We educate. We advocate. We participate.
We are a nonpartisan organization of adult and student members that seeks to educate about issues and policies in our city, state and nation. We research and report on key issues through forums and positions. We help register voters and urge all citizens to vote and make their voices heard.
Our Work in 2019-20
Our small chapter, 12 members, had few chapter meetings before Covid 19 shelter at home order. But here is what we did do: one fall luncheon meeting to introduce our new member to our group. We had a holiday meeting to discuss what the other chapters and the League were doing. Individual members did participate in activities, such as, Fairview Park Community Council representative , a County Counsel observer, counting votes for the Cleveland teachers union, help register voters as they became new citizens, attend a training session on how to register voters.
So far we have no plans for the 20-21 year. We have another new member who joined in February.
Nikki Salupo, Fairview Park Chapter Chair
Chapter History
The League of Women Voters of Fairview Park was started in January, 1954 and was accepted as a full fledged Unit in December of the same year. The first slate of officers included: Mrs. Charles Scholti, President and the following Board Members: Mrs. James Gangler, Mrs. Richard Schaefer, Mrs. Harry Gerstenberger, Mrs. George Poltis, Mrs. Paul Nagle, Mrs. Benjamin Pinkel and Mrs. Thayer Landes.
This League actively served Fairview Park for thirty years, providing Candidates Night and Issues Forums and also periodically publishing a Know Your Town booklet. However in 1984 when a number of members were returning to work the Nominating Committee found itself unable to come up with a full slate of officers. Consequently the Unit closed. Well known members of this early League included suffragist Josephine Irwin who was also the first woman to serve on the Fairview Park City Council, Ann Dunson, wife of popular Mayor Jim Dunson, City Council member Mildred Nyland, West Life reporter Diane Mealey and School Board Member Helen Graham.
In 1995 a Member of the Fairview Park Board of Education, Ken LeSure, wrote letters to local newspapers and to the League of Women Voters of 0hio requesting that consideration be given to reestablishing a local LWV Unit in Fairview Park. The State League responded quickly sending its Membership Chair to host an organizational meeting at the Fairview Library. Eight persons responded. They were mostly members of the former League but also included a local judge and 2 National Members of the League (members who support the national organization but are not affiliated with a local chapter). Millie Nyland was elected Chair of the fledgling League at the September, 1995 meeting. Other persons who have since served as Chair or Co-Chair are Mary Jarmusch, Joanne Norenberg, Betsy Falkenstein (deceased), Jo Crabtree (deceased), Jan Reser, Jean Seasholtz and Nikki Salupo. Presently the group is headed by Anne Godhard and Nikki Salupo who serve as Co-Chairs.
The reorganized League essentially picked up where the old League left off or perhaps a little ahead. Returning members brought both experience and new skills they had learned on their jobs. One member brought funding from a major corporation that gave stipends to non-profit organizations in which their retirees or their families gave volunteer service.