September 2025

The Tony Award®-winning Suffs comes to TPAC this March! Written and composed by Shaina Taub, this acclaimed musical tells the powerful story of the American women who fought for the right to vote. Through passion, persistence, and sacrifice, Suffs shines a light on the leaders and unsung heroes of the suffrage movement in a struggle that still resonates today. Please click here to purchase your ticket. You can also use promo code: LWVSUFFS2026

Time: Friday| 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT

Join the Tennessee Women in Green (TWIG) for their October hybrid program, featuring guest speaker Carynton Howard, LWVN Board Member. Registration is only required for those planning to attend virtually.

In-Person Discussion on Metro Nashville Public Schools
Time: Friday| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Join the League of Women Voters of Nashville for our in-person October Hot Topic, a conversation with Metro School Board Chair Freda Player-Peters. This conversation will focus on Nashville Schools' most recent accomplishments and challenges, both locally and in the broader context of public education.

LWVTN- Immigration, How Can We Make It Better?
Time: Monday| 7:00 PM

Please join the League of Women Voters of Tennessee as they host guest speakers, Peter Skerry of Boston College and representatives from Allies of Knoxville's Immigrant Neighbors, on a timely discussion on the challenges of immigration policy in the United States.

School is officially back in session, and our community engagement efforts are in full swing as students and parents adapt to the new school year. In September, LWVN was busy making sure our community members were ready and registered to vote. Co-President, Kathy Anderson, participated in Hermitage's Homeschool Days by helping parents check their voter registration. Voter Services Chair, Sue Johnson, spoke with students and teachers about registering to vote. Communications and Community Engagement Manager, Kalen Russell, helped Belmont students register to vote. Environment Co-Chair, Simone Chhut, was also seen at Belmont, educating students on the importance of recycling and protecting our shared resources.

Please join the League of Women Voters of Nashville tomorrow for our in-person October Hot Topic, "A Conversation with Metro School Board Chair Freda Player-Peters." Chair Peters will focus on Nashville Schools' most recent accomplishments and challenges, both locally and in the broader context of public education. We will meet at the Metro School Board Conference Room located at 2601 Bransford Ave., Nashville.

This is a non-partisan event, and all are invited and welcome to attend. Let us know if you'll attend by completing the registration form below.

The Special Primary Election for Congressional District 7 is next Tuesday, October 7, 2025. 

Primary Election Dates to Remember

9/17 Early Voting Begins

9/27 Last day to request Absentee Ballot

10/2 Early Voting Ends

9/27 Last day to request an absentee ballot 

10/7 Election Day

General Election Dates to Remember

11/3 Last day to register to vote 

11/12 Early Voting Begins

11/22 Last day to request Absentee Ballot (realistically should be 11/15)

11/26 Early Voting Ends

12/2 Election Day

Election Updates:
Those who normally vote at the downtown library on Election Day will now vote at the Metro Office Building (Howard School) on President Ronald Reagan Way (2nd Ave).

On October 15 from 1 - 2 PM, the League of Women Voters of Williamson County will host Emily Jenkins, an attorney at the Tennessee Justice Center. The meeting will be held at the Main Branch of the Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia Ave.

The Tennessee Justice Center advocates for
Tennesseans facing issues of hunger, health,
independence, and legal issues; and works to create large-scale change for others facing the same challenges.

The Voter Services Committee has three upcoming volunteer opportunities:

Friday, October 3, 6:45 AM - 2:05 PM
McGavock High School, 3150 McGavock Pike, Nashville 37214

We will be working with students in US Government Classes to access and become familiar with their voting information available on the GoVoteTN website.

Saturday, October 4, 10 AM - 1 PM
NICE, 417 Welshwood Dr., Nashville, TN, 37211

We will be participating in the NICE’s Community Resource Fair, helping attendees register to vote and learn more about voting in Tennessee.

Friday, October 10, 10 AM - 12 PM
Tennessee Justice Center Resource Fair, 155 Lafayette St., 37210

We will be engaging in conversations with attendees at the TJC Resource Fair about the voting registration process. Please note, Vendor setup will start at 8:30 AM and must be completed by 9:30 AM.

If you can help out at any of the above events, please contact Sue Johnson by phone or email sadiejo@bellsouth.net or call/text at 615-337-6374.

On September 5, the League of Women Voters of Nashville hosted a Hot Topic on the Social Drivers of Health (SDOH)—the non-medical factors that shape well-being, from housing and transportation to access to nutritious food. Health, as defined by the WHO, is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being,” and quality care alone is not enough to achieve it.

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) advocates for health equity through legal representation, policy work, and data-driven insights on issues such as economic stability, maternal health, and food security.

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Primary Prevention tackles the root causes of premature death by fostering healthy environments and funding initiatives in housing, workforce development, and community design.

Together, these organizations address the social drivers that influence roughly 60% of health outcomes in the U.S., working to ensure all Tennesseans can live, learn, work, and thrive in healthy communities.

Applications Are Closed:
Applications are no longer being accepted for the Davidson County Administrator of Elections. Candidate interviews will take place on October 3. The current Administrator of Elections, Jeff Roberts, is set to retire at the end of the year.

Affordable Housing:
Enrollment for the 2025 Property Tax Relief and Freeze is now open. Visit: Nashville.gov/Trustee or call 615-862-6330 for more information.

Metro Nashville’s Planning Department recently introduced four pieces of legislation: 1005, 1006, 1007, and 1008 for consideration by the Metro Council. The bills are the result of the months-long Housing and Infrastructure Study work, conducted partially in response to a controversial earlier effort at zoning reform. The study found that Nashville is expected to produce 20,000 housing units fewer than needed to keep up with demand over the next decade. 

The bills are part of an effort to close the gap between supply and demand. All bills passed on first reading during the September 2 Metro Council Meeting, but will be debated further at both the Metro Council and the Metro Planning Commission meetings in the coming months.

Education:
RS2025-1100 A resolution requesting that Mayor Freddie O’Connell create an advisory working group to explore and determine a coordinating model that supports a long-term, sustainable Youth Policy and Strategic Plan and analysis of data that extends beyond mayoral administrations.

LWVN’s Education Committee wants to hear from you! What education policies are most important to you this school year? Your input will help inform our efforts and updates. If you have not, please complete the survey by clicking the link below.

Membership in the League of Women Voters, one of the most respected and effective grassroots organizations in the country, is open to all individuals age 16 or older.

Being a member of LWV is an excellent way to continue your dedication to empowering voters and defending democracy. Make the pledge to renew your membership today!

Mayor’s Metro Environmental Dashboard

In order to measure Nashville’s sustainability and environmental efforts, Metro Nashville created the Mayor’s Metro Environmental Dashboard, which highlights current activities, priorities, and goals around sustainability and resilience. The dashboard measures progress, increases transparency and accountability, and builds an understanding of where Nashville stands today and where it needs to go. 

The dashboard covers metrics and environmental information on the following sections: parks, tree canopy, Metro Nashville Public Schools, WeGo, water, wastewater, Department of General Services, solid waste management, bikeways, and sidewalks. 

By keeping the data up to date, the dashboard will help all of us see Nashville’s environmental progress and opportunities to act.

Co-Presidents: Ophelia Doe and Kathryn Anderson

1st Vice Presidents: Karen Hernan and Ethel Detch

Secretary: Ethel Detch

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin & Leona Edwards

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and MaKenzie Mosby

Environment: Kelley Knott-Sandifer, Simone Chhut, Carynton Howard, and Catherine Price

Health Care/Public Health:  Harper-Grace Niedermeyer and Ashudee Kirk 

Membership: Reba Holmes, Dani Sheree Ross, and Dylan Schlesinger

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley and Brenda Haywood

Voter Services: Sue Johnson

Williamson County Representative:  June Bond

Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NASHVILLE
Box 158369, Nashville, Tennessee 37215

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