Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/65

CALIFORNIA 5! With the winning of this old, wealthy and influential State the entire movement for woman suffrage passed the crisis and vic- tory in the remaining western States was sure to be a matter of a comparatively short time. As soon as the result was certain Mrs. Watson, the State president; Mrs. Sperry and Miss Whitney, representing Northern, and Mr. and Mrs. Braly, Mrs. Ringrose and Mrs. French, Southern California, went to Louisville, Ky., to carry the report to the convention of the National Associa- tion, of which this State had forty-five life members, more than any other except New York. No State convention had been held in 1911 but one was called to meet in San Francisco in January, 1912, and it was decided to maintain the State association to assist the work in neighbor- ing States. Mrs. William Keith was made president and the officers and executive committee held all day monthly meetings in her home for several years. After the National League of Women Voters was formed in 1919, when Congress was about to submit the Federal Suffrage Amendment, a meeting was held on Feb. 12, 1920, and a California branch was formed with Mrs. Robert J. Burdette as chairman. The demand of the newly enfranchised women for guidance and knowledge was met at once by the College League, which reorganized in November, 1911, and became the California Civic League for social service, education for citizenship and the pro- motion of just legislation. The excellent work of Miss Charlotte Anita Whitney was recognized by continuing her as president of the new league from 1911 to 1914. It is composed of about twenty-five centers in the cities and towns of Northern California, with a membership of nearly 4,000 and many centers wield a strong influence in municipal affairs. The Women's Legislative Council of California was organized in December. KJIJ, the outgrowth of the Legislative Committee of the State Federation of Women's Clubs. This council, which n-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political, is in reality a Central Committee of State, county and some local organizations about sixty in all represent injj a membership of ovc-r IOO,OOO ten. Its purpose is to coordinate the efforts and concentrate