History
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, 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 of Women Voters of Hendersonville was formed with sixty-seven members on 13 September 1967, two years before Hendersonville was incorporated as a city. Concern with the county’s educational system, the need for additional schools, and the lack of representation on the County Commission (then known as the Quarterly Court) for Hendersonville residents were some of the factors prompting its formation.
One of the requirements of a new league is to study the local government and the community to identify issues requiring citizen action. Consequently, the League reached a consensus that the best form of government for Hendersonville was the Commission-city manager form, which was adopted by the fledgling city in 1969.
The League has long been an advocate for progressive planning for Hendersonville. In 1970 it supported long range planning for future land use and thoroughfares in the Hendersonville area. In 1972 the League expressed support for the Commission-city manager form of government, which was restated in 1973, 1979, and 1986.
In 1973 the League supported the town center concept. In 1976 the League studied the feasibility of a separate school system for the city, publishing a comprehensive report on the issue. In 1988 the issue was restudied, and a publication was once again prepared. The studies concluded that an independent school system in Hendersonville would add greatly to the tax burden of its citizens without increasing the quality of education. Both studies have been repeatedly requested by officials in Sumner and other counties.
In 1980 the League concluded that education in Sumner County would best be served by a board of education to be elected at large for four-year staggered terms and that the school superintendent should be appointed by the Board of Education. In 1980 the League supported the concept of a civic center. In 1998 it supported a merger between the city of Hendersonville and the Hendersonville Utility District. In 1998 the League supported an adequate facilities tax or fee, based on square footage on residential and industrial development in Sumner County to provide additional funding for adequate school facilities for an expanding population.
Over the years the League has supported many projects that eventually came to fruition such as parks and recreational development, a hospital, and the need for Indian Lake School. The League has always been a strong advocate for more and better schools.
While many of the League’s positions were later implemented, some were not. Despite LWV efforts to the contrary, the citizens voted to change the form of government to the mayor aldermanic form in 1986. Following a difficult period of adjustment, the city eventually settled into the new form of government. A sign ordinance for the city of Hendersonville has always been a League priority. The League supported, helped to develop, endorsed, and was instrumental in the passage of the 1974 sign ordinance, which banned portable signs, unlimited sign usage, and off-site advertising. In 1992 support for a lower sign height and a stricter ordinance was a League priority. In 2004 League members were heavily involved, along with the Chamber of Commerce, in the most recent sign ordinance enacted by the city in 2005. In recent years, the League has studied various growth issues and their impact on the city, held candidate forums, a Town Hall Meeting on the Budget and hosted the 2017 LWVTN Convention.
The League stands strong with over fifty-seven men and women, including a charter member, lifetime members, and even student members. Charter members were guests at the 2017 Annual meeting celebrating 50 years as a League.
Recent studies, programs, and action items have included Growth in Hendersonville, Immigration, Amending the Constitution, Money in Politics, Human Trafficking, Education Funding, Health Care, Open Government, Civility, Redistricting, Election Commission Updates, Health and Safety Services for Sumner County Students, Women’s Health and Reproductive Care, and Charter School/Education Issues. The Action Team and Observer Corps monitor and report on state, county, and local governmental meetings. The League continues to hold candidate forums and public meetings.
The Hendersonville League’s areas of focus in recent years
- Educating voters on local issues
- Increasing voter registration and participation within Sumner County
- Building stronger relationships with local and state officials
The League’s motto is “You CAN make a difference.” It can be seen by the activities that LWVH HAS made a difference. With great appreciation to those women who started the Hendersonville League and those men and women who carry on their work.
In 2023 a membership survey indicated that over 30% of our members did not live in Hendersonville. The League membership voted to change our name to reflect our membership expansion throughout the county. The change maintained the history of the past but looked to the future. The new name was officially adopted in 2024, and we became The League of Hendersonville/Sumner County. A new membership platform, ChapterSpot, was launched by LWV in 2025. We developed a website to increase our communication and media presence online. The League continues to focus on educating