League of Women Voters Executive Director to Depart

Nancy E. Tate Leaves League after Fifteen Years at Helm

 Washington, D.C.  – The League of Women Voters announced today that executive director Nancy E. Tate would be leaving her position at the League in early September. A search for well-qualified and talented candidates who can build on Nancy’s achievements is in the final stages and an announcement is expected this fall.

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen profound changes in the country and in the world that have impacted our electoral politics, our national and economic security, as well as the way in which people engage with each other in the civic arena,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, president of the League of Women Voters of the U.S. “Over that period of time, the League has been fortunate to have a creative and strategic executive director at the helm of the national office in Nancy Tate.”

“Nancy has guided the staff and inspired the national Board to think and act strategically and lead us into the 21^st Century,” MacNamara said. “From establishing VOTE411.org as the preeminent national online election resource to launching the League’s Public Advocacy for Voter Protection program working at the state level to remove barriers to underrepresented voters, Nancy’s leadership has been effective, forward-thinking and enabled the League’s impact to grow nationwide.”

“As a League member and former local League president in Arlington, VA, it is, and has always been, a privilege to work for and with the best organization, leaders and volunteers in America,” said Tate. “I came to the League when the issues central to the organization’s mission were thrust onto the national stage following the 2000 election.  In the years since, we have mobilized our resources at the national, state and local levels to fight against voter suppression, excessive money in politics, partisan gerrymandering and other challenges and can claim some important successes. The challenges continue.  But I leave the organization knowing it will continue towards its goal of Making Democracy Work®, by keeping the power of our democracy in the hands of the people, and working to ensure our elections are fair, free and accessible to all eligible voters.”

“I am proud of the role the League has played in improving our system of government, said Tate. “The sky is the limit for an organization like the League. We’ve grown our national network significantly over the last 15 years and continue as a vital force with nearly 800 Leagues in communities nationwide. As we have done since our founding, we have empowered millions of people to make their voices heard in the political process. And we stepped up, mobilizing our supporters to take action on the critical issues of voter suppression, money in politics, climate change, clean air, healthcare reform, and others.  We have a great deal to be proud of and so much more to do as we approach the 100^th anniversary of the organization in 2020,” Tate said.

“We are incredibly grateful for Nancy’s leadership and the many achievements throughout her tenure, and hope that there may be other ways to engage her with the work of the LWVUS in the future,” concluded MacNamara. “This year, the League of Women Voters proudly celebrates our 95^th birthday as a stronger, forward-facing organization, and much of that is due to the leadership of Nancy Tate.”

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Contact: Kelly Ceballos, 202-263-1331, [email protected].

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