League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan

Mission Statement

Democracy is not a spectator sport. 

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Interested in seeing more LWV out in the community? Visit our LWV in Action page!

Dues Update!

 

Dues are $55 for one person or $82.50 for two members of the same household. Mail your check payable to League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan to 307 W. Maple Street, Alpena, MI 49707

LWV Membership Form

Movie Discussion

Next Movie Discussion: 

Come and enjoy good food and conversation!

Friday, October 20

The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan – In Action!

August Lunch Bunch


Membership Meeting!

Our Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, June 20 at Pompeyos Restaurant in Alpena. Nineteen members (including new members Nancy Smith and Elie Bull) were in attendance, as were guest Nena Sork.  Ms. Sork, our guest speaker, is the Executive Director of Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority. She discussed the challenges of working with indigent clients and those in acute crisis. There is an extreme shortage of pediatric psychiatric beds available in the state. There is also a shortage of mental health workers in the area.

Fortunately, there are excellent pediatric psychiatrists in the area, and Western Michigan is collaborating with ACC to offer BSW and MSW programs in Alpena to alleviate shortages in the future.

The budget was adopted, board members were elected, and our bylaws were updated.

A proposal for a local study was received from Mary Alice Comar. Mary Alice has suggested that our League begin a water study which would look at sewer and storm run-off, lake water and other local water issues. It has been approved by the board and the next step is to take the topic to the general membership. The board is working on a date for this meeting.

Nominating Committee Report 2023

Nominating Committee: Judi Stillion and Bob Kennedy, and Elaine Stenger, Board Member

Elected to a 2-year term:

President: Doris Feys

Secretary: Kathy Bower

Board Members: Dottie Haase, Kate Phillips, Elaine Stenger, Carol Lund

Returning for another year:

Vice President: Trina Borenstein

Treasurer: Jennifer Dutcher

Board members: Florence Stibitz, Beverly Bodem

2024 Nominating Committee: Judi Stillion, Cindy Morris, and Elaine Stenger, Board Member


On Wednesday, December 14th, the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan met for a membership dinner at Besser Museum. Thanks to Vernie Nethercut for providing the venue, and thanks also to Jen Dutcher and Kate Phillips for arranging the setting and the meal.

The meal was catered by Jen Dowling and was delicious. Close to thirty members and guests attended and enjoyed a humorous skit (encouraging active participation in the league) put on by Elaine Stenger, Kathy Bower, and Doris Feys.

The museum staff was friendly and helpful. The setting was delightful — the front room of the museum was surrounded by decorated trees –including our LWV tree decorated by June Perry. It was a lovely evening, and a joy to get together in person in December for the first time in three years.


January 20th Lunch Bunch/Movie Discussion

Join Northeast Michigan League of Women Voters for their “Lunch Bunch,” January 20, noon to 1:30, at the Nucleus Lounge, Center Building, Alpena.  Meet others, find easy conversation, and enjoy lunch (on own, off the menu). In honor of January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, post-lunch discussion will focus on the award-winning documentary “The Long Way Home.”   Among its many awards, the film won an Oscar in 1998 for its portrayal of Jewish refugees after World War II.  Based on archival footage, personal interviews, diaries, and letters, the film features the voices of Morgan Freeman, the film’s narrator, along with Edward Asner, Miriam Margolyes and Martin Landau.  Directed by Marvin Hier and Richard Trank. 

One reviewer called this a “shattering, powerful piece of work. And enlightening.  It has as its time frame the forgotten years between the Jews’ ‘liberaton’ by Allied Forces and the establishment of Israel.”  Other comments: “I learned a lot of history and think even more of President Truman than I did before. It is a tremendous statement of the human spirit and the triumph of Will over Circumstance!”  The New York Times notes that despite the stark circumstances, the film “manages to find images of hope, resilience, and gentle humanity. It’s  final words: ‘We’re going on.’”

The film is available on Kanopy through the George N Fletcher Alpena County Library.  See the library website for how to access Kanopy. 


Inside Justice: A 360 Look Inside Our Justice System

On October 4, 2022, the 26th Circuit Court Chief Judge Ed Black, Alpena County Probate Court Judge Alan Curtis, Montmorency Probate Court Judge Lora Greene, Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski, and Deputy Chief Defender Julie Miller shared their unique judicial perspectives and explained their roles and responsibility, sentencing decisions, and how they interact with each other.

If you missed the Inside Justice: A 360 Look Inside our Justice System panel presentation, here is the link to the recording of the panel presentation.

Inside Justice

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 was National Voter Registration Day. LWV NeMI supported three places for voter registration: ACC, Downtown Alpena (by the 45th Parallel Book store), and at the Alpena County Library . Jessica Luther, MaryAnn Crawford, El aine Stenger, Kathy Bower, and Doris Feys all helped with the event.

Movie Discussion: “Primary”

LWVNE MI met on September 8, 2022 at Bob’s Bull Pen to watch “Primary”, a cinema verite feature that follows presidential hopefuls John F. Kennedy and Hubert H. Humphrey during the 1960 Wisconsin primary.

We thank this establishment for technical assistance, comfy seating, and yummy hotdogs and popcorn! This was such a delightful experience that we are planning another movie viewing in November. The top contender is “We Still Live Here: Âs Nutayuneân,” the amazing story of the return of the Wampanoag language – the first time a language with no Native speakers has been revived in this country. Keep an eye out for the next Newsletter for more information.

Annual Membership Meeting 2022

On July 12, the Northeastern LWV gathered for the Annual Membership Meeting and dinner at the Centennial Building. We enjoyed a presentation about Alpena’s pioneer women from owners Mike and Kate Phillips. Thanks Mike and Kate!
The LWV registering 20 new voters!
LWV Conference
May 2019
LWVMI Conference
May 2019
LWVNE 50 Year Members!
Pictured left to right: Marion Dunckel, Florence Stibitz, Vernie Nethercut, Sue Maxell. Missing is Dolly Zeller.

Latest Newsletter

Recent Events

If you missed the Inside Justice: A 360 Look Inside our Justice System panel presentation, here is the link to the recording of the panel presentation.

Inside Justice

 

Voter Guide

Know Your State Candidates? LWV Voter Guides Can Help.

The League of Women Voters of Michigan have published easy-to-read, newspaper-style Voter Guides that provide information from candidates running for state offices in Michigan. Guides include candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor, State Board of Education, and the Boards of Education for U of M, Michigan State U, Wayne State U, Supreme Court, and the wording and explanation of State Ballot Proposals. The voter guides assembled responses to questions using candidate’s own words.

Voter Guides are available at the Alpena County Library, Alcona County Libraries, and Presque Isle Libraries.

For a digital (PDF) version, click here.