Latest News, News The Clark County Historical Museum continues its 2023 Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, with “Defending Democracy: Founding of League of Women Voters in Clark County,” at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.
On the heels of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920, feisty Ruth Karr McKee gathered Vancouver’s key women activists to found the League of Women Voters of Clark County (LWVCC). Join LWVCC members, Elizabeth Backstrom and Tracy Reilly Kelly, as they explore this astonishing advocate, as well as what the early League did for progressive, non-partisan action. Their discussion will cover 1920 up to the early World War II years.
“Women are often forgotten when history is written,” said Reilly Kelly. “Ruth Karr McKee was an electric educator who is just thrilling to research. Thanks to newspapers.com, pairing her story with those of the dynamic early dames of the League of Women Voters is an adventure waiting to be found.”
Tracy Reilly Kelly retired as Program Manager of Community Education at Clark College. Initially a history major, Tracy received her bachelor of arts degree in human services from Evergreen State College and a master’s degree in teaching health education at Portland State University. In 2008, Tracy was honored as a Woman of Achievement by the YWCA of Clark County and Clark College. She currently teaches at Clark College.
Elizabeth Backstrom is the Director of Grants and Contracts for YWCA Spokane, working remotely and enjoying life in Vancouver. She majored in journalism at Western Washington University and earned a master of public administration degree at Eastern Washington University. She joined the LWVCC in August 2021 because of a longtime passion for voting rights and a belief that with enough effort, democracy can work for everyone.
