OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
League of Women Voters of Fredericksburg
Democracy in Action | Community Building | Your Voice Needed
A Message from President Theodore Blackwell
Dear LWVFRA Members,
What an extraordinary month September was for our League! From hosting candidate forums that drew hundreds of community members to registering dozens of new voters across our region, we demonstrated the power of grassroots civic engagement. I want to deeply thank every member who volunteered, set up chairs, registered voters, and showed up to make these events successful. Your work doesn’t just serve our small community—it strengthens the foundation of democracy itself.
But we stand at a critical crossroads.
We are experiencing a dramatic shift in our political landscape with new challenges and barriers to democratic participation at every level. While many people are understandably disengaging from the exhausting barrage of disinformation and divisiveness, we in the League must lean in harder than ever.
As your new president, I believe our duty is to refocus politics back to the local and personal level where it belongs. Real change starts with our community of individuals and builds upward. But we cannot do this as just an organization that activates before elections—we must become a true COMMUNITY.
I envision a League where people come for ongoing conversations about their community, where we engage peers on real issues year-round, and where our message reaches far beyond our membership. We are not just a political organization—we are a community united by the common goal of strengthening our society through active civic engagement.
This transformation requires ALL of us. We need actively engaged members, leaders willing to guide, educators dedicated to community outreach, and voices committed to spreading our message. We need engagement, dedication, and community.
I cannot do this alone, and neither can our current leadership team. We need YOU to step up. Please take a few minutes to complete the Member Engagement Survey in this newsletter—it will help us match your interests and skills with meaningful opportunities to shape our League’s future.
Together, we can build something transformational. Our democracy depends on it.
With determination and hope,
Theodore Blackwell
President, LWVFRA
🚨 Critical Action Items
🗳️ ELECTION DAY: November 4th
Your Voting Checklist:
- Register to vote (if not already registered)
- Make your voting plan – know your polling location and hours
- Research your ballot at vote411.org
- Spread the word – encourage family, friends, and neighbors to register and vote
Remember: Voting is just the beginning of civic engagement. Stay involved year-round to make lasting change in your community.
📋 URGENT: Help Us Plan Your League’s Future
Member Engagement & Leadership Survey
Your voice matters in shaping LWVFRA’s transformation. This survey helps us match opportunities with your interests, skills, and availability.
COMPLETE SURVEY NOWWhy this matters: We’re planning expanded programming, new leadership opportunities, and deeper community engagement. Your input ensures we create meaningful ways for you to contribute based on your interests and availability.
No commitments required—just honest feedback about how you’d like to be involved.
📅 October Monthly Meeting
Monday, October 14th at 6:00 PM
Platform: Microsoft Teams (with phone option now available!)
Join Options:
Meeting ID: 224 641 399 849 7
Passcode: o97EG7tr
📞 NEW: Join by Phone
Dial: +1 929-352-1921
Conference ID: 864 683 957#
💡 For the Best Experience:
Download the free Teams app on your computer or phone: Download Teams App
No login or payment required—the app just provides a smoother meeting experience.
Important: We will be voting on a new Vice President at this meeting (see leadership transition section below). Agenda and reminder to come before meeting date.
🏛️ Leadership Transition & Opportunities
Vice President Position Open
Following Cathie Fisher Braman’s resignation as Vice President on September 22nd, we have an immediate opening for this critical leadership role. The board will present a nominee for membership vote at our October meeting.
Interested in serving as Vice President? Contact President Theodore Blackwell immediately at president@fredericksburglwv.org to be considered.
Honoring Cathie Fisher Braman
We extend our deepest gratitude to Cathie Fisher Braman for her decade of dedicated service to LWVFRA. As a founding member since our establishment in 2016, Cathie has been instrumental in building our League into the impactful organization we are today. Her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to voter education and civic engagement have shaped our community. Thank you, Cathie, for your extraordinary service to democracy.
🎉 September Accomplishments – Democracy in Action
September showcased the incredible power of our League in action. Thank you to every volunteer who made these events possible!
🏛️ Fredericksburg City Council Candidates Forum
September 11th | Partnership with NAACP Fredericksburg Branch
All nine candidates from four wards participated in this comprehensive forum, giving voters critical information for the upcoming election.
📺 Watch the recording: LWVFRA YouTube Channel
🤝 Stafford County Candidates Forums
September 12th-13th | Co-sponsored with NAACP Stafford Branch
Comprehensive coverage of School Board, Board of Supervisors, and House of Delegates candidates across all of Stafford.
📺 Watch the recordings: LWVFRA YouTube Channel
🎓 High School Voter Registration Drives
Throughout September | Multiple high schools across our region
Our dedicated volunteers and Director of Voter Services Robert Choplin registered dozens of new voters, empowering the next generation of civic participants.
🏫 University of Mary Washington Voter Drive
Partnership with UMW Votes
Engaging our younger community members and registering college students for their first voting experience.
🤝 Fredericksburg Candidate Meet & Greet
Over 20 candidates from 5 different elected offices participated in this informal community gathering, allowing voters to engage directly with potential representatives.
🗳️ 65th House of Delegates District Forum
Co-sponsored event at UMW campus
Professional candidate forum providing crucial information for this competitive district race.
📺 Watch the recording: UMW 65th District Debate
📅 Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
📚 High School Voter Registration
Ongoing Opportunities
Continue helping register eligible high school students across our region.
🌙 Stafford County National Night Out
Monday, October 7th | 5:00-8:00 PM
Stafford Market Place
LWVFRA will have an exhibitor table to engage with community members and promote voter education.
🏛️ Germanna Community College History Day
Sunday, October 13th | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Community History Day Event
Join us as exhibitors to connect with community college students and families.
Check these links regularly – we update them with new opportunities as they become available. More events and volunteer opportunities will be announced soon!
“Democracy is not a spectator sport – and we need you in the game.”
League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. Building Community.
Questions? Contact President Theodore Blackwell at president@fredericksburglwv.org
