Chapter History
Lakewood women were very active in the fight for women’s suffrage. Women’s suffrage was on the Ohio ballot by initiative petition in 1912 and 1914, losing statewide, but passing with Lakewood’s male voters. Lakewood’s City Council, seven men, placed the issue of suffrage on Lakewood’s ballot in 1917 where it passed by more than 70%, giving Lakewood women the right to vote in school and local issues.
Immediately, the women of Lakewood began to educate voters, both women and men, on the responsibilities of citizenship. They organized a highly popular eight-week course led by Florence C. Allen, a renowned lawyer and charismatic speaker, which was front page news. Small group educational meetings were also held throughout Lakewood.
In 1922, the Lakewood League of Women Voters was chartered with 123 members. The new League survived the problems of the ’30s and war in the ’40s. Since 1946, there has been a steady active membership, with some moving on to political careers, to appointed governmental boards and commissions, or to jobs. It was stated by many that “active league membership is a local, free graduate school in government and organization.”