About LWV

The League of Women Voters is committed to making democracy work across the country and around the world. Join us in educating and encouraging men and women to be active citizens and address the issues that affect our lives - civic engagement, education, health care, and our natural resources.

LWVUS & LWVSC - Impact on Issues 

Leagues across the country contribute to the positions the League adopts for action in Washington, DC, and in statehouses across the country. LWVUS meets in convention every other year and finds consensus on the positions.

Current Board Members

Officers
President: Jan Benjamin
Directors of Program: Linda Bilanchone & Karen Mitchell
Director of Membership: Deb Shelley
Secretary: Allison Read
Treasurer: Susan Turregano

Board Members
Darcell Davis-Williams, Peyton Harvey, Tammie Holbert, Becky Slayton, Ruth Stanton
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Voter Services Co-Chairs: Mary Ann Deku & Ruth Stanton

Mission, Core Values and History

Our Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

Our Core Values
  • We are a nonpartisan political membership organization. 
  • We believe that grassroots initiatives and consensus building are our strengths. 
  • We believe that our organization models the principles of good governance. 
  • We consider well before taking action and prepare well before beginning to act. 
  • We believe that citizenship requires knowledge as well as the ability and will to act. 
  • We believe that the responsibility of good government rests on the shoulders of its citizens. 
  • We believe that the rights of citizens at home and abroad are interdependent.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. They are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity. This is both our national and local policy.
Our By-Laws
approved_lwvs_bylaws_-_revised_2026-05.pdf
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​Our National History 
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) was founded in 1920 at the final meeting of the Women’s Suffrage Association after the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  After the 72-year struggle to win women’s right to vote, LWVUS was formed to urge women to vote and become knowledgeable about political issues. In 1974, restrictions to full membership based on gender were eliminated.

Our Local History
The League of Women Voters of Spartanburg County (LWVS) was organized in 1975 by the Junior League’s Public Affairs Committee at a meeting on March 18, 1975, attended by 47 people. The group undertook a community survey of Spartanburg County.  A month later, after the survey was completed, there were 62 paid members and LWVS began its work. Candidates’ forums were held.  A guide to Spartanburg County was published. In 1977, we produced the study, The Use of Revenue Sharing and Community Development Money by the City and County. In 1977-78, a study of the corrections system was carried out, resulting in a position supporting alternatives to incarceration and a pre-trial diversion program. Next came a study of the availability of housing for low-income people that turned into a thorough study of public housing which at the time was not living up to the standards found in other counties across the state. Over the years, the Spartanburg League has entertained and educated several groups from other countries who were studying how our democracy works. LWVS continues its work with ongoing, regular voter registration, informative public meetings, encouraging recycling, and seeking air quality improvements, especially around schools.

Past Presidents, LWV of Spartanburg County

2026-present Jan Vazquez-Benjamin
​2024-2026 Becky Slayton
​2021-2024 Ruth Stanton
2019-2021 Karen Mitchell
2018-2019 Mary Ann Washington Deku
2017-2018 Mary Ann Washington Deku & Kathy Ellis

2015-2016 Linda Bilanchone & Dee Goforth

2009-2012 Mary Ann Washington Deku
2007-2009 Dianne Fergusson
2006-2007 Linda Powers Bilanchone
2005-2006 Rose Mary Ritchie
2003-2004 Marlene Saad
2002-2003 Bea Bruce
2000-2002 Mary Lynn Conway
1998-2000 Jacqueline Rollins
1997-1998   Kathleen Kempe & Karen Mitchell
1996-1997   Linda Powers Bilanchone
1995-1996   Alice Henderson
1994-1995   Linda Powers Bilanchone
1992-1994   Peggy Bain
1990-1992   Peggy Romine
1988-1990   Alice Claggett
1987-1988   Mary Lynn Conway
1986-1987   Nancy Harrison
1985-1986   Linda Yandell
1983-1985   Karen Mitchell
1982-1983   Linda Powers Bilanchone
1981-1982   Jeanne Price
1979-1981   Joyce Wiley Elhassani
1977-1979   Linda Powers Bilanchone
1975-1977   Dot Drennan
LWV of Spartanburg County, PO Box 6507, Spartanburg, SC 29304