By Beth Pellicciotti, 2nd Vice President, LWV of Washington

At the LWV of Washington 2021 Convention, Ann Murphy, president of the LWV of the Spokane Area, was presented the prestigious Dorothy Roberts Award in grateful appreciation for her years of service to the League of Women Voters and to the state of Washington. The Dorothy Roberts Award is presented every two years at the LWVWA Convention to a person who shows commitment, dedication, and passion for the mission of the state League, with an emphasis on accomplishments outside the League.

When Ann’s name was announced for this award, a chorus of yeas went up among the large virtual Zoom audience. Ann served as president of the LWVWA from 2015 to 2019 (and on the Board in 1994 and 2013-2014). She is known by her fine work:

• She guided the state Board through advocacy and voter service efforts, working to improve public policy and promote democracy.

• As part of the Advocacy Team (2017-2020), she worked to create and edit member alerts in the Legislative Newsletter so League members could track bills. She coordinated the Advocacy Team in presenting Action Workshops across the state to connect League members to League Issue Chairs and upcoming legislative issues.

• Her work with the national League’s Transformation Roadmap provided the foundation for the LWVWA’s own Strategic Plan in 2017, and she led in developing subsequent goals through 2019. She was on the LWVWA Board of Directors (2011-2015), serving as treasurer (2013-2015) and as president (2015-2019).

• Her service to the Spokane League is no less impressive, having been president, VP of Action, secretary, and editor of the The Voter newsletter. Ann was a member of the LWV of Pullman from 1971 to 1975, the Othello unit-at-large from 1977 to 1979, and then a member of the LWV of the Spokane Area since 1982. That’s 45 years as a League member!

Ann had a successful career as an environmental educator and as a K-6 instructor. She continues to teach and advocate as she leads the Spokane League through the often complex redistricting process and as she advocates for greater transparency in this and other government processes.

It was a grateful state League that awarded this prestigious award to Ann Murphy, teacher, advocate, and Board leader. Members of the Spokane League are most proud of her and this well-deserved recognition.

The second Spokane League member that the state League recognized is Beverly Austin. Bev served on the LWVWA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2021, working closely with Karen Verrill on the development of the elementary edition of the state League’s civics textbook, and on forming and overseeing the state’s Civics Education Committee.

Bev was also in charge of the LWVWA 2021 Convention in June. It was a big job! Those who attended the convention know that it had many moving parts. Bev decided how all of these moving parts fit together. Whenever members were voting, they had the chance to talk about the substance of the issue in a caucus. When they attended a workshop, they knew they were going into a session that was thoughtful, current, and allowed for discussion and the sharing of ideas.

This was a convention with focused discussion and a vote on staggered terms for state Board members, on a new state League study—the first in years—and a concurrence with another state League’s study. And Bev organized all of this remotely and at a very affordable registration fee. Isn’t this a little like Ginger Rogers dancing backward in heels?

For all this planning and coordination for the convention and for the enormous lift you have given to civics education–thank you, Bev!