League Events, Winter 2026

2026 is going to be a busy year! With a new government installed in Richmond, League visits to the General Assembly, High school registrations, MLK Jr. Oratorical Contest, we are going to be busy!

All of these events are available in our calendar:

Calendar of Events – Prince William – Fauquier Area League of Women Voters

Starting Off with Good News - Barbara Johns

For decades, Virginia was represented in the U.S. Capitol by statues of President George Washington and Robert E. Lee. The Lee statue was removed in 2020. It has finally been replaced with a statue of Barbara Johns, the teen whose protest at her Farmville high school eventually helped desegregate schools across the U.S. There is a wonderful statute of her on the Capitol grounds in Richmond.

January 13 - Special Election in HD 23 to replace Candi Mundon King

January 14.- 2026 General Assembly session begins

January 14 - WLRTs begin (see below)

January 19 - 41st Annual MLK Program and Youth Oratorical Competition

January 20 - Virginia's 4th Democracy Day in Richmond, sponsored by Big Money Out VA. For more information and to register, click here.

February 10 - Reception in Richmond for legislators, prior to League Day

February 11 - League Day. Visit your legislators in Richmond. RSVP to either or both HERE.

Remember to sign up for the Women’s Legislative Roundtables and League Day and our League Day Reception (information below.)

Women's Legislative Round Tables (WLRTs) 2026 WLRTS are Forty-Five Years Old!!!

All WLRTs are virtual this year and begin at 8:30 AM.

Jan 14 – Campaign Finance Reform, Election Security, Zuckerbucks Bill

Jan 21 – Ranked Choice Voting, The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, Risk Limiting Audits

Jan 28 – Reproductive Health

Feb 4 – Health Care/Gun and Domestic Violence

Feb 18 – Housing

Feb 25 – Environment/Transparency

Mar 4 – Education/Child Care

March 11- Wrap Up

RSVP to each here.

All WLRTs are free, although donations are appreciated. You can RSVP to all or only the ones that you are interested in. They are all on Zoom, at 8:30 am.

LWV-VA Legislative Priorities

Did you miss our 2026 Pre-session on this topic? No worries--you can listen to the recording here. Our Legislative Priorities can be found on our website.

40th Annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Competition and Program

The Prince William Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta (PWCAC- DST) 40th Annual Dr. King Youth Oratorical Competition and Program will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 18410 Chapel Street, Triangle, VA 22172. The theme for this year is "Awakening the Dream: Breaking Barriers in the Fight for Justice and Unity.”

Our League honors Dr. King and the Oratorical Competition by donating books to the winners at middle school and high school levels. All are invited.

Admission is free. Additional information on the annual Dr. King program, youth choir participation, and Day of Service donation can be found at https://www.pwcacdst.org/41st-annual-mlk-program .

League Day and Reception, Feb. 10 - 11

There will be a reception at 6pm for members of the Virginia General Assembly on Feb 10, followed by our day of advocacy on Feb 11. You can RSVP to either or both HERE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE TO EITHER THE RECEPTION OR THE LEAGUE DAY - but we are asking for donations to help offset the cost. Book your ROOM at the Delta Marriott at our group rate of $180 - the cutoff date is Jan 20.

Frustrating and Sad - We were warned...

Department of Homeland Security Has Ended Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies

Read this op-ed, published by The Hill.

Volunteers needed - at home or out in the public.

Some volunteer positions can be done from home. Example:

LWV needs aTreasurer! Shari is stepping down due to personal health reasons. You will be given training and support. Please consider, as this is an important role. Email Pat Reilly (ReillyPat18@gmail.com) to learn more.
The newsletter needs an editor! It goes out on a quarterly basis and lets you know what is going on in our chapter. To see some of the latest newsletters, click here. This position begins immediately, with the next Newsletter due in January, 2026. Email Connie (conniewg51@gmail.com) or call (703-209-3134) for more information.
The by-laws revision committee needs some committee members. This can also be done at home. Contact Connie (conniewg51@gmail.com) for more information

There are ongoing voter registration efforts!

High schools and colleges across our League area are receiving out help, making sure all are registered to vote. We need help with this! Please contact Laura (smushaw@comcast.net) to let her know you want to become a voter registration volunteer. To see a list of the schools and dates, click here. The hours are all within the school hours, 7:30 - 2, and vary from school to school.

Have you ever listened to a podcast? There are many out there, but only a few are what we, the League, would recommend.

Consider the Constitution is a podcast from the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier. The show provides insight into constitutional issues that directly affect every American. Hosted by Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey the podcast features interviews with constitutional scholars, policy and subject matter experts, heritage professionals, and legal practitioners.

If you have never listened to a podcast before, this is an excellent way to start. Listen on your phone, or on your laptop or iPad. There is a list of topics to choose - ranging from discussion on the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments, to slavery, the constitution, and how it led to the civil war, and debunking political myths. Something for everyone! They run from 18 to 25 minutes in length. Click here to listen to Consider the Constitution.

The latest edition of the Virginia Voter is available! Click here to read the January 2026 edition as well as any of the older ones.

This newest edition is chock full of information, especially advocacy events taking place during the time that the General Assembly is meeting.

Moment by Moment: Important Information for All of Us

We all know that the League is committed to DEI

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

Board member Sheila Arrington leads our chapter's Diversity Committee.

Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | League of Women Voters

Board Seeks Active and Engaged Members

The Board of Directors has several open seats and we welcome your participation. We need people to help us develop programs, suggest and find speakers, create and organize events. We love our members, and we would like you to love working with the League. Every person counts and has something to contribute.

Contact lwvpwfa@gmail.com

To quote Uncle Sam, “We Need You”!

Are you interested in learning how to become a leader in social change across Virginia?

The Virginia Progressive Leadership Program (VAPLP) is now accepting applications for its summer 2026 cohort, Pod 12. Over the past decade, VAPLP has equipped BIPOC leaders and those with diverse lived experiences with the tools, skills, and strategies to drive social change across Virginia. It is a transformative, four-month program that offers participants weekend retreats, access to crucial movement leaders, and a powerful community to build leadership and advance racial and social justice work. This program is offered at no-cost to participants. For more information, click here.

Reminder:

There will be a board meeting on Jan.20, 2026.

You are all invited!

The Fall 2025 Edition

“The Prince William - Fauquier Voter”

To download the Fall 2025 Edition, click HERE.

princewilliamlwv.org

You can read all of our newsletters online or download them.

Including this one!