Report on League of Women Voters of Indiana State Convention
Indianapolis, May 15-17, 2009
By Marta Hughes, President, League of Women Voters of Vigo County
Delegates: Judy Buchholz, LWV-VC membership chair; Becky Buse, LWV-VC president-elect; and Marta Hughes, LWV-VC president
“Health Care Reform in Indiana” was the topic that opened the convention on Friday night with David Orentlicher, attorney, physician and former state legislator, IU Law School, addressing the issue.
Breakfast on Saturday morning was wonderful. Bacon! Bacon! Bacon!
State President Joanne Evers convened the Convention Saturday morning. There were two speakers on Saturday, several workshops to attend and several motions upon which to vote.
Mary Wilson, League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) president, spoke on the national league priorities. Health care reform was at the top of her list of priorities. She said that the National League believes that if the League advocated for single-payer, universal health care that their voice would not be heard; that the League would not get a seat at the table. She said she thought that incremental steps would need to be taken to achieve the final goal of single-payer, universal health care.
She also spoke about the League’s position on Global Climate Change. The National position states: Global climate change is one of the most serious threats to the environment, health and economy of our nation. Recent scientific studies show that global warming is already causing environmental changes that will have significant global economic and social impacts.
Marilyn Schultz, executive director of MySmartGov.org, spoke about local government reform. Her main premise was that township government is neither transparent nor accountable to the voters. She asked all of the Leagues gather information about their township government.
There were several workshop opportunities. Judy Buchholz attended “Small Community Initiatives;” Becky Buse attended “Election Reform,” and I attended “Learning about the Education Fund.”
There was some spirited discussion about health care reform late in the day. The Bloomington-Monroe LWV submitted a resolution that the State League urge the National League to stand strong for the single-payer, universal health coverage. After much debate, discussion and pro's and con's, the resolution passed. This was courageous of the State League since Mary Wilson was sitting in the room during the spirited discussion and vote. Some members urged the body to respect the wishes of the LWVUS, while others urged taking a stand. This vote prompted incoming State League President Karen Kay Leonard to comment during the Sunday board meeting that she was especially proud of the vote and that it just shows that reasonable people can disagree reasonably.
Saturday after dinner, we were entertained by the Freetown Village Children’s Group. They sang African spirituals and performed African-American games for us. They were so charming.
Our denim shirts were a hit with everyone! Thank you to Geri Black and Stephanie Land for the idea and getting the shirts in time for the Convention. Thank you to Becky for ironing them.
Karen Kay Leonard is our new State President. She is a wonderful, intelligent, energetic and committed woman who will be a great leader.
And last, but not least, Judy Buchholz was elected to the LWVIN board of directors for a two-year term. I don’t know how she is going to take care of us and the State League, too.
The Convention adjourned Sunday morning after another round of workshops. Breakfast was so-so.
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| Marta Hughes, Becky Buse, Mary Wilson (National LWV President) and Judy Buchholz. |
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| Judy Buchholz, Joann Evers (outgoing State League president), Marta Hughes and Becky Buse. |
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| Marta Hughes (bottom left) sits with the other local League presidents with the incoming State League President Karen Kay Leonard (top middle). |
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