2013 Marks The 45th Anniversary for the Westford League of Women Voters

The year is quickly coming to an end here in Westford, and it was a year that marked the 45th anniversary of the Westford League of Women Voters.

Founded shortly after the first League chapters in Massachusetts began to spring up in the 1960s, and following in the footsteps of the suffragettes who voted the first leagues in the 1920s, the League of Women Voters in Westford has seen its main job as educating voters.

Today here in Westford the League is open to men and women, and itslocal role is geared not toward national topics, but specifically local ones like Town Meetings and town elections.

“We’ve always done a lot to help people know what’s going on,” said Laura Dickey, current president of the League.

While Dickey and her predecessors are proud of the work they’ve done to help educate voters over the years, she believes that much work still needs to be done to get voters more engaged in the process here in town.

“You just look at turnout for Town Meeting and town elections. Westford’s filled with educated people, but there’s a lot going on, and I think often getting involved in politics is not a priority,” she said.  “So it’s important for organizations like the League to make as much information available as possible.”

In addition to their work surrounding elections, the League expects to continue its work with programs such as the “What’s Being Built Around Us” series, which was hosted by Town Engineer Paul Starratt  this year and former Director of Land Use Angus Jennings last year.

“People really get interested when they can see topics that directly impact their lives,” said Dickey.

The next League event on information for those thinking of running for public office will be held on Jan. 29, 2014 at the J.V. Fletcher Library.

More information is available at their website.