Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List
HomeAbout Us




Founded in 1924, our League has acted for nearly 100 years
as a grassroots, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
committed to the civic health of our community.

Our Mission:
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Our Vision:
A democracy where every person has the desire, the right,
    the knowledge and the confidence to participate.




Membership in the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area (LWVLA) includes membership in
1) The LWV of Wisconsin (LWVWI) and
2) The Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization (UMRR-ILO) and
3)  The LWV of the United States (LWVUS).

A membership in the League supports the work of each level on issues chosen by and relevant to our members.
Learn more about each of these levels  by clicking on the links below.



 

 LWVLA Board of Directors
2025 -2026

2025-26 Board of Directors


2025-26 Officers
 
Leslie Wegener  President 
Nora Garland  President-Elect 
Jane Powell   Past President 
Rhonda Akeson   Secretary 
Pam Squires Treasurer 

 2025 -26 Board of Directors

 Stephanie Davis  Program  and Observer Corps
 Margaret Hanson  Communications 
 Sally King   Membership & Inclusion
 Catherine Kolkmeier  Forums
 Emma Latus  Member-at-Large
 Carla Lundeen  Program
 Avery Manthe  Student Representative
   
   

 




LWVLA  PROGRAM PRIORITIES FOR 2025-26

In the course of discussions about the coming year’s program topics, 
the following areas for study and action were identified by LWVLA members.


When choosing these topics, members were asked to consider:

1. How does it affect our community?

2. Will the League’s involvement make a difference? 

Proposed Areas of Study and Action

1. Impact of Partisanship on Nonpartisan Government
2. Standards and Funding for K-12 Education
3. Impact of Federal and State Immigration Policies
4. Initiatives for Justice with Law Enforcement and the Courts
5. Housing in the La Crosse Area
6. Mental Health/Addiction Care
7. Global Warming/Climate Change/Environment




LWVLA NONPARTISAN POLICY

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit political organization that:
*Encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government.
*Works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.
*Influences public policy through education and advocacy.


Being nonpartisan, the League does not support or oppose candidates for public office in any election, 
nor does it take a stand for or against a political party. The League recognizes the role of the political parties in our form of government and believes that participation in the activities of the political process is an essential ingredient of citizen responsibility....





LWVLA DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION POLICY

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion 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....