Two League members at an ERA rally in DC
Urge President Biden to Publish the Equal Rights Amendment With just months left in office, we are urging President Biden to act to ensure that the ERA is published.
Image of a young John Lewis behind a microphone
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Tell Congress to protect the freedom to vote.
Protestor holding a sign that says "There's no planet B"
Urge Congress to Address the Climate Crisis Ask your representatives to address climate change and protect our youths' futures! 
A young Pennsylvanian registering to vote at a LWV event
Show Your Support Advocate for Voting Rights
View All Action Alerts
Register to vote
Register to vote - get started now at VOTE411.org
View All Action Alerts

Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past director inducted into Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame

This story was originally published by WFMJ.

Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past Executive Director Penelope "Penny" Wells has been inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Thursday.

Wells has fought for civil rights, as well as voter rights and fair housing in Youngstown for her entire life.

She attended Brown University and upon graduation became a teacher working in several different schools with many programs including a recycling program at Volney Rogers Junior High School.

Wells is the founder of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past and was also inducted into the Mahoning Valley League of Women Voters in 2016.

According to the non-profit's website, when Wells was attending a teacher's conference in Florida in 2006, she learned of Sojourn to the Past, a California-based non-profit organization.

With the support of then Volney Rogers principal, Marilyn Mastronarde and then YCSD Superintendent, Wendy Web, money was raised and six high school students were selected to participate in the Sojourn to the Past journey.

The non-profit began operation in the spring of 2007 taking high school students on a journey to the civil rights sites in the south, where they meet the "foot soldiers" of the civil rights movement and learn the lessons of social and racial justice, nonviolence, civic responsibility, hope, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and not being a silent witness.

Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past has hosted numerous events including Ohio Nonviolence Week, which has been celebrated in the Valley since 2010.

The Latest from the League

Fair Districts Equal Fair Elections: LWV Ohio Shows how Gerrymandering Took the “Swing” Out of Swing State

Predictable Results: A Report from the League of Women Voters of Ohio Comparing 2011 Gerrymandering to the 2012 and 2014 Election Results, concluded that Ohio’s legislative districts are rigged to yield completely predictable results.

Blog /
League Joins Amicus in Ohio Purging Case A. Phillip Randolph Inst. v. John Husted

The League joined Common Cause and Project Vote on an amicus brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in the case of A. Phillip Randolph Inst.

Article /
LWV Ohio Files Amicus Brief in Ohio Primary Election Case

The League of Women Voters of Ohio filed an amicus brief in the case Ex Rel. Ohio Democratic Party v. Frank LaRose. The case concerns when and how to conduct Ohio’s rescheduled primary election in light of last week’s postponement due to COVID-19.

Press Release /