You can’t be in the state League office for too long without hearing the name Evelyn Stock. Evelyn has been a dedicated League member since 1970. She served in leadership roles for her local League in Scarsdale, the Westchester County League, and also at the state League—serving as state League President for two terms from 1995 to 1999. Evelyn’s genuine interest in people makes her a natural leader and an excellent fundraiser. So, it makes sense that Evelyn has supported the LWVNYS Education Foundation every year for over 25 years and also included the state League in her will.

Evelyn says, “I believe in the League, not only what it does but how it creates and fosters leaders and friendships. I know its survival depends on having a strong financial position so it was only natural that I would include the League (and my Scarsdale and Westchester Leagues) amongst the organizations I hoped would continue to not only function but flourish. It is my way to influence the future.”

A “farm girl” from Massachusetts, Evelyn attended Tufts, earning a degree in history and government. She worked as an editor and teacher. In short, Evelyn was an ideal candidate for League membership. In 1970, after moving to Scarsdale with her husband and two-year-old daughter, Elisabeth, Evelyn met Toby Nussbaum while looking to start a play group. She recalls, “I ‘picked up’ Toby Nussbaum at a local shoe store. She would become one of my closest friends. She offered to babysit for Elisabeth so I could go to the League membership coffee. Who would pass up free babysitting?! So, I went and the rest is history.”

She says, “Joining the League and the Board was better than graduate school. I loved the studies and the way positions were reached. And oh, the friends I made and the mentoring and encouragement I received. It was an incredible fit—I had an abundance of energy and interests and the League channeled it and enabled me to grow.”

There are many League experiences that Evelyn enjoyed but, most of all, she loves the people. “League people are the best.” Her League affiliation opened many doors including membership on the Committee for Modern Courts. But the ultimate experience was meeting Judge Judith Kaye and being invited to be one of five leaders representing New York at the National Conference on Public Trust and Confidence in the Justice System in 1999.

It is safe to say that the League in New York State would not be what it is today without the steadfast support and dedication of Evelyn Stock. In recognition of her generosity, we hope to honor her vision for the future, “Most communities have a League where all ages and political views are welcome and include a social component that promotes friendships and the joy of working for a common purpose. League members study and take action on local questions and provide a training ground for community leaders. Students Inside Albany would continue and grow. The State League would provide training opportunities for all members and League positions would be sought after and have significant influence on Albany politics.”

Evelyn’s volunteer leadership, generosity, and positive outlook have already influenced the future. We can’t thank her enough for ensuring that the League is there for the “Evelyns” of the next generation.

Anne Burton’s story is, in some ways, the typical member story. She joined the League in Columbus, Ohio in 1968. She had small children and needed an “outlet.” She was attracted to the League by her desire to address inequalities in access to voting and voter registration, her interest in our non-partisan approach, and the way the League reaches consensus on issues.

As a member of the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, Anne works diligently on all League activities—coordinating volunteers for a voter registration table at the local Farmer’s Market, volunteering to help at local elections, and advocating for League positions with other volunteers in Albany. She says, “I like all of my League activities but, by far, my favorite is the lobbying that takes place every year when the State Legislature is in session.”

A single mom with three children, Anne worked as a medical technologist for much of her career. At that time, she was not thinking of philanthropy or her legacy. However, now that she is retired, she is getting her estate in order and making sure the family and charities she values will continue to receive support after she is gone.

After meeting with her attorney, Anne created a revocable living trust that will benefit not only her children and grandchildren but also the state League’s Education Foundation. Speaking to Anne about this decision, you can easily see her enthusiasm about making this gift. She says, “It was so easy to include the League in my trust—as easy as writing down, ‘The League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation.’” And quickly adds, “I hope this gift will inspire other members to include the state League in their estate plans.”

Anne also hopes her gift will help the League of the future attract new and diverse members and help create educational programs for busy young professionals. She wants the League to remain an active and vital “outlet” for everyone who wants to participate.

There were many things we knew about Natacha Dykman. For instance, we knew that she was a loyal League member for many, many years and president of the state League from 1976 to 1979. She was not afraid to speak her mind and her car sported a bumper sticker that read, “Question Authority.” What we did not know is that she included the both the state League and her local League, the LWV of the Rochester Metro Area, in her will.

We were contacted by her son, Timothy, this year. Timothy was the executor of his mother’s estate and called to let us know that he would be sending a bequest for us and for the Rochester League. Natacha was still supporting the League she so believed in even after she was gone.

According to Timothy, Natacha was born in Springfield, Illinois and was an artist her whole life. During World War II, she worked as a draftsman on the Manhattan Project where she met her husband, Milton Dykman.

The couple moved to Rochester, New York after the war and Natacha quickly got involved in that community. In addition to her League work, she was a member of the judicial nominating committee for the New York State Supreme Court and of the state’s medical quality assurance board. She also served as a trustee of the Rochester Institute of Technology. She remained an artist until her death and painted and made hand-pressed books.

Her commitment to the League during her life was tremendous and we know the legacy she left will ensure that the League is there for the next generation of members and New Yorkers.