The Amherst LWV, with its mission to promote policy positions and advocacy on significant local issues, established a Racial Justice Task Force in June 2020; it is now a permanent League Committee. The broad goals of the Racial Justice Committee (RJC) are to increase the League’s informed and active participation with Amherst Town government and the community at large, in order to advance racial justice, equity, and well-being, and to collaborate with individuals, groups, and organizations to achieve a just and equitable community.

Visit to Ruggles Center, Florence

We have reserved Saturday morning, June 21st, for a special LWV visit to the Ruggles Center in Florence. We will learn about the utopian community, nascent silk industry, and anti-slavery history of Florence, followed by a walking tour for those interested.

David Ruggles (1810-1849) was an active Black abolitionist. He established the country's first Black-owned bookstore in NYC, and was a conductor on the Underground Railroad and a mentor to both Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth.