ve and congressional districts was begun. Norfolk was
the place of the annual convention in 1916 when 111 leagues were
reported. This was a legislative year and all efforts were
concentrated on the Assembly.[191]

From January 29 to February 2, 1917, a very successful suffrage school
was conducted in Richmond under the auspices of the National
Association. Later when the services of this association were offered
to the Government for war work the league dedicated itself to State
and country and endeavored to carry out the plans of the National
Board. The president, Mrs. Valentine, was the first person in the
State, on request of the Governor, to speak in the recruiting campaign
and other members also took part in it. At the annual convention held
in Richmond in November a resolution not only again endorsing the
Federal Suffrage Amendment but pledging members to work for it was
unanimously adopted. Virginia sent the largest delegation in her
history to the national convention in Washington in December and it
was upon the advice of the returning delegates that emphasis was laid
upon enrollment of those who desired woman suffrage. Because of the
influenza epidemic no State convention was held in 1918.

The enrollment of 32,000 men and women was accomplished in 1919, Mrs.
Faith W. Morgan, a vice-president of the association, securing the
largest number of names and Miss Ellen Robinson being the first person
to fill her quota. The submission by Congress of the Federal Suffrage
Amendment in June of this year gave great impetus to the work. In
November the annual convention was held in Richmond, with
representatives from all parts of the State. At this time there were
175 suffrage centers. The members reaffirmed with enthusiasm their
determination to carry on the fight for ratification. An important
feature of the year had been the endorsement of the amendment by the
State Teachers' Association, the State Federation of Women's Clubs and
the Women's Benevolent Association of the Maccabees.[192]

On Sept. 9, 10, 1920, the State league met in convention in the hall
of the House of Delegates in the Capitol for the joint purpose of
celebrating the proclamation of the Federal Suffrage Amendment and
planning for the organization of a League of Women Voters. It was an
occasion never to be forgotten, with a welcome extended by Governor
Westmoreland Davis, speeches by Attorney General John R. Saunders,
State Superintendent of Public