Empowering Change: A Conversation with Diane Burrows from the League of Women Voters NYC
Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Diane Burrows from the League of Women Voters NYC. We spoke about her inspiring journey from a 38-year teaching career to becoming a driving force with the League. In our discussion, she shed light on the organization's mission, the challenges she faced throughout her career, and the importance of young people’s involvement in shaping a better future.
From the start of her career, Diane had a passion for impact. She told me, “I taught high school, but most of my career was teaching 5th graders. I felt as though I really had an impact on their lives and what I did was meaningful and productive.” Her decades in the classroom imparting knowledge and molding young minds sowed the seeds of a deep desire to continue making a difference. Upon retiring in 2015, she sought a new path that would be impactful and meaningful, leading her to the League of Women Voters NYC.
With the League of Women Voters NYC, Diane is committed to protecting women’s rights from a non-partisan view. From the organization's inception in 1920, the League has championed women’s rights, including reproductive rights, recognizing that empowering women requires safeguarding their control over their own bodies. This commitment endures today, as the League stands for various critical issues such as reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, election reform, education, and gun control. However, the League is still a non-partisan organization. Achieving the delicate balance between being non-partisan and championing feminist and women’s policies is a challenging task. Diane explained, “We take positions based on our being a grassroots organization. What matters is the issues we care about, not where any particular political party might stand.” This distinction ensures that the League’s positions are rooted in their values and principles rather than partisan affiliations. It’s a stance that fosters transparency, as demonstrated during the League’s National Conventions, where positions are proposed, debated, and voted on by members of the League.
I learned from my conversation with Diane that the League of Women Voters NYC advocates for reproductive rights on all fronts – locally and nationally. Navigating the ever-changing political landscape is a crucial aspect of the League’s work. At the local level, they monitor city council activities, while at the state level, active advocacy is key. They have formed coalitions with organizations like Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and Common Cause, recognizing that collaboration is essential. At the national level, the League’s involvement extends to monitoring legislation, taking positions in front of courts, and lobbying politicians to take action on legislation that defends women’s rights.
Diane concluded our discussion with a message to aspiring young activists: “What are you passionate about? Find an organization that aligns with your interests and get involved.” This advice echoes the power of youth activism seen in movements like “March for Our Lives,” where young individuals not only marched, but also made their voices heard at the voting booths. “Vote in the people–and out,” she emphasizes, highlighting the pivotal role voting plays in driving meaningful change. “Because if we don’t vote people out of office, nothing is going to change.”
In our rapidly evolving world, the League of Women Voters NYC serves as a beacon of hope, a champion of women’s rights, and a reminder that every voice matters. As we look to the future, Diane’s words resonate as a call to action for young individuals to stand up for what they believe in, get involved, and make their voices heard. It is through these collective efforts that we can build a more just and equitable society.
