and Robert Pluta. A preview of the candidates and their positions on Board of Education issues are available at www.Vote411. The website is organized by the League of Women Voters and includes a brief biography of each candidate. For more information, please visit http://www.LWVLT.org or phone 609-301-0401.
BENEFIT CONCERT
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 20214 TO 6 pm
LWVLT member and professional harpist Georganne D'Angelo performed to benefit our Youth Leadership Award program for area high school seniors. The musical theme was "The Year that Wasn't" with selections honoring Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas and Wedding ceremonies.
A huge Thank You and congratulations to Georganne for her lovely outdoor harp concert on the afternoon of October 2! Her audience of 24 so enjoyed listening to her music in her front yard. And, thanks to all those who donated (whether or not they were able to attend), $800 was raised for the LWVLT Youth Leadership Award 2022.
If you missed the opportunity to contribute to our Youth Leadership Award, you can Donate via Pay Pal HERE
If you could not attend, here is a short sample for your listening pleasure.
June 26, 2021 Annual
Meeting & Awards
Village Park, Lawrenceville, NJ
Hadi Raza
Senior Lawrence High
Noelia Martinez
Senior Trenton Central High
2021 Annual Meeting
We also honored our retiring Co-Chair and long-time Treasurer, Lois Riskin.
Here is our incoming Board of Directors:
Co-Chair: Nicole Plett & Kate Schumacher
Co-Secretary: Heather Berman & Ann Wolf
Voter Service Co-Chair: Nicole Plett & Ellen Maak
Treasurer: Marian Zelazny
Technical Director: Diane Subber
Directors: Judy Brickman, Georganne D'Angelo,
Brittany Holom-Trundy, Jennifer Pavlik, Veronica Pickering,
Elaine Rafferty, Amie Rukenstein, Joan Tomlin.
Thank You Lois For Being Our
Super Hero!
Did you miss our May 12th event?
View our latest program
Can We Make New Jersey a More Equitable Place to Live, Vote and Thrive?
Featured guest speaker Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Thank you for all who joined us. Please view the recording below.
The League of Women Voters has a long history of voter advocacy, but is known to have excluded the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), a fact that the League owns and acknowledges as part of its 100-year history. The year 2020 forced a heightened recognition of the implications of institutional racism. And this was a moment when the LWV formally committed to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Local Leagues have taken this effort seriously and have championed this commitment in practice and included the vision in their mission. The LWV of Lawrence organized and hosted this event to honor its pledge to antiracism. We welcome feedback and the opportunity to assist our members and our community grow as antiracist.
For continued learning please visit the LWV website here: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/dei-resources/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-continued-learning
Thank you for joining “Can We Make New Jersey an Equitable Place to Live, Vote and Thrive?” as we posed questions to a roundtable discussion with Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and leaders of the Black Solidarity Group of Lawrence on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7 PM via Zoom. Program members will include Kyla Allen, Jayda-Milan Parker and Kayla Phillips in a conversation about equity and inclusion in Mercer County facilitated by Dr. Simona L. Brickers of the Lawrence LWV.
View the recording HERE. Read Press Release HERE
Members of Black Solidarity at the Community Candlelight Vigil
to Honor the Many Lives Lost
October 18, 2020
at Lawrence Township Village Park
IF YOU MISSED OUR 2/17/21 PROGRAM
"New Jersey Government & Politics: What You Want & Need to Know"
Featured guest speaker Ingrid Reed
Read Press Release HERE
Watch Ingrid Reed's Presentation HERE
Click PDF Button to view slides from Ingrid Reed's presentation.
Lawrence Township Board of Education Candidates' Forum
September 30, 2020-Click on photo to view video.
2020 voter drives and "touchless voter registration" accomplished to date:
• LWV 100th Anniversary event, Trenton Free Public Library, February 14.
• Black Lives Matter Solidarity Rally, LHS, June 7.
• Generations for Change Rally, Gilpin Park, Eggerts Crossing Village, June 20.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Panel Discussion on Vote by Mail (Nicole), June 29.
• Trenton Central H.S. Graduation, July 3.
• Lawrence High School in-person Graduation Day, July 7.
• Black Lives Matter, delivered 10 packets to organizer Kyla Allen.
• Amani House (VoA, Delaware Valley), Trenton. Delivered 26 information packets with voter registration forms in English & Spanish and free Citizen's Guides, August 11.
• Generations for Change Rally, Gilpin Park, Eggerts Crossing Village, August 30.
In addition to voter rally at Eggerts Crossing Village, we have been active in distributing materials and planning collaborative activities with NAACP Trenton and the LWV of East Windsor/Hightstown. Ellen is coordinating requests for assistance from TASK and other organizations. New member Delia Downes is doing voter registration outreach to marginalized populations in Trenton with significant success.
The Governor has issued guidelines for the November 3, 2020, General Election. All registered voters will receive Mail-In ballots, beginning in early October. We anticipate a secure ballot dropbox will be installed in Lawrence Twp
2019 Voter Registration Events
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April 24, Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrence Twp.
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April 27, East Trenton Collaborative Spring Kickoff Block Party, St. Joe’s and East Trenton Avenue, Trenton
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April 29, MCCC James Kerney Campus, 102 North Broad St., Trenton
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May 1, Trenton High School West, 1001 West State St., Trenton
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May 29, STEM Civics High School, 1555 Pennington Road, Ewing
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August 6, Lawrence Township’s Night Out Against Crime, Municipal Building, Lawrence Twp.
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August 22, The College of New Jersey Connect Fest, Brower Student Center, Ewing
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August 24, East Trenton Collaborative, 601 N Clinton Ave, Trenton
2019 Voter Registration Events
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August 29, HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrence Twp.
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September 8, Puerto Rican Festival of Trenton, Trenton City Hall, 319 E. State Street, Trenton
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September 18, HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrence Twp.
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September 24, National Voter Registration Day, Trenton City Hall, 319 E. State St., Trenton
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September 26, MCCC Kerney Campus, 102 North Broad St., Trenton
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October 1, HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrence Twp.
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October 2, MCCC Kerney Campus, 102 North Broad St., Trenton
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October 6, Lawrence Community Day, Central Park, 100 Dave Nevius Way, Lawrence Twp.
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October 8, MCCC Kerney Campus, 102 North Broad St., Trenton
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October 10, Trenton Central High School, 400 Chambers St., Trenton
Passing the Suffrage Torch at the bridge in Lumberville
The Symbolic Re-enactment of the Passing the Torch Ceremony on Sunday, August 23 at the Lumberville/Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge on the NJ/PA state line was a great success. The centennial observance of winning the long fight for women's suffrage was the brainchild of Ellen Maak.
The Bucks County LWV was a great partner for this celebration and provided a great local turnout. The event was featured, in color, on the front pages of the Bucks Courier Times and the Bucks County Herald. Ellen, Nicole, Elaine, Sharon, Kyla, Pat Thompson, and Earlene Cancilla all were there for the Lawrence League.
photo by Michael Mancuso
LWV 100th Birthday
Lucy Branham addresses a crowd in 1919 during the campaign to win the vote for women
Celebrating the 100th Birthday
of The League of Women Voters!
February 14, 1920
Members of the LWV of Lawrence Township & Friends met on the steps of the Trenton Free Public Library at 120 Academy Street in Trenton to celebrate the centennial of the founding of the LWV.
The women's suffrage colors are Gold, White and Violet, and we wore our 'Votes for Women' sashes.
We honored the 150-year struggle endured by so many determined women who came before us to win the right to vote!
Inside the library you can visit our "Women Power the Vote" historical displays that tell the story of our struggle!
photo by Michael Mancuso
photo by Michael Mancuso
photo by Michael Mancuso
photo by Michael Mancuso
photo by Michael Mancuso
NJ Senate honors
LWV 100th Birthday
Monday, February 10, 2020
A gathering was held on the floor of the New Jersey Senate where a proclamation in honor of the LWV 100th Birthday was read and presented by
Senator Loretta Weinberg.
A reception followed at the LWVNJ offices,
1 PM the Senate Chamber of the New Jersey State House.
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Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Central Role in the Fight for Women’s Suffrage
Sunday, February 9 at 2 PM
Written and presented by Carol Simon Levin, co-sponsored with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society and the League of Women Voters of Lawrence Township. Through the persona of Ms. Feickert, Levin told the stories of many women activists with New Jersey ties.
The LWV of Lawrence Township
Voter Registration Events
Trenton Town Hall
Joined by the Lawrence League of Women Voters
Cassidy Stoneback (left) and Maura Freeland
Our LWVLT 2019 Youth Leadership Award Winners.
June 12, 2019 Annual Meeting & Dinner
Cobblestone Creek Country Club
Town Council members Mike Powers, left, and Cathleen Lewis, with John Ryan, Mercer County Surrogate Judge Diane Gerofsky and Mercer County Freeholder Ann Cannon
The Lawrence League of Women Voters is thrilled to announce that our LWVLT Youth Leadership Awards were given to two Lawrence High School seniors who have excelled in raising their fellow students' awareness of the importance of voting, as well as educating and registering new teenaged voters.
Our 2019 Youth Leadership Awards go to Cassidy Stoneback (right) and Maura Freeland (left) of Lawrence HS.
Over the course of their Junior and Senior years, Maura and Cassidy registered 185 new student voters at three voter registration drives at Lawrence HS in June and September 2018, and April 2019.
In December 2018, Maura and Cassidy were awarded a $500 grant from the national LWV Educational Fund for its Youth Voter Registration project. This project is designed to "engage high school, community college, and/or vocational school students in the electoral process, and to mitigate the widespread disparities in youth voting among African Americans, Latinos, and young people with no college experience." The registration locations were: Lawrence HSl, the East Trenton Collaborative Spring Street Fair, MCCC James Kerney Campus, Trenton Central HS, and the STEM Civics Charter HS in Ewing and yielded 157 new student voter registrations in Mercer County.
We are delighted to learn that Maura will attend Rowan University as part of the Honors College with a major in political science. Cassidy will enter the honors program at American University in Washington, DC next fall, majoring in CLEG (Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government). We send them both our best wishes for the future!
LHS 2019 Awards
LWVNJ 63rd Biennial Conference:
"Defending Democracy for the Next 100 Years!"
Saturday, May 4, 2019
at The Imperia Hotel,
1714 Easton Avenue, Somerset.
Nicole Plett,
Lois Riskin,
Ann Wolf,
Georganne D'Angelo,
and Ellen Maak
attended.
Youth Voter Registration Project
Cassidy Stoneback and Maura Freeland registering new voters
at STEM Civics High School in Ewing, May 29, 2019.
We are proud to announce that in December 2018, Lawrence High School students Maura Freeland and Cassidy Stoneback were awarded a $500 grant from the LWV Educational Fund for the Youth Voter Registration project. The project aims to engage high school, community college, and/or vocational school students in the electoral process, and in particular work to mitigate the widespread disparities in youth voting among African Americans, Latinos, and young people with no college experience. Registration events have taken place this spring at: Lawrence High School, The East Trenton Collaborative spring street fair, MCCC James Kerney Campus, Trenton High School -- the Trenton's STEM Civics charter school on May 29. The project has 133 new registrations thus far.
Our League's primary area of activity and success continues to be Voter Registration. From May 2018 to the present we have registered 345 voters and helped many more. In 2018-19, we held 19 additional voter registration events targeting new voters and under-served populations. These locations included Lawrence High School (three times), Lawrence Community Day, Mercer County College James Kerney Campus in Trenton, Hamilton Oktoberfest, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and New Day Ministries at Shiloh Baptist Church -- to name just a few.
Lawrence High School
Voter Registration
April 24, 2019
Mercer County Community College
Voter Registration
April 27, 2019
Trenton High School
Voter Registration
April 29, 2019
March 6, 2019 Angela Dodson
Our League was honored to host author Angela Dodson at a great public meeting Wednesday, March 6, 2019. She is seen here, seated (center) surrounded by members of LWVLT, Friends of the Library, and copies of her book, “Remember the Ladies.”
