Current Board Members
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President
Judy is a retired journalist/writer/editor who moved to Whidbey Island from Seattle in late 2019. For most of her life, she has been passionate about encouraging and educating people to actively participate in their democracy. As a teenager in Eugene, Oregon, she regularly accompanied her mom (a long-time LWV member) doorbelling for various political candidates and civic causes. As a journalist, she was unable to be involved in political or civic activities for many years, but felt she contributed by informing people about the issues facing their communities. Besides the LWV, she enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening and international travel. In Seattle, she was an active volunteer with the Seattle Rep theater, and on Whidbey she has recently started volunteering with the Island Shakespeare Festival.
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Vice President
When I moved to Washington in 2020 there were three things I did to learn about my new home: pocketed a local library card, registered to vote, and joined the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island.
Immediately I knew the League was an organization after my own heart when I started work with the state affinity group studying the decline of local news and its impact on democracy in local communities.
My experience as a professional communicator, corporate manager and nonprofit board member is offered to the League in volunteer efforts that best serve the organization.
Prior to my retirement in 2017 and relocation to Washington, I lived and worked in Alaska and North Carolina for 40 years:
B.A Journalism, University of North Carolina (1974),
Corporate manager (advertising /public relations/ marketing) in
commercial banking, acute healthcare, and nonprofit development
(1986-2017),
News reporter / freelance writer / industry magazine editor (1973-82),
Nonprofit board positions (Junior Achievement of Alaska, Rotary
International, and League of Women Voters Whidbey Island).
In early 2023 I was appointed to the Whidbey League board. Later that same year I represented my local League at the Washington League convention and in 2024 at the National League convention where our local news study was adopted as a national League position.
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Past President
Carla joined the League of Women Voters of South Whidbey Island in 1998, after living in Indonesia for three years. She and her husband had owned recreational property on South Whidbey since the late 1970s, but after their Southeast Asia adventure, decided to become permanent residents of the island. Carla was actively involved with the South Whidbey chapter during its existence, serving as Children’s Justice Committee chair and eventually becoming co-president. However, career responsibilities in the field of child advocacy mounted, and eventually, she needed to take a hiatus from League work. She returned to the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island after retiring in 2015. Having been born and raised in Guatemala, where the concept of a democratic form of government often received little more than lip service during her growing-up years, Carla believes strongly in the unique, non-partisan efforts of the League of Women Voters to inform the voter and encourage active participation in government.
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Secretary
Joann Roomes is a retired Teacher Librarian, interested in music, gardening, reading, travel, and history. Her education has included post graduate studies for certification in information services (library science), and additional “lifelong learning” included field work in Washington history, geology, and natural sciences. Previous experiences include attendance as historical re-enactor at black powder/long-rifle encampments over several years.
Joann enjoys volunteering as a docent at the Jacob and Sarah Ebey House near Coupeville, at the Coupeville Branch of Sno-Isle Libraries, as a volunteer and guide at several events at the Ferry House at Ebey’s Landing near Coupeville, and church leader/RE teacher at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island. She is a member of the LWVWI Board, Historic Whidbey Board, and the Coupeville Library Board. She is gratified to be a member of the League, as active civic participation by women is so important to our democracy. -
Treasurer
Diana is following in her Mother's footsteps by being a member of the LWV...for her, it is a way to stay informed about national, state, and local events and concerns. There is much to learn and she finds that there is power in numbers. Diana is an avid birder and loves gardening and reading. She has 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren who also live on WI.
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Board Member
Karin joined LWV Whidby in 2016 when she realized that she was not participating enough in the civic sphere. She lends her graphic design skills to League projects and designed and manages the website. She lives in Langley with her husband and teenage daughter.
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Board Member
As a Washington native, Shantina moved to Whidbey Island after graduating from Sultan High in 1990. She and her husband have four grown children and 3 grandchildren also living locally. Raising her family on Whidbey has fostered a feeling of home and community that prompted Shantina to explore ways to engage locally. Knowing that citizen engagement in our democracy is foundational in working to solve the challenges we face as well as achieve the goals we aspire to as a community, state and nation prompted Shantina to explore The League of Women Voters. Shantina took interest in the League of Women Voters because of its mission as a bipartisan organization to inform and engage others in the governing of our communities and beyond.
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Board Member
Becky has lived in Oak Harbor since 1996 when she moved from Florida to accept a position with Sno-Isle Libraries. She worked with the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island for many years as a Sno-Isle partner on candidate forums, Great Decisions discussions, and other efforts in support of an informed citizenry. Civic education and advocacy remain important to Becky and upon retiring in 2019, she joined the LWVWI board. Becky enjoys other community groups as well including Whidbey Audubon Society, Quilters on the Rock, AAUW walking and book discussion groups, and she is on the planning committee for the Trudy Sundberg Lecture series through the Sno-Isle Foundation.
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Board Member
Merri grew up in Marysville, right here in the Pacific Northwest. She likes road trips and exploring back roads, knitting, reading, playing bridge, keeping up on current events, spending time with family, and lifelong learning. Merri worked for many years at the University of Washington School of Nursing, where she retired as a Department Administrator. She and her husband have lived in Oak Harbor since 2010. Her interest in voting rights and accurate voting information led her to the League of Women Voters. Merri has enjoyed serving on the Forum Committee and now on the Board.
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Past President
Karol moved to Whidbey Island the summer of 2015 and was encouraged by her long-time friend to attend a League meeting. She was immediately impressed with the knowledge and experience of the board members. As a retired teacher, she is passionate about getting young folks registered to vote and to engage in civic concerns. She currently does not sit on the board but is on many committees.
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Board Consultant
Barbara has been both a member, a local League Past President, and President of the LWV Washington from 2005-2009. She was the Mayor and council member of Woodside California in the ‘90’s, and currentlyis part of the Finance and Personnel Legislative Commission in Langley Wa. She lends her guidance still to projects and League proesses.
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Past President - Forever in our Hearts b.1955-d.2018
Joyce joined the League in the 90's, following the footsteps of her smart and much admired aunt in Omaha who believed women should be informed and active in the public forum. The League has provided for her context, information, means to participate and wonderful colleagues throughout the decades. It's a very valued part of Joyce's life.
Joyce passed away from cancer in 2018.
We carry on her legacy with the Joyce Peterson Memorial Scholarship.