History of Our Local League: LWV Alachua County/ Gainesville, 1947-2004
In 1947, the population of Gainesville was growing as returning veterans were filling
classrooms at the University of Florida. Many had wives and children, some of whom lived in Flavet, the name given to the structures moved in to provide housing. Faculty were recruited from many parts of the country. The young professors found homes in Gainesville and around Alachua County for their families. One newcomer, Eve Davidson, had been an active member of the League of Women Voters in Missouri. She saw much to be done in a small college town. She began the arduous task of initiating a League of Women Voters in Gainesville.
Starting a new League requires a year of probation, during which the prospective group studies objectives and chooses goals. When the new League was recognized by the League of Women Voters of Florida and the League of Women Voters of the United States, the new members were working on study of their community, especially the need for planning and provision of standard housing for all residents. Their study led them to advocate for a professional urban planner. When the city of Gainesville contracted with a planner, Henry Churchill, the League members were the volunteers who helped survey the conditions within the African-American housing areas. Their report showed appalling problems of sanitation and crowding. The Leaguers then looked at the rat problem within those areas and within the city, especially in markets and restaurants.
Other local interests were expansion of the one hospital, Alachua General, and the stationing of a night nurse in the children's ward. Leaguers testified for the acceptance of women on juries, getting codes for the City, and more low cost housing. In 1948, they began helping register voters, working with the Supervisor of Elections. In the next years, they worked on education issues, including the public schools and improvements to public library services.
According to Flo Beth Ehninger, long time member of our local League, the young mothers would meet in the evenings when the husbands could babysit. Some were able to monitor local government meetings and to go to visit government facilities. The League then began to publish their findings, hold candidates' forums and meetings to present information about public issues. Encouraging members to run for office, serve on community boards, and advocate for issues the League had studied was part of the ongoing agenda.
Over time, the League Citizen's Handbook and the Voter's Guide became well known in the community. Letters from the League on civic issues that the group had studied were in the newspapers and Leaguers presented their findings at government meetings. One example was support for making the school superintendent an appointed position. The League has also recognized the work of outstanding office holders in Alachua County by presenting awards to officials. In similar manner, the League has given awards to outstanding citizens.
The League through nearly six decades, has given input and sent delegates to meetings of the League of Women Voters of Florida and the LWV of the United States, thus representing the local community to the state and national Leagues.
