For nearly 90 years, a group of local women have been instrumental in ensuring the average voter is informed about the issues of the day and the questions posed on the ballot of an upcoming election.
In the 88 years the Belmont chapter of the League of Women Voters has been in existence, nine women have each committed 50-plus years of service to the nonpartisan political organization. Those women — Anne Covino Goldenberg, Julie Perkins, Ethel Hamann, Maryann Scali, Julie Goetze, Patricia Hawkins, Catherine Buttenwieser, Jean Lyon, and Elizabeth Pew — were recognized Tuesday afternoon for their years of membership.
“I am completely amazed and blown away by the League of Women Voters and everything that everybody has done for so long, but certainly this life member designation of 50 years,” said Deb Lockett. “It’s not just the amount of time. Most of these women have held titles of president, of vice president, of second vice president, of secretary, of membership. None of these positions are particularly easy.”
The get-together at the Beech Street Center included a proclamation read by state Sen. William Brownsberger, as well as cake and flowers for each of the life members. The celebration followed a recognition Monday night from the Select Board.
“The town, not just this room, recognizes and thanks you for your service for all those years,” Lockett said.
Brownsberger echoed Lockett’s words of praise. From candidates’ nights and voter guides to creating reports on local issues and offering presentations at Town Meeting, the work the league does is “fundamental” to the functioning of local democracy.
“The women who are being honored are women who did that through the years,” he said.
President Maryann Scali, a member of 58 years, thanked Lockett and Diane Palmer for organizing the celebration.
“In all the committees I’ve been on, I love this one the best,” Scali said. “It taught me how to work on committees and that we can agree to disagree.”
Ethel Hamann followed in the footsteps of her mother, who was a league member in Chestnut Hill. Hamann joined the Belmont League 58 years ago, in part because of her interest in politics and education.
“It’s a great way to meet people, to get actively involved in the community,” she said. “As I look around, a lot of the people here I met when I first joined.”
With 68 years under her belt, Anne Covino Goldenberg is the longest-serving member in the chapter. Like many others, she was interested in good governance and women’s equality.
“If you’re going to vote, you need to be informed,” she said.
Sitting beside her, Patricia Hawkins, a member of 57 years, nodded in agreement.
“I’ve made friends in the league and stayed on as a member,” she said. “We need members so we can have influence.”
