Debbie Laskey's Blog: Let's Celebrate #WomensEqualityDay with Celina Stewart of the League of Women Voters of the US!

Today is Women's Equality Day and marks the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This important day celebrates the achievements of women's rights activists (including my great-grandmother who marched for women's suffrage in upstate New York in the early 1900's) and reminds us of the struggles that women continue to face. Some of these struggles include the lack of equal pay for equal work; gender stereotypes, unconscious bias, and lack of mentorship opportunities in the workplace; a higher risk of sexual harassment in the workplace; under-representation in leadership positions; gender bias in hiring and promotions; and the impact of the motherhood penalty.

According to the National Women's History Alliance, "At the behest of Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971, the United States Congress designated August 26th as "Women's Equality Day." The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world's first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."

Founded soon after the passage of the 19th Amendment, the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan grassroots volunteer organization that operates at the national, state, and local level, was born in 1920 when "fearless women fought for and finally attained the right to vote. Originally designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters and to nurture civic leaders, the League helps voters - both women and men - become informed and engaged citizens."

Earlier this summer on July 19th in Los Angeles, I had the incredible honor to meet Celina Stewart, the Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States, based in Washington, DC. In February, on behalf of my local League of Women Voters, I had issued an invitation to Celina to visit Southern California and speak to my local League - and she accepted my invitation! During her Southern California visit, also referred to as a "listening tour," she met members of 10 local Leagues and was the featured guest speaker at events held in San Diego, Manhattan Beach, and the San Fernando Valley. Some may argue that the League of Women Voters is no longer nonpartisan, but as Celina explained, "Our positions have remained unchanged over the decades, they were not ever political. People attack the League because we make a difference, but the League is the watchdog of democracy."

A legal expert, voting rights champion, and lifelong democracy defender, Celina Stewart serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States. In this role since August of 2024, she oversees the operations of the inspiring 105-year-old voting rights organization; and she and her team work to foster alignment across the national office and the 750-plus State and local Leagues.

Celina earned her JD Degree from Western Michigan University Law School and her BA Degree in Sociology from Spelman College. Prior to joining the League, she was acting Chief Operating Officer and Director of Philanthropy at an electoral reform nonprofit – and also served as a litigation consultant for law firms and legislators.

In 2018, Celina first joined the League as "Director of Advocacy and Litigation." In that role, she developed and implemented League political strategies and policy positions regarding voting rights, election reform, redistricting, and campaign finance issues. She also directed litigation opportunities for the national, State, and local Leagues in federal courts while serving as the lead lobbyist and liaison with Congress and the Administration.

In 2019, she was quoted in the Spelman Messenger, "Once everyday people are engaged and feel motivated to participate, our democracy is strengthened."

She was promoted to "Senior Director" in April 2019 and to "Chief Counsel" in July 2020; and in those roles, she built stronger relationships with legal partners resulting in increased visibility for the League of Women Voters on Capitol Hill.

Dianna Wynn, the President of the national League, describes Celina as, "A born leader and proven problem-solver. Celina's dedication to the League combined with her strategic vision and leadership are invaluable as the League continues to empower voters and defend democracy."

Here's a quote from Celina's appointment ceremony in August 2024, "We are living in a truly unprecedented and historic time. Every day, there's a new attack, and women are being called to save our country. And that call is urgent. We don't have time for fear or hesitation. All we have time to do is whatever it takes to ensure that the work we are doing today leaves enough breadcrumbs for the next generation of Leagues to carry the organization – and the brand – beyond 2120."

And here's a quote from a blog post Celina wrote as our country celebrated Independence Day last month, "Our movement draws inspiration from the suffragists who founded the League over a century ago. They understood that democracy is – NOT – self-sustaining – it must be actively defended by each generation – because threats emerge in EVERY generation. The suffragists did not win the right to vote by asking nicely. They organized – protested – and demonstrated."

I recalled an important article written by Dianna Wynn (President of the national League) in January about the organization's name where she wrote, "To me, now more than ever, it's clear that 'WOMEN' is an essential part of our name — and always will be...Organizations like the League of Women Voters empower women and fight to protect our freedoms so that we can become more fully represented in our democracy...In these trying times when some seek to take power AWAY from women, it's important to emphasize – including in our name – that women have fought for and deserve a voice at the ballot box and in our government. To drop 'WOMEN' from our name does a disservice to those who came before us. We carry out their legacy as we advance democracy and voting rights into our second century. It also does a disservice to the women of today who are fighting for equality in every aspect of their lives, from political representation to equal pay to reproductive freedom."

So, when I asked Celina her thoughts about the name of the organization and how to attract more male allies, she responded, "We want the League to be open and reflective of everyone. Our power is as individuals and also together."

During Celina's July 19th event, she said, "We are our ancestors' wildest dreams." I, for one, agree with that statement, because I have accomplished things in my life that my great-grandmother, who marched for women's suffrage leading up to 1920, could only dream about. But, of course, we still have a long, long way to go!

Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, the 10th President of Spelman College, wrote in 2019, "Our Spelmanites are ambitious for themselves and even more ambitious for each other and their communities, the mark of real leaders. Join me in celebrating the women of Spelman who have devoted their lives to public service and the welfare of their communities, their country, and the world."

Celina is truly the embodiment of this quote, and I thank her for inspiring me everyday since I first heard her speak at her August 2024 appointment ceremony - but especially today on Women's Equality Day!

Image Credits: LWV-Beach Cities (Debbie Laskey and Celina Stewart photo taken July 17, 2025) and LWVUS.

Read mentioned posts from the LWVUS Blog:

LWVUS President Dianna Wynn: Why We Will Remain the League of WOMEN Voters (January 2025)

https://www.lwv.org/blog/why-we-will-remain-league-women-voters

LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart: Democracy Needs Defenders, Not Cheerleaders (July 2025)

https://www.lwv.org/blog/independence-day-democracy-needs-defenders-not-cheerleaders

CNN: Why Work Is (Still) Not Working for Women (March 2025)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/world/womens-equality-at-work-globally-as-equals-intl-cmd

Read previous #WomensEqualityDay posts on my blog:

Celebrate #WomensEqualityDay with Erika Andersen (August 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/lets-celebrate-womensequalityday-with.html

Gender Bias and #WomensEqualityDay with Amy Diehl (August 2023)