League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn Recognizes Members with Special Awards
Awards presented April 2024 at the Annual Meeting. Glen Ellyn, Illinois--Since the year 2000, the League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn (LWVGE) has recognized outstanding volunteer efforts from among its hundreds of members with an annual awards program. Selected by committee from nominations submitted by the members, the most recent awards were bestowed upon the recipient during the LWVGE’s 2023-24 annual meeting.
The League announced the 2023-24 recipients of the following awards to recognize the outstanding contribution to voter education and community service that has resulted from their volunteer efforts benefiting the civic process and the citizens of the village of Glen Ellyn. Awards were given to Glen Ellyn residents Sandra Alexander, Kim Dorn, Jen Bystra, Clara Hughes, Julie Evans, and Miles Evans.
Susan B Anthony Voter Service Award
The Susan B. Anthony Voter Service Award is given annually to a League member who has contributed in the realm of voter service. This year, that person is Sandra Alexander. Sandra spearheaded the Democracy Drop-in Program at the GE Public Library and at the Wheaton Public Library. This program invites members and the community at large to take action on a specific issue, such as campaign finance reform. Alexander also initiated the "Lollapalooza" summer voter education/registration program four years ago for teens waiting at the GE train station to go to Chicago for the concert.
According to LWVGE Award Committee Chair Ginger Wheeler, “Sandra’s creativity to find ways to truly reach our community of voters of all ages drives her to action. She thinks beyond the obvious ways to meet the moment and energize our members and community to act and vote. Sandra has been a voice that gets people to think about what it means to be in the LWV.”
Outstanding New League Member Service Award
The Outstanding New League Member Service Award is bestowed on a newer League member who has jumped in to take a leadership role,even though s/he is new to the organization. The 2024 New Member Service award goes to two first year members, Kim Dorn and Jen Bystra who stepped up to volunteer in new roles in the Voter Services area.
The duo organized registration events and one oversaw training and scheduling for registrars, including five locations on National Voter Registration Day resulting in 150 new or updated voter registrations. One also participated in the Naturalization Ceremony on November 13 at Cantigny.
To prepare for the March 19 primary election, they coordinated registration events at four sites, resulting in 50 new or updated voter registrations. Said Wheeler, “Thanks to this dynamic duo, we now have over 200 new voters. This is due to their strategic approach and excellent communication with registration sites and with 45 registrars in LWVGE. They are a great team!”
Phyllis Renfro Community Action award
The 2024 Phyllis Renfro Community Action Award, (post-humously named for former Village of Glen Ellyn President, Village Board member and active League member Phyllis Renfro), goes to three members who have been community leaders and exceptional activists for a cause supported by LWVGE issue positions: They are being recognized for their passion for increasing Affordable Housing in Glen Ellyn. As key advocates, they worked to support the effort behind the property on Taft/ Roosevelt Road which was purchased by the Village and ultimately designated for Affordable Housing. The award this year goes to Clara Hughes, Julie Evans, and Miles Evans.
Hughes has been a member of the LWVGE Social Justice Committee, as well as DuPage United. Julie Evans has often been recognized for her work advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities within our community with a focus on the need for more affordable and supportive housing availability in Glen Ellyn. Miles Evans has been the face of this effort, speaking at open meetings to help persuade the public to better understand the community who will benefit from supportive housing.
“Their hard work and relentless determinism will positively impact housing in Glen Ellyn for seniors, those with disabilities, and those working in our Village, but unable to afford to live here, for years to come,” according to Wheeler.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League welcomes new members and civic minded community members to its public meetings and candidate forums. For more information, visit lwvge.org.
For more information contact:
Nicole DeJoris, LWVGE Media Relations
info@lwvge.com