June 20, 2026
The LWVFC joined other local Leagues on June 20th to attend the musical Suffs at the National Theater!
JUNE 14, 2026
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church held its Annual Meeting on Sunday afternoon, June 14, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church. The League presented the second Community Impact Award to Sally Ekfelt. Our special guest speaker was Lindsey Cormack, who discussed her book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It!).
2026 AWARD WINNER
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church awarded its second annual "Community Impact Award" to Sally Ekfelt at its Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 14 at Creative Cauldron.
Sally was chosen for this award to recognize her long record of community activism, including service as a member and as chair of the Falls Church City School Board; as member, president and corresponding secretary of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC); as Falls Church Elementary PTA president; and as the lead organizer of the activities of the Women's History Group and its Women's History Walk. In each of these endeavors, Sally has made significant contributions to Falls Church City and has improved the quality of life in our community.
The Women's History Walk debuted in 2017 through the efforts of Nikki Graves Henderson of the Tinner Hill Foundation and City Council Member Marybeth Connelly to highlight local women's history during Women's History Month. As a key leader in the Women's History Group, Sally has consistently
led the efforts to produce successful Women's History Walks. These events involved myriad challenging preparations such as the selection and notification of honorees, the development and placement of educational signs, and the arrangements for docents and greeters. Sally also helped to put the Women's
History Group on a sound financial footing by cementing its 501(c)(3) status and successfully soliciting donations.
In her various leadership roles with the CBC, Sally has played a key part in programs of great benefit to our community. Sally participated in the working group that developed the "Candidate Integrity Pledge," which asks candidates
for local office to commit to campaign transparency, civility and accountability.
Sally has also helped develop and shape the Youth Representative Program, which places City high school students in internships with City Boards, Commissions or civic organizations. The Falls Church League has greatly
benefited from the contributions of the Youth Representatives placed with our organization over the last several years.
Sally's work with the CBC has also included leading forums on how to run for local office. Last year, Sally helped to foster the collaboration between CBC and LWVFC on a program entitled "How to Be a Candidate for Local Office," which
featured a panel of previous candidates for City Council and School Board who described the campaign process and lessons learned from running a campaign.
These are just a few highlights of Sally's many contributions to the City. Sally was born in Quantico, Virginia, and traveled widely with her Marine Corps family. Sally says that she "never had a real home town until I moved to Falls Church in 1979, and obviously, I have never wanted to leave!" Sally received a degree in Russian Studies from Mary Washington College in 1976. Her professional experiences include work as a senior executive assistant, event planner and property manager. She has a daughter and two sons. In addition to the activities listed above, she has also volunteered as a cub scout leader and a Sunday school teacher. She also served as the chair of the Falls
Church City Public Schools Calendar Committee for 20 years.
HOW TO RAISE A CITIZEN (AND WHY IT'S UP TO YOU TO DO IT!)
Our special guest speaker was Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of Political Science and Director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology. She discussed her book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It). Her book is a practical guide for parents, caregivers and all of us. It provides a nonpartisan roadmap for discussing politics, understanding government structures, and fostering a sense of responsibility. We enjoyed a thought-provoking discussion and look forward to discussing Lindsey's book at our first book club on July 30th. Sign Up to attend: Book Club
MAY 26, 2026
For the first time, the Falls Church LWV had an information table at Meridian High School's Senior Spectacular event to distribute information to graduating seniors about voting in the upcoming primary and general elections. In addition, each senior received a flyer put together by our high school intern, Mira Bracken, that provided the information they need to understand their voting options while away at college.
Many thanks to our volunteers, including Mira Bracken, Liza Nelson, Kristin Stamilio, and Stacey Vagoun.
MAY 25, 2026
Falls Church LWV once again had a table at the City's Memorial Day Parade and Festival to distribute information about voting, the upcoming primary and general elections, and League membership. We also had our popular "Spinner Game," which gives kids an opportunity to win prizes by answering questions about civics. (Grown-ups also tried their hands at the questions on the US Citizenship test!)
Many thanks to our volunteers, including Mira Bracken, George Cooper, Martha Cooper, Ann Korzeniewski, Linda Lee Lawrence, Barbara Lipsky, Joseph Nelson, Liza Nelson, Kitty O'Hara, Elizabeth Razzi, Kristin Stamilio, and Stacey Vagoun.
MAY 9, 2026
Falls Church LWV had a table at the Women's History Walk on Saturday, May 9 in Cherry Hill Park. Our volunteers answered questions about voting and the upcoming primary and general elections, and provided information about League membership.
Many thanks to our volunteers, including Linda Lee Lawrence, Liza Nelson, Martha Netherton, Kitty O'Hara, Jack Rifkin, Edie Snyder, Kristin Stamilio, and Stacey Vagoun.
APRIL 19, 2026
We held our Defending Democracy Film Festival and Fundraiser on Sunday, April 19th at the Paragon Theaters. More than 50 people attended, enabling us to raise over $1,100 for the work of the League of Women Voters (LWV) Falls Church. Our event would not have been as successful without everyone who purchased tickets and generous donations from our local sponsors. Thank you all so much!
Thanks to all the volunteers for a job well done! Liza Nelson, thank you for your leadership of this significant effort (and your family’s support), Colter Adams for sharing his experiences in Minneapolis and takeaways from them, Jennifer Tabola for leading a discussion the audience needed and wanted to have, Barbara Lipsky and Sabeena Rajpal for effectively publicizing this event, Linda Anne Messick for managing the ticket sales, Amy Dove for working with our local businesses to donate such generous gifts to this cause, Stacey Vagoun and Kristin Stamilio for all the support they provided in setting up, taking down, and getting the mic to people in the audience, and Edith Snyder, who helped throughout the planning process and provided introductions at the event. It takes a League!
MARCH 25, 2026
LWV Falls Church had a very successful voter registration event at Meridian High School on March 25. League volunteers registered 11 students.
We took applications from 18-year-olds who will be voting for the first time this year and 16- and 17-year-olds who preregistered to vote when they are 18.
Special thanks to Shirley Connuck, Linda Lee Lawrence, Alison Shearer, and Kristin Stamilio, and student interns Mira Bracken and Tessa Dunn for making the event such a success.
American Women in the Civil Rights Movement
MARCH 15, 2026
Some 30 members and friends of LWV Falls Church and our co-sponsors, the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, gathered at the Library and via Zoom to listen to a virtual talk by Dr. Emily Krichbaum from the National Women's History Museum on the role of African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement.
In the 20th century, African American women formed the backbone of the modern Civil Rights Movement. They were the grassroots leaders challenging America to embrace justice and equality for all. This talk explored women's critical roles— often behind the scenes— in major events throughout the movement.
Attendees at Mary Riley Styles Public Library were also treated to a lovely tea. Many thanks to Ann Korzeniewski for setting up the tea and to Margie Speir for lending us her urn and baking delicious homemade scones. Many thanks also to our co-sponsors: the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and Mary Riley Styles Public Library. And a special thank you to Liza Nelson and Edith Snyder for arranging this very informative women's history program.
NIGHT OF TERROR AND THE PRISON SPECIAL TRAIN
FEBRUARY 22, 2026
This program was written and presented by LWV Falls Church members. Event participants met by candlelight to explore two significant events in suffragist history—the Night of Terror and the Prison Special Train— with a focus on how each event contributed to the passage of the 19th amendment.
Thank you to Martha Haines, Anne-Louise Marquis, and Jack Rifkin for creating and presenting this excellent program on the history of Women's Suffrage.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
Our League members made blankets to welcome immigrant families in our community. Due to their hard work, we were able to donate two knitted blankets, one crocheted blanket, and a quilt.
Many Thanks to Ann Korzeniewski, Stacey Vagoun, Stephanie Calabrese, and Liza Nelson for knitting and crocheting blankets, and to Alison Shearer for donating a quilt. For more information on the Welcome Blanket Project visit this website: Welcome Blanket
JANUARY 11, 2026
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church held a successful planning meeting on Sunday afternoon, January 11, at Clare and Don's Beach Shack. Thirty-four people attended, including many new members. The afternoon included a review of the League's activities and accomplishments in 2025, and planning for the coming year.
Members then met in breakout groups to brainstorm ideas in such areas as voter services, civic education, social events, community engagement, engaging young voters, and participating in state League interest groups. The Board will plan events throughout the year based on the ideas generated at the meeting. Members are always welcome to submit their ideas for activities, events, and volunteer opportunities by writing to LWV Falls Church's President at president@lwvfallschurch.net.
Many hanks to the members who planned and organized this meeting, including Kristin Stamilio, Stacey Vagoun, Liza Nelson, Edith Snyder, and Kitty O'Hara. Thanks also to League member and Meridian High School teacher Pam Mahony for leading the breakout group on civic education.
Thanks also to Clare and Don's for hosting us and providing delicious snacks for our members!