The League of Women Voters of Missoula was the first local League in Montana. Formed as a provisional League in 1951 with 58 members, it gained full status the following year in 1952. Many of its members helped to revive the defunct 1920 state League in 1955 and served as its first officers.

The League’s efforts and resulting respected reputation in the community hinged on its mission: “to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.”

That mission began with members themselves. Throughout its fifty years, members studied issues of vital interest to the community, reached consensus to form positions, and then used those to take action.

Many positions dealt with creating a more efficient, effective and open government. Members actively championed a city manager form of government (1956), city-county consolidation (1961), a state constitutional convention (1972), a new Montana Constitution (1975), good government standards (1981), a self-governing charter for the city of Missoula (1976) (1996), formation of neighborhood councils (1996), and guidelines for government if and when privatizing services (2001). Members attended government meetings as Observer Corps volunteers and served as watch dogs for open, efficient and effective government.

Health and the environment were issues emphasized throughout the League’s history. One of the first efforts of the young League in 1954-56 was a study
and action to build a sewage treatment plant. That interest continued in 1995-96 with a study of drinking water quality and a 2001 investigation into
the sewage treatment plant operations and expansion. A study of housing conditions led to support for creation of The Missoula Housing Authority
(1968). The Missoula Health Department goals and air quality effects on children were studied (1979); a hunger awareness project was begun and energy
issues acted upon (1981). Informal study groups met to learn more about the effects of pesticides on health relating to weed control and of electric deregulation (2001).

Education was a recurring topic of importance. Beginning in 1957, League members studied and lobbied for special education programs for exceptional
children, for a better organized school system (1974), consolidation of the elementary and high school districts (1971), a new public library building
(1974), public kindergartens (1974), hot lunch programs (1974), equitable school enrollment policy (1978), and effective school budgets and basic
principles of a quality education (1987). Concern for children was paramount. Members studied and advocated for quality child care (1988) and
health care for low income children through the CHIP program (2000).

As Missoula grew, land use issues became increasingly important. As early as 1958, members studied and formulated a land use position, which they updated
in 1973 and 1980. They advocated for acquisition and maintenance of parks (1972), studied taxation as it related to land use (1977), and were involved
in city code revision in 2000-2002.

Missoula League members advocated intensely, as did League members nationwide during the 1970ies, for passage of The Equal Rights Amendment and for
increased participation of women in government. Many League members went on to run for office locally and statewide. Efforts to increase citizen
participation in government by limiting campaign contributions to Montana candidates succeeded with passage of Initiative 104 in 1994 and by
eliminating soft money for national parties with national campaign finance re form in 2002.

Although most efforts of League members were concentrated on local issues, studies and advocacy on state and national topics also consumed their
attention: international trade, the U.N, voting rights, fair elections, environmental protection, basic human needs, arms control, fiscal policy,
criminal justice and state and local government relations.

Voter education began and remains a core mission of the League. It began early in 1958 when members delivered copies of “A Directory of Missoula City
Government” house to house and continued through 2002 with the twenty-year old publication of “A Guide to Government for the Missoula Area Voter.” In
addition to publications, the League provided citizens with balanced, non-partisan information through:
• Candidate forums
• Voter guides
• MCAT televising of City Council meetings (1990ies)
• Weekly radio programs (1954) and “In Other Words” on KUFM (1997-2001)
• Web sites: Homepage (1996-2002) and “DNet” candidate information
(2000)
• Luncheon speakers
• VOTER newsletter
• Advocating for better t.v. coverage of candidates (ABC Campaign)
(2000)

Voter registration and encouraging active voting by all eligible citizens was an important activity throughout the League’s history. With enactment of the
1993 Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter), which made registration more accessible, the emphasis shifted from registration to getting out the vote.
The League joined in coalition with many community groups, including the media, to promote informed voting among university students (1996), citizens
in low-turnout precincts (1996) and young people (Youth Vote 2000). Innovation was key to successful voter turnout. In 1956, the local newspaper
printed a photo of the League’s pet goose complete with caption, “I don’t vote. I just squawk!” It later appeared in The Christian Science Monitor.

As citizen participation in government has decreased over the years (too few candidates for elected office and appointed boards, low voter turn out), the
League’s mission, “to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government,” remains even more relevant today.