Previous Events from the Idaho League of Women Voters
The 39th LWVID Biennial Convention Centers on Women’s Health Care Desert in Idaho
Welcome & Theme
The League of Women Voters of Idaho (LWVID) held its 39th Biennial Convention on June 14, 2025, in scenic Coeur d’Alene, hosted by the Kootenai County League (LWVKC).
The convention theme, Women’s Health Care Desert in Idaho was a timely and urgent topic, explored through a powerful panel discussion and the moving theatrical production In Defiance of Silence.
Friday Evening Kickoff
This year’s convention kicked off Friday evening with a BBQ hosted by LWVKC President Mike Bullard and his wife Elizabeth, featuring a suffragette sing-along led by local musician Max Mendez.
Key Convention Actions
Saturday began with a breakfast at the Lutheran Church on Ramsey Road, prepared by Elizabeth Rose and volunteers from LWVKC. Delegates received decorated packets and “goodie bags” from the State League, setting a festive and productive tone for the day.
The convention’s business meeting, led by Co-President Jean Henscheid, covered several key items:
Approval of a By-Laws amendment for the new ChapterSpot membership system
Election of new officers for the 2025–2027 term
Adoption of the 2025–2027 budget
Voting on future program action priorities
Women’s Health Care Panel
Women’s Health Care emerged as a top priority for the League going forward. The panel, moderated by Mike Bullard, featured:
Dr. Bernadine Bank, gynecologist
Amanda Krier, Executive Director of Safe Passages
Jan Swinton, educator at the Barton English Language School
Mike Baker, CEO of Heritage Health
Each speaker addressed the real-world consequences of Idaho’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape from restricted reproductive rights to a growing exodus of healthcare professionals.
Special guest Alexis Juday-Marshall, LWVUS Board Member, provided a national update and answered questions from members.
Closing Event & Inspiration
The day concluded with a stirring evening at Art Spirit Gallery for Worth of a Woman, followed by the powerful performance In Defiance of Silence—a fitting end to an inspiring convention.
LWVID members left energized, connected, and committed to taking action. Thank you to everyone who made this a success!
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation: The History and Future of America's Public Lands presented by Walt Dabney on Wed., March 11 at 7 p.m. in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow at the 1912 Center Living Room on Sun., Jan. 11, 2026 from 4-5 p.m. for our next Sip & Speak social conversation hour. We encourage you to bring a snack or drink to share but this is not required. We would love to see you there!
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation: Moscow School District Community Schools presented by Brian Smith, Melissa Godfrey, Vanessa Thomas on Wed., March 4 at 12 p.m. in the 1912 Center Arts Lecompte room.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation, The Rule of Law in Hyper-Partisan Times: Challenges to Judicial Independence and Impartiality in America, with Donald L. Burnett, Jr. on Wednesday, February 25 at 12:00 p.m. in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium.
The League of Women Voters of Pocatello invites members to join us for a Member Social on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Pocatello. This casual gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members, welcome new faces, and enjoy conversation in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation with Dr. Lindsey Cormack on Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Five statewide women’s organizations are inviting the public to a free, uplifting event at the Idaho State Capitol this February. On Wednesday, February 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MT, community members are encouraged to stop by the first floor of the Capitol to write valentines celebrating Idaho, democracy, and the values we share.
The fourth seminar from Idahoans for Openess in Government (IDOG) is on January 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MT in the Idaho Capitol Building’s Lincoln Auditorium and examines the Idaho Open Meeting Law. Betsy Russell, Andy Snook, and Brian Kane, Executive Director of the National Association of Attorneys General, will discuss the principles of open government and how Idahoans can ensure transparency in public decision-making. LWVID is a founding member of the IDOG coalition and shares its mission to foster open government, supervised by an informed and engaged citizenry.
The third seminar from Idahoans for Openess in Government (IDOG) is on January 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MT in the Idaho Capitol Building’s Lincoln Auditorium and focuses on the Idaho Public Records Act – the law and the public’s rights. Hear from Andy Snook, General Counsel for Governor Brad Little, and Betsy Russell, IDOG President, on how citizens and journalists can effectively request and obtain public records. LWVID is a founding member of the IDOG coalition and shares its mission to foster open government, supervised by an informed and engaged citizenry.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow at the 1912 Center Living Room on Sun., Jan. 11, 2026 from 4-5 p.m. for our next Sip & Speak social conversation hour. We encourage you to bring a snack or drink to share but this is not required. We would love to see you there!
Join the League of Women Voters of Pocatello for our 2026 Legislative Preview on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This virtual event will feature legislators from District 28 and District 29, who will respond to moderated questions about the key issues and expected bills that may shape the 2026 legislative session.
The League of Women Voters of Idaho invites you to its 2026 Virtual Legislative Preview on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This nonpartisan webinar will feature Senator Jim Woodward and Representative Sonja Galaviz, who will share their perspectives on the major issues and bills expected to come before the Idaho Legislature during the 2026 legislative session.
The second seminar from Idahoans for Openess in Government (IDOG) is on December 17, 2025, from 1:00–3:30 p.m. MT in the Idaho Capitol Building’s Lincoln Auditorium and explores Transparent Idaho/Townhall Idaho – How to access public data and meeting information online for free. Brandon Woolf, Idaho State Controller, will guide attendees through state tools for finding government financial data and upcoming public meetings. LWVID is a founding member of the IDOG coalition and shares its mission to foster open government, supervised by an informed and engaged citizenry.
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series Presentation, Comparative Politics 101: Understanding Transitions between Democratic and Autocratic Regimes, presented by Amy G. Mazur on Wed., Dec. 3 at 12 p.m. in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium. This presentation focuses on the operational concepts and processes that students of regime change use to understand transitions between democratic and autocratic forms of government.
The first seminar from Idahoans for Openess in Government (IDOG) is on November 19, 2025, from 1:00–3:30 p.m. MT in the Idaho Capitol Building’s Lincoln Auditorium and focuses on Campaign Finance and Reporting – the rules and how to access data. Join Phil McGrane, Idaho Secretary of State, for a detailed overview of Idaho’s campaign finance system and how transparency helps build public trust. LWVID is a founding member of the IDOG coalition and shares its mission to foster open government, supervised by an informed and engaged citizenry.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a virtual Speaker Series presentation, Have They Gone Crazy? Political Conspiracy Theories and Our Fellow Citizens, with Neil Levy on Wednesday, November 19 at 12 p.m. Levy, a philosophy professor at Macquarie University and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford, will explore why conspiracy theories attract millions of believers, why both the left and right are susceptible, and what research suggests about how many people truly hold these beliefs.
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation, The People's Voice: The Past, Present, and Future of Idaho's Ballot-Initiative Process, by Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 12 in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium. This presentation will focus on Idaho’s proud history of citizen-led initiatives and the ongoing need to protect Idaho’s initiative process.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation, The Devolution of Journalism in America, with William Brock on Wednesday, November 5 at 12 p.m. in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium. Brock, a veteran reporter and editor for major newspapers in Montana and Idaho, will discuss the economic pressures facing traditional journalism, the decline of independent reporting, and the resulting rise of disinformation in today’s media landscape.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Speaker Series event, David Hume and the Culture Wars, presented by Joseph Campbell on Wednesday, October 29 at 12 p.m. in the 1912 Center Arts Workshop. Campbell, recently retired after 26 years as a philosophy professor at Washington State University, will explore how David Hume (1711–1776), a leading thinker of the Scottish Enlightenment and friend of Adam Smith, sheds light on today’s culture wars. By examining Hume’s distinction between scientific knowledge and value judgments, Campbell will discuss why debates over morality, politics, and society often seem unresolvable—and how Hume’s insights can guide us toward a deeper understanding of these challenges.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Candidate Forum on Thur., Oct. 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the 1912 Center Great Room, featuring candidates for Moscow School Board and Moscow Cemetery Board. Send questions in advance to: moscow.league.questions2@gmail.com.
Join us for the Boise City Council Candidate Forum for District 6 on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Pierce Park Elementary School in Boise. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Idaho Education Fund, this nonpartisan forum will feature candidates Jimmy Hallyburton, Lisa Sanchez, and Lynn Bradescu.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow for a Candidate Forum on Wed., Oct. 22 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the 1912 Center Great Room, featuring candidates for Moscow City Council and Moscow Mayor. Send questions in advance to: moscow.league.questions2@gmail.com.
The public is invited to an evening of conversation, community, and good food at Goody’s Deli on Wednesday, October 22, at 6:00 p.m. The event, titled “Energy in Idaho,” will feature Aaron Menenberg, Idaho Policy Manager for Renewable Northwest, discussing Idaho’s evolving energy landscape and how local policies can shape our energy future.
The League of Women Voters of Lewis Clark Valley and the LC Valley Chamber of Commerce invite you to a Candidate Forum on Monday, October 14 from 6:30–7:45 p.m. at the Lewiston City Library. Candidates for Lewiston Mayor and City Council will share their views and answer questions about key issues facing the community. The forum will be moderated by Keith Havens, who will introduce the candidates and guide the discussion. This nonpartisan event is free and open to the public—an opportunity for voters to hear directly from those seeking to serve the City of Lewiston.
Join the League of Women Voters of Moscow at the 1912 Center Living Room on Sun., Oct. 12 from 4-5 p.m. for our next Sip & Speak social conversation hour. We encourage you to bring a snack or drink to share but this is not required. We would love to see you there!
Join us for the Caldwell City Council Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Caldwell City Hall. This event, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Idaho Education Fund and the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, will give community members the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their vision for Caldwell’s future. All are welcome to attend and engage in this important conversation about our city’s leadership.
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation, Why Only Clean Energy Can Secure Idaho's Future, at 12 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 24 at the 1912 Center Arts Workshop room by Aaron Menenberg, Idaho Policy Manager at Renewable Northwest. Beginning with a brief overview of Idaho's energy system and growing energy demand, Aaron will outline a path forward for the state that leverages its abundant natural resources to support our growing economy and population in the most economically and socially responsible way.
Join us for the Caldwell Mayor Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Caldwell City Hall. This event, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Idaho Education Fund and the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, will give community members the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their vision for Caldwell’s future. All are welcome to attend and engage in this important conversation about our city’s leadership.
In recognition of Constitution Day, Lewis-Clark State College will host a panel and audience discussion on the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship.
Join the League of Women Voters Moscow for a Speaker Series presentation, Seeking the Possible Over the Perfect: Compromises, Voting Rights, and the U.S. Constitution, at 12 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 17 at the University of Idaho Library.
The League of Women Voters of Pocatello will be at Idaho State University on September 16, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for National Voter Registration Day. Visit us at the Eli Oboler Library or the Pond Student Union Building to register to vote or update your information.
The League of Women Voters of Pocatello invites you to our Back to League Potluck on September 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. at Upper Ross Park. Join us for a shared meal and a special presentation by constitutional law expert Dr. David Adler on voting rights and democracy.
Libraries are among the most trusted institutions in America. From cradle to grave, libraries provide opportunity and enrichment for everyone in their communities. Yet in recent years, libraries have been facing unprecedented challenges – bans on library materials and programs, threats to cut local funding, and state legislation that would criminalize librarians for doing their jobs. Now the federal government is moving to cut off its modest but effective support for libraries, from withdrawal of funding for broadband to the elimination of the only source of federal funding for our nation’s 125,000 libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
In this sixth in a series of Show Up For Our Libraries webinars, ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team will host a conversation aimed at providing advocates with the tools they need to engage with their congressmembers more directly.
ALA Committee on Legislation Chair Susan Hempstead will be joined by special guests, including Kate Alderete, director of the Public Library of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County, who has worked to establish a relationship with library and digital opportunity champion Senator Ben Ray Luján and Brad Fitch, a longtime CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation and former Capitol Hill staffer.
This event will be hosted in Zoom. Automatic captions will be enabled for this event. If you are unable to attend live, you will still receive access to the recording.
The League of Women Voters will be at the Welcome Back Orange & Black event, connecting with college students and sharing information about voter registration and civic engagement. Stop by to learn how you can get involved and make your voice heard on campus and beyond.
Before summer fades, join us for food, fun, and great conversation! Come join us as we meet new members, plan fall activities and enjoy the summer sunshine!
Please join us for Hands Around the Capitol 2025, celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 25, 2025 from 11am to 4pm in Cecil Andrus Park in Boise, Idaho. This is a statewide in-person, educational and awareness event that will be connected by live streaming platforms to coordinate with national ADA celebrations and awareness events across our nation.
League members from across Idaho will gather in Coeur d’Alene for a one-day State Convention filled with energy, insight, and shared purpose. Against the scenic backdrop of North Idaho’s lakes and evergreens, attendees will come together to conduct official business, exchange ideas, and recommit to the League’s mission: empowering voters and defending democracy.
The League of Women Voters of Pocatello is hosting a Postcard Writing Event in response to the LWVUS’s declaration that the U.S. is in a Constitutional Crisis. This is your chance to take meaningful action and make your voice heard.
The League of Women Voters invites you to our 2025 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 5:30 PM at Goody’s Deli in Pocatello.
This is a wonderful opportunity to gather with members and guests to reflect on our accomplishments, elect new board members, and look ahead to the important work ahead.
We are excited to welcome Summer Jackman as our guest speaker. Summer will share insights on behalf of Idahoans United for Women and Families (IUWF) and speak about their important Reproductive Freedom Initiative—a critical effort to protect and expand reproductive rights in Idaho.
Join us for an evening of inspiration, civic engagement, and community connection. All are welcome!
The League of Women Voters of Idaho is hosting a public forum for candidates running for the Meridian Library District Board of Trustees. This event provides voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and make informed decisions in the upcoming May 20 election.
The League of Women Voters of Idaho is hosting a public forum for candidates running for the Ada County Free Library District Board of Trustees. This event provides voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and make informed decisions in the upcoming May 20 election.
The League of Women Voters of Idaho will host a public forum for candidates running for the Canyon County Highway District 4 Board of Commissioners. This upcoming event will give voters a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their priorities, vision, and plans for maintaining and improving the county’s roadways.