WASHINGTON, DC — Following the League of Women Voters' 57th Biennial National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the League announced its newly elected national leadership for the 2026–2028 biennium, with Sania Irwin at the helm as president of the national Board of Directors. Together, the new Board will help lead the League's nationwide movement to empower voters, defend and strengthen democracy, and mobilize communities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and for sustained civic participation.
More than 1,000 delegates from across the country gathered at the end of June in Ohio, and virtually, to elect national leadership, set priorities for the next biennium, and launch the League's next phase of organizing through lwv.org/uniteandrise.
"I am deeply honored to serve as president of the League of Women Voters during such a consequential moment for our democracy," said Sania Irwin, president of the League of Women Voters. "The League has always met history with courage, conviction, and action. Today, we are called to be an unshakable, visible force for a just and inclusive democracy. Together, we will continue building a League that equips people to organize, advocate, educate, and lead so that power remains where it belongs: with the people."
Outgoing President Dianna Wynn reflected on the League's progress over the past two years and expressed confidence in the organization's future.
"Serving as national president of this historic and powerful organization has been one of the greatest honors of my life," said Dianna Wynn, immediate past president of the League of Women Voters. "Over the past biennium, our grassroots members demonstrated what is possible when ordinary people come together in extraordinary ways to defend democracy. The League became bolder, bigger, and stronger, and I am confident that our newly elected Board of Directors will continue building on that momentum as the League enters its next chapter."
League Chief Executive Officer Celina Stewart welcomed the new Board and emphasized the importance of translating the energy of Convention into action.
"The work ahead is urgent, but so is the opportunity before us," said Celina Stewart, chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters. "This Convention was a powerful reminder that democracy is not self-executing. It works because people show up to engage in thoughtful debate, make collective decisions, and exercise the shared responsibility of self-government. I look forward to partnering with President Sania Irwin and our national Board as we continue Unite & Rise 8.5, mobilize voters across the country, and build the pro-democracy movement that will shape the 2026 midterm elections and strengthen our democracy for generations to come."
The newly elected officers of the League of Women Voters are President Sania Irwin (Illinois), Vice President Vedna Lacombe-Heywood (Massachusetts), Treasurer Julie Stackhouse (Colorado), and Secretary Toni Monette (Nebraska). Delegates also elected Tracy Adkison (Georgia), Margarett Barnes (Mississippi), Mary Coltrane (Washington), Kimberly Hamlin (Ohio), Kathy Jones (Alabama), Claudia Ortega-Hogue (Texas), Cecile Scoon (Florida), and Jocelyn Travis (Alabama) to serve on the national Board of Directors. Together, they will lead the legacy voting rights organization in mobilizing voters, strengthening grassroots power, and helping deliver record participation in the 2026 midterm elections.
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