NM STATE CONVENTION
Join us at the 2025 New Mexico state convention of the League of Women Voters, where your voice matters more than ever; this is your chance to engage with fellow advocates, explore vital issues, and shape the future of our community through informed dialogue and action.
“The fight to empower voters and protect democracy begins at the state and local level. Join together to hear what’s happening in our state.”
The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County invites you to the 2025 LWVNM State Convention
NM Delegation at the 2024 National Convention
- Network with members from all over the state
- Enjoy a reception at the home of a local League member
- Reflect on our achievements of the last two years and plan for the next two years
- Hear from Alexis Juday-Marshall, our LWVUS board liaison, during lunch
- Enjoy an afternoon sharing ideas with other League members, hiking on a local trail or a taking a guided museum tour
- Dine at the venerable La Fonda on the Plaza and hear from Leon Howard, the Interim Executive Director of ACLU-NM on protecting New Mexico residents and defending democracy in 2025
- Elect a new board, adopt a program for study and action and adopt a budget
- Go home invigorated and prepared for the challenges ahead.
LEARN MORE
Everything taking place at this year’s conference
Leon Howard, Interim Executive Director, NM ACLU
Exciting activities abound on Saturday
The history of the Santa Fe County League
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, April 25
4:30-7:00 p.m.
Evening reception at the home of Judy Williams
SATURDAY, April 26
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Registration at The Lodge at Santa Fe
9:00 a.m.
Welcome from TBD
Introduction to LWVUS Liaison Alexis Juday-Marshall
9:30-11:55 a.m.
First Plenary Session
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Lunch from the Market Street Deli
LWVUS Liaison Alexis Juday-Marshall to talk to us about national League efforts to protect our democracy under current federal government conditions and outcomes of those efforts
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Afternoon Activities
Meetings of directors of communications, fundraising, etc.
Member-led Hike OR Tour of Vladem Contemporary Art Museum
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Banquet at La Fonda, New Mexico Room and Portal
Speaker: Leon Howard, Interim Executive Director, ACLU-NM
SUNDAY, April 27
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Registration at The Lodge at Santa Fe
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Second Plenary Session
12:00 p.m.
Convention Adjourns
12:15 p.m.
LWVNM Board Meeting begins 15 minutes after the convention is adjourned.
Boxed Lunch for board members from Firehouse Subs
FEATURED BANQUET SPEAKER
Leon Howard
Interim Executive Director
ACLU-NM
Leon Howard is the Interim Executive Director of New Mexico (ACLU-NM). After graduating from the University of New Mexico School of Law, Howard worked as Assistant District Attorney in the First Judicial District of New Mexico. After leaving that office, he worked as a staff attorney for ACLU-NM, concentrating on First and Fourth Amendment cases.
After two years Howard left for the private sector where he continued to focus on civil rights. In 2018, Leon returned to ACLU-NM as Legal Director, where he led the affiliate’s legal department and litigation efforts. As Deputy Director, he oversaw the organization’s legal, policy, and communications departments.
Howard is a board member of the New Mexico Innocence & Justice Project, past co-chair of the New Mexico State Bar Committee on Diversity (8 years), part-time faculty at the University of New Mexico, and Past Vice President of the New Mexico Black Lawyers Association. Super Lawyers Magazine named him a “Rising Star” in the area of civil rights from 2014 through 2017, and in 2015 he was recognized by Albuquerque Business First Magazine as one of New Mexico’s “40 Under 40.”
Biographical information credit: UNM
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
There are two planned activities on Saturday: a member-led hike (destination TBD) and a tour of the Vladim Contemporary.
The Vladem Contemporary focuses on the present, expanding the way the state brings art to the public. It is a satellite wing of the Museum of New Mexico, located in the historic Railyard District that opened in September of 2023.
Philanthropists Ellen and Bob Vladem donated $4 million in 2018 for naming rights, and initiated a fundraising campaign that brought in more than $16 million more. The Vladem is housed in a former warehouse constructed in 1936 by the Charles Ilfeld Company, thus its location by the railroad station. The visitor-friendly remodeled space boasts state-of-the-art climate control, which allows for an expansive exhibition of contemporary arts.
Founder Ellen Vladem will lead the tour.
Vladem Contemporary
The New Mexico landscape is world renowned, and in Santa Fe there are many gorgeous and accessible day hiking trails. The location of this hike has yet to be determined, but you can count on a great hiking experience wherever we take you! Keep checking this page for more details.
See AllTrails for a comprehensive guide to hiking trails around Santa Fe
In addition to the scheduled events above, other activities on your own can include area hikes, museums, and interactive art exhibits. Of course, there’s always one of Santa Fe’s 400+ restaurants if that’s to your taste.
There are many area hikes in La Tierra, Dale Ball trails, Hyde Memorial State Park and the Santa Fe National Forest.
There are many museums including the
- New Mexico Museum of Art,
- Georgia O’Keefe Museum (free for NM residents on Sundays),
- IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts,
- New Mexico History Museum (all downtown on or near the plaza),
- International Folk Art Museum,
- Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian,
- New Mexico Heritage Arts Museum and
- Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (all on Museum Hill).
- SITE Santa Fe and Art Vault (railyard area, contemporary, free admission).
- Meow Wolf is an interactive installation/immersive art experience on Rufina.
LWVSFC HISTORY
Ina Sizer Cassidy
Photo courtesy Palace of the Governors Photo Archive (NMHM/DCA) #37753
The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe was established in August 1920, at the time American women won the right to vote. Carrie Chapman Catt, suffragette and first president of the new national LWV, appointed Ina Sizer Cassidy to lead the new state League in New Mexico. Cassidy lived in Santa Fe and started the local branch of the League the same year to support the state and national organizations.
Cassidy had the right to vote in Colorado but lost it when she followed her husband, the painter Gerald Cassidy, to New Mexico, where women did not have that right. That experience motivated Cassidy to political activism. She became very active in Santa Fe even before national suffrage. Along with such well-known Santa Feans as Mary Austin and Witter Bynner, Cassidy marched in New York City in one of the largest women’s suffrage marches.
The Santa Fe League was one of the first important local leagues to emerge in the 1920s…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where Will We Be Staying?
The Lodge at Santa Fe is reserving a block of rooms for delegates. To reserve a room at a nightly rate of $149+tax/double room, call the hotel directly at 505-992-5800 and refer to the League of Women Voters. Reservations must be made by March 26, 2025.
How Do I Get to the Convention Venues?
A schedule of activities and information sheet will be sent to all attendees with all necessary information for getting to the various convention venues.
Are My Meals Included?
Saturday box lunch is included in the registration fee. Lunch guest box lunches are $15 each. Both the Friday Banquet and the Sunday box lunch for Board Members both require additional payment if you will be attending.
Are Saturday Afternoon Activities Free?
The planned hike has no charge, and you may invite guests if desired. The Vladem Contemporary Tour has a $7 fee per person, and a limit on the number of convention participants (first registered, first served) so no guests may attend.
Can I Register By Mail Instead Of Online?
Of course! Just download the 2025 State Conference Registration Form, fill it out, and mail it along with your payment by April 10 to:
LWVSFC
P.O. Box 31547
Santa Fe, NM 87594
NM STATE CONVENTION REGISTRATION
If you prefer to register by mail, please download the 2025 State Conference Registration Form, fill it out, and mail it along with your payment by April 10 to: LWVSFC, P.O. Box 31547, Santa Fe, NM 87594