Local League History

League Presidents • Mildred Berry Award recipients •

The League of Women Voters of Rockford

The Rockford League of Women Voters was founded April 22, 1922, two years after the state organization had been established. Among the Rockford Leagues's charter members were: Julia Lathrop, noted for her work on the Children's Bureau and the League of Nation's Commission; Mabel Ashton Johnson, the founder of the Visiting Nurses Association; and Kate O'Connor, a founder of the State League of Women Voters and coordinator of Illinois' welfare program for women and children. The Rockford League's first President was Mrs. William C. Free.

Through a concentration on such topics as International Relations, Economic Welfare, Government Structure, Public Health, and Voter Services, the Rockford League pursues its purpose "...to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government." (By-laws, amended April 26, 1980). These efforts have involved the Rockford League in redevelopment projects, the push for a state constitutional convention, and a serious review of local government structure. In all their activities, the Rockford League of Women Voters remains politically nonpartisan.

LWVGR Presidents

1922-27
1927-31
1931-33
1933-35
1935-37
1937-39
1939-41
1941-44
1944-46
1946-48
1948-49
1949-50
1950-*  
1950-*
1950-52
1952-56
1956-58
1958-60
1960-62
1962-64
1964-66
1966-68
1968-69
1969–70
1970–72
1972-74

 

 Maizie Free
Florence Jansen
Maurine DuPlain
Grace Knight
Helen Lichtenwalner
Anne Wiley
Fern Bell
Marian Bates
Elizabeth Canfield
Mildred Berry
Hazel Oberlander
Mildred Gaylord
Florence Swiger
Shirley Mansfield
Lovena Kovacheff
Shirley Holland
Shirley Mansfield
Veronica Gayle
Margaret Wyeth
Eloise Anderson
Jeanette Crossland
Marjorie Johnsen
Carolyn Goltermann
Alice Heath
College Holmbeck
Millie Zimmerman

1974-75
1975-76
1976-78
1978-*
1978-80
1980-82
1982-83
1982-84
1985-87
1987-88
1988-90
1990-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-2002
2002-5
2005-8
2008-9

2009-10

 Sue Molyneau
Elizanne Lewis
Joan Morton
Doris Condon
Dawn Hallsten
Ethel McGreevy
Pat Morrison
Elizanne Lewis
Lee Larson
Barb Herbig
Mary Hungerford
Sandra Locke
Elaine Harrington
Gwen Robinson
Elaine Harrington
Kathleen Gummow
Nancy Waldorf
Adrienne Langley
Jane McAfee
Janyce Fadden
None
Ann Powell & Leigh Lakey, Co-Presidents
Leigh Lakey

Mildred Freburg Berry Award

The Mildred Freburg Berry Award was created in 1994 by the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford to honor Dr. Berry, who was an outstanding member of the League for many years and was a highly respected community leader and educator.  Through this award, the value of Dr. Berry’s unique insight, articulation, persistence and excellence will continue to be acknowledged. 

Recipients of the award:
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009

Betty Johnson
Miriam Tunison
Sandra Locke
Elaine Harrington
Jeanne Claeys
Joyce Holmberg
Dorothy Espenscheid
Diane Cushing
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
 Vivian Hickey
Betty Crawford
Patricia Nelson
Jane McAfee
Justine Walhout
Ann Powell
Janyce Fadden
Copyright 2009
League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford