On May 12, 2026, Chebacco essayist Cara Ryan spoke at Southwest Harbor Public Library taking us on a journey through the storied history and people of the League of Women Voters on Mount Desert Island.

Drawing on her 2026 Chebacco essay, “Keeping the Lights on for Democracy,” Cara Ryan traced the League’s evolution from its suffragist foundations to its mid-century "wobbly steps," through a very active 1960s-1990s, and to its dynamic reinvigoration in the 21st century. This talk offered a fascinating lens on local and national women’s history, highlighting the colorful characters who have remained steadfast in their non-partisan commitment to free and fair elections.