The League of Women Voters of Moore County was represented by Jo Nicholas, Ann Torok, Mary Lou Bernett and Mary Price at the 2010 League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) biennial National Convention June 11-15, in Atlanta, Ga.

They were four of nearly 700 delegates in attendance.

Delegates were welcomed to the conference by iconic civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, who represents Atlanta. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius addressed the delegates, praising the League’s efforts on health care reform, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent 90th anniversary greetings via video.

Eight former national League presidents were in attendance and reflected on each of their presidencies, spanning the 1960s to the present.

While in Atlanta, LWVMC delegates attended workshops and caucuses, and discussed many of the critical issues facing citizens across the nation, including global climate change, elections and voting rights, redistricting reform and more. Delegates elected Elisabeth MacNamara, of Atlanta, as president and elected a new board of directors, passed the LWVUS budget, and voted on LWVUS public policy positions for the next two years, including voting to study the federal role in education policy and privatization.

President Jo Nicholas of LWVMC spoke on the delegates’ floor in support of the new study of the federal role in education policy and privatization. LWVMC will be undertaking this new study to examine the effects on the Moore County educational system. LWVNC was well-represented with 24 delegates attending the convention.

“I was proud to represent the LWV of Moore County at Convention 2010,” Nicholas said. “I learned many new things and brought back important ideas for our League to use in our community.”

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages.

With 850 local Leagues in all 50 states, the League is one of America’s most trusted organizations.