LWV-Wake Update 4/27/2026 | Welcome back to your exclusive, bi-weekly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Wake County. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to become a member, or are interested in learning more, just click here. | |
We recognize and thank all of the volunteer-members who invested their time and effort to support our mission. Give yourself a pat on the back. In 2025, LWV-Wake County registered more than 900 voters and provided strong support to our County's municipal elections through Vote411 engagement, multiple candidate forums, and enhanced social media reach. This significant public service came alongside the build-up of our top-tier communications team, increased strategic focus on the part of all of our committees, greater operational effectiveness, and improved fundraising results. Thank you!
| | Please mark your calendar and join us on May 29 at 12:30, via ZOOM, for a special presentation hosted by the AFH Committee featuring Quinton Harper of PeeWee Homes. Quinton will share insights and information that will be valuable to our members. We encourage everyone to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about what this organization is doing to address Affordable Housing.
More Upcoming Committee Member meetings:
- Civics Education Committee Meeting - May 11 (Virtual, on Zoom)
- Women's Rights & Healthcare Committee Meeting - May 12 (Virtual, on Zoom)
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Potluck Brunch: Join Us for a potluck brunch! The Membership Committee is hosting a potluck brunch in Wake Forest on Saturday, May 30th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Take advantage of this chance to get acquainted in a member's home, with stimulating conversation and good food. Any member may attend. It's a great way to connect and learn what has drawn others to join, especially if you're new. We keep these events small - just the number that fit around the host's table. If you are interested, please register today! Here's how it works: The host provides an entree; those attending bring an item to share. After you sign up, host Celeste Stanley will send you an email with the address, parking info, the entree they're providing, and suggestions for what you might bring.
REGISTER
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Register now for the 2026 LWV-Wake Annual Membership Meeting!
All members are encouraged to attend. Join other members and guests for our annual membership meeting. Thanks to generous donors, we've been able to reduce the cost for this year's event to only $30. We hope you'll join us to socialize with fellow League members, give input to the Board on priorities for the coming year, and hear from our special guest speaker, Hilary Harris Klein, Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Click here to register or find the calendar event on June 16, 2026! Registration deadline is at noon on June 11, 2026.
|  | Women's Equality Day Event - August 26th Save the Date!
Join us for this special annual event as we celebrate and recognize the leadership, service, and impact of all women elected officials serving Wake County. This year’s theme, “Women Lead the Way,” highlights the vital role women play in guiding our communities forward and shaping a stronger future for all.
Women’s Equality Day also commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which secured women’s right to vote—a milestone that continues to inspire civic engagement and leadership today.
More details will be shared soon. Registration is not yet open, so please mark your calendar—we hope you’ll join us for this inspiring celebration!
| | LWV President Dianna Wynn and LWV-Wake President Gaye Williams joined the Membership Committee who held a lovely gathering of long-time and new members, over cocktails at the Matthews house bar, Hearsay. It was a balmy spring evening to enjoy good company and League updates. The Membership Committee hosts events throughout the year for members and invited friends to come and enjoy some informal time to get to know each other.
Events are on the online calendar and shared through our email in advance Registration is not required but it is suggested for planning purposes. |  | | Timely Topics is our League's primary outlet for live, interactive education. We hold 8 to 9 sessions every year, from September to April/May. We have just completed this season and the next series will start up in the spring. Most of our sessions are recorded and made available on our YouTube Channel.
Our planning meeting for next year's Timely Topics is on June 3rd. Come help us plan for the coming year and share your ideas for topics, speakers, or just join the conversation. Register
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Want to build your confidence and effectiveness as a League advocate? Register for and attend this virtual training to learn how to represent your community and the League with clarity and impact. This legislative training session is open to all members—whether or not you plan to attend the upcoming Advocacy Day. Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your approach, this session will provide valuable guidance on engaging effectively with your legislators and their staff, offering practical tools, talking points, and strategies you can use year-round.
| Understand Public Education Funding in North Carolina. The latest article from The Assembly offers a clear, in-depth analysis of the recent Leandro decision. It also explores the introduction of a new bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education, raising important questions about whether its recommendations will be taken up by leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly when it comes to funding decisions.
To better understand this pivotal moment, we encourage you to read the article. As the path forward shifts from the courts to policymakers, continued advocacy remains essential to ensure that North Carolina fulfills its constitutional obligation to provide every child with access to a sound basic education.
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Come with us to Columbus or join remotely online for the LWV 57th Biennial National Convention!
Representatives from LWV-Wake will attend the Convention and, as a member, you are welcome and encouraged to attend. This event brings together members to set the organization's agenda, elect leaders, and focus on defending democracy. Registration is open now!
The Convention will take place from June 25–28, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. If a trip to Columbus doesn't work for you, you can attend all of the plenary sessions virtually for a much reduced rate ($150). We have budgeted funds to help offset the cost for a limited number of members to attend either in person or virtually. Contact Sandra Birckhead, treasurer and Gaye Williams, president if you plan to attend.
|  | Action Alert: Tell Congress Federal Immigration Enforcement Has Gone Too Far
We join LWVUS and LWVNC in this ACTION ALERT regarding escalating federal immigration enforcement actions that violate constitutional rights and undermine democratic accountability. At its core, this issue is not about immigration policy—it is about the protection of constitutional rights, the rule of law, and the principle that no government agency is above accountability. The use of intimidation, surveillance, and lethal force against people exercising their First Amendment rights threatens the foundations of our democracy and demands congressional oversight. The League has a long history of defending civil liberties and civic participation. When constitutional rights are eroded anywhere, they are weakened everywhere. Add your voice by using the LWVUS action tool to contact Congress and demand transparency, investigation, and accountability.
|  |  | The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. | |