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 the generous donations by 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 on 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, and 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 to Edith Snyder, who helped throughout the planning process and did the 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.

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.

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!