Dearborn League of Women Voters Hold Annual Meeting

Submitted by Patti Mack

It was an enthusiastic group that met at Habib’s Cuisine on June 8 to review local activities for the Dearborn-Dearborn Heights League of Women Voters during the past year.

For a small group, members have been extremely busy and can name many outstanding accomplishments.

Barb Adams reported on the student voter registration drive that occurred in nine Dearborn and Dearborn Heights schools during the spring semester. Efforts were made to explain to the students why local elections are just as important as national elections and urge their participation. After registering 563 students from 22 different communities, the program was recognized as a success by students, teachers and league volunteers.

Betsy Cushman explained how the local league participated last fall in the new online national league program, VOTE411.org, to provide information on candidates and all of the many proposals on the 2013 November ballot. This was done not only for our local cities but for much of Wayne County that does not have a local league presence.

With the valuable assistance of Don Mack, the league has established a website that serves the community better. You can find it at lwvddh.org.

The League continues to do membership recruitment, fundraising and providing programs of interest to the community. Emphasis for all leagues in Michigan during the coming year will focus on education.

Elections were held for new officers.

Betsy Cushman is the new president, taking over from Mary Bugeia. Other newly elected board members include Mary Jo Durivage (secretary), and Directors Patti Mack, Mary Bugeia and Judy Carty.

A new nominating committee was also elected, and includes Judy Patrick (chairwoman) Christine Sullivan-Rathwell and Toni Tront.

After the meeting members enjoyed lunch. Following the luncheon, participants heard from Dr. Nabeel Abraham, instructor of anthropology and director of the Honors Program at HFCC. He provided an interesting history of the Middle Eastern migration to the local area and the organizations and institutions that continue to help make this area so vital.

The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of people in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The public is welcome to all programs.

For more information, call 313-278-6476, or email lwvddh@gmail.org.