July 24, 2026

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church had a table at Civic Jam, a new event held in the City this year. We distributed information about voting, the upcoming primary and general elections, the amendments to the Virginia Constitution being proposed and League membership. Teams participating in the Civics Cup stopped by our table to learn about the league and play our "Spinner Game," which gave them an opportunity to get a stamp on their card and win prizes by answering questions about civics. 

We ran a special civics trivia session which teams could participate in for an extra stamp on their card. We had a large group take part in our 10 question quiz with questions about the Virginia Government, the U.S. Government, and the U.S. Constitution. 

July 19, 2026

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church held a potluck picnic to celebrate the League's 75th anniversary on Sunday afternoon, July 19, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church. We had 22 league members, family and friends gather to help us celebrate 75 years of our amazing community supporting the voters of Falls Church City.

We also decorated rocks that were then placed in our in Civic Stands as part of our new Democracy Rocks! Civics Scavenger Hunt, which launched the same day.

July 12, 2026

If you have ever wondered what a State Issue Group is, this Zoom webinar provides you with the background you need to join and participate in these groups run by the Virginia League of Women Voters. These groups play a crucial role in the League's advocacy efforts at the state level and in educating League members throughout Virginia about important subject matter areas.

• View the webinar here (Passcode: ?u?%fzQ1).

• Presentation slides are available here.

Many thanks to our presenters, LWV Falls Church Membership Chair Liza Nelson and our special guest speaker, Carolyn Caywood, leader of the Environmental Issue Group, who spoke about the work her group is doing. 

June 20, 2026

The LWVFC joined other local Leagues on June 20 to attend the musical Suffs at the National Theater!

JUNE 14, 2026

On June 14, the League of Women Voters of Falls Church held its Annual Meeting at Creative Cauldron. The meeting was open to the public and drew 51 attendees. 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!).

LWVFC President Edith Snyder opened the meeting by emphasizing the critical importance of the League's work to promote voting and protect voting rights. She quoted John Lewis, the late civil rights activist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who described voting as "precious" and "the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society." 

In this time when voting rights are under serious attack nationwide, President Snyder reminded us that we can take pride in the work of the League to counter these attacks. As one recent example, she cited the successful lawsuit by the Virginia League, which led the Commonwealth to agree to halt its unlawful practice of purging voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election.

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 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.

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!