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UMA HOLDS A FORUM ON LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
By: Shafi Refai
President, United Muslims of America
United Muslims of America (UMA) held a forum on League of Women Voters (LWV or the “League”) on June 26, 2008 at Chandni Restaurant at Newark, California. The guest speaker was community member Syeda Reshma Yunus who is the President of LWV of Fremont, Newark and Union City, a local arm of the national League of Women Voters.
The forum was attended by Muslims as well as people of other faiths and also by elected officials and other members of LWV. Reshma Yunus provided information about the history, mission and work of the League of Women Voters, an organization that many Muslims are not familiar with, but which has served as a major policy advocate and is often at the forefront of decision making in American politics.
One of the most important messages is that some of “the League’s” most active members are men! LWV traces its roots to the winning of women’s suffrage in 1920 but since 1974 has included men in its membership. LWV is a nonpartisan political organization whose mission is to encourage the informed and active participation in government. The League works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. LWV does not support or oppose candidates but is very political and embraces civic engagement as not simply a right but a responsibility of every resident. It is a grassroots organization with over 800 chapters and nearly seventy-thousand active civic minded individuals with many more supporters.
As it is “staunchly nonpartisan,” LWV is often called on to study issues and to present consensus based opinions to lawmakers and city leaders on those issues. These issues commonly include immigration reform, health care reform, redistricting, local bond issues, and a variety of topics that are pertinent to residents of our communities. Members routinely interact with local and regional decision makers. The major message of the evening was that all residents, including Muslims, need to be engaged in decision making about their communities or will have those decisions made for them. A very accessible and effective way to engage in the process is to become a member of the LWV.
Ms. Yunus said, “I strongly believe in the mission and values of the League as it is non-partisan and so takes stands on issues based on what is best for the community as a whole rather than on partisan lines.” The League has a sterling reputation for holding fair and impartial candidate forums and providing both pros and cons on ballot measures. The organization believes in speaking with one voice and advocates on issues only after study and obtaining consensus through its grass roots process. Each member has an option for input. Recently the League took a position on immigration – announced through in a national press release which stated that : the LEAGUE OPPOSES DEPORTATIONS, SUPPORTS EARNED CITIZENSHIP FOR UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRANTS
Ms. Yunus also invited Ms. Linda Craig, a Board Member with the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) to speak on one of the League’s advocacy issues, re-districting reform. The California League along with collaborative partners Common Cause and AARP has worked and collected over a million signatures to put Proposition 11 on the November ballot to ensure a more impartial way to draw district lines. Ms. Craig said, “This reform will enable voters to choose their legislators and eliminate the conflict of interest that occurs when legislators draw the lines and choose their constituents.”
The League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City in October 2007 celebrated its 50th anniversary. Mayor Dave Smith of the City of Newark declared October 27, 2007 “League of Women Voters Day” in recognition of its consistent service to the community. The League has received numerous accolades and recognition for its outstanding work in all three levels, local, state and national.
The State of California LWV, at its biennial Council in May 2008, recognized the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City, under the current leadership of Reshma Yunus, as the only League amongst 67 other California Leagues that attained the “Meet the Challenge” distinction for 2007/2008! The criteria included fulfillment of specific program and voter service goals as well increases in membership. We congratulate Reshma Yunus and the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City for achieving this milestone.
The League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City (LWVFNUC) is engaged in arranging several debates of local political candidates for Mayors and City Council memberships before the November elections this year. If you are interested in updates on those debates, please visit www.lwvfnuc.org for time and place. Many of these debates are also broadcast on public access cable television and timing can be found at on the same website. We strongly recommend attending these debates as a way of meeting your local candidates and making an informed decision about our elected officials.
More information about the League and its work is available at www.lwvfnuc.org, www.lwvc.org and www.lwv.org. You can also visit the League's award winning voter information website: www.smartvoter.org
The League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City (LWVFNUC) is the local arm of the national League of Women Voters, Reshma Yunus has been a member of the League of Women Voters for several years. Professionally, she works as a Business consultant and property manager, she is a Certified Public Accountant and has Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance; her real passion, however, is community engagement and service.
UMA arranges such forums on monthly basis inviting writers, educationists, activists, elected officials who have made significant contribution for the betterment of the community. The purpose is to inform our community of their contributions and to recognize and appreciate their efforts.
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