Member Spotlight

Recollections from League Members:

Jennifer Howard: I am speechless. While I know that she lived such a full life- it still seems too soon. Especially since she was her usual vibrant self at our recent meeting. She was such a champion of the League. She will be missed!

Ingrid Reed: My relationship with Frieda became much more informal as a friend and I will definitely miss her and her passion for the League. I like to think in our own ways we were paying tribute to her and saying our good byes. I hope she might have gone in her WAVE outfit.

Chrystal Schivell: As annoyed as I usually was by Frieda, I feel that my League legs have just been pulled out from under me. Until I started crying, I hadn't realized that she, like Rita, was a support for my belief in what I do for League. And today was a trial - supporting the right of a candidate to have a place in a forum. It is a coincidence for me, too. And I thank Frieda for being the stalwart that she was, as much as she pushed me beyond my endurance.

Edith Neimark: Frieda was the glue of the chapter.

Grace Sinden: While many of us knew Frieda from her work for the League of Women Voters and were

inspired by her civic passion, I remember contacting Frieda a couple of years ago to ask for details on her mode of transit from her home. She told me that she just calls one of the car riding services on her smart phone and voila! They take her anywhere. She explained how this gave her great freedom to be at the LWVNJ annual meetings we were both attending even though she no longer drove a car. Her explanation was so joyful in reveling in this freedom “at a certain age.” Frieda's optimism and sense of “can do" was contagious and much needed in our world and League work. It helped her be more effective in that work and likely in her life in general.

Sandy Shapiro: Frieda had a long and interesting life. A tireless League booster, Frieda was responsible for enticing scores of area residents to become members. Frieda was also a dedicated member of the League in Arizona, where she spent many winters. Frieda was a force for good and will be missed. Her good deeds and enthusiasm live on. Condolences go out to her children and grandchildren, of whom she always spoke with immense love and respect.

Jeanne Turner: I met Frieda when I first joined the League at the annual dinner and was immediately impressed by her passion for and commitment to the League. I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to know her better, and send my condolences to all of you who are clearly feeling her loss deeply.

Mary Ann Moxon: Such a feisty woman!

On Chrystal Schivell's Indelible Contribution to the League

The former LWV of the Princeton Area honors our Voter Service Chair, Chrystal Schivell, for her outstanding service. For close to ten years, Chrystal has coordinated voter registration, candidate forums, voter service workshops, and Voters’ Guides. Given the many communities served by our League, the number of candidates for school board, local, county, and state elections is enormous, requiring a great deal of organization along with tact in dealing with disparate candidates as well as municipal and regional governments. Chrystal is our voice and manager for all.

Chrystal established a working rapport with our local newspapers, as well as with the local Princeton television station, Princeton Community TV, so that the printed Voters’ Guides and the videos of the candidate forums would be readily accessible to a wide audience. In 2016, Chrystal led the effort of the LWV of the Princeton Area to successfully implement VOTE411 for Voters’ Guides, with a high response rate from candidates. To raise awareness of VOTE411, she designed a poster and also a business card that was distributed to the public at voter registration and other events.

Tribute to Rita Ludlum

When Rita Ludlum passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2018, we lost a pillar of the League and a wonderful person. As Sandy Shapiro wrote, “We shall miss her quick wit, long memory, and kind heart.” Sandy Smith, too, said that Rita was an exceptionally kind person. “She called me after I joined our League and persuaded me to come to our next meeting and get involved. She mentored so many of our members and will be fondly remembered.” Jennifer Howard added, “Rita has enriched the lives of all those she interacted with—whether at a rally or a meeting.”Lee Forbes credits Rita as her inspiration for joining the League. “Rita worked relentlessly to organize a debate of the Montgomery candidates so that residents could hear a civil discussion of the issues before voting.”Ingrid Reed said, “I can't remember the League existing without Rita. She was always there, doing what needed to be done and in that special soft voice of reason and common sense.”Grace Sinden wrote, “I got to know her beyond her League work as a wise and kind person. Her steadfast loyalty and exceptional work for the League were a model for many members.”

Frieda Gilvarg “found her a source of knowledge and encouragement in my many years working beside her and believe she has played an essential role in preserving our League. No better tribute to her memory could be offered than to continue to keep doing what she has been doing so faithfully.”

Rita would have reciprocated—appreciating the contribution that each of us has made to the League. Her repeated “What would we do without Ellen Kemp?” was typical.

Rita never made clear exactly when she joined the League—"sometime in the '60s and they immediately asked me to take over a position" was her standard answer. Frieda believes she first joined another League before moving to Princeton. Rita was certainly active, already a pillar, when I joined in the early 70’s. Over the years she was involved in numerous studies (consolidation of the Princetons, finally accomplished), education, environment, immigration, and lots more. Rita was League president 1979-81.

Rita was probably best known around Princeton as “Mrs. Voter Service.” She was chair or co-chair of the Voter Service Committee for decades, retiring officially from that position in 2008 at the age of 84 but constantly mentoring me for the next three years. Together we set up collaborations with The Packet and Princeton Community TV. I, too terrified to manage alone in 2008, needed Rita’s calm, practical wisdom, and she willingly gave it. Whenever candidates became difficult, she laughingly reminded me of the time a candidate threatened to sue her—I would survive.

When we changed our organizational structure to that of a Committee of the Whole, Rita served as co-chair in 2008-2009 and as vice-president in 2009-2010, volunteering her apartment for our meetings.

Rita was a team player who led by example. She never told us what to do nor asked more of us than we were willing to do nor than she herself would be willing to do. But to keep the League going, she surely did more than her fair share—and without complaint. Yet when others began to lead, she was equally willing to step back and let them. She asked only to keep up with news of her beloved League via email.

For the past 45 years, Rita has played many roles in my life: mother, mentor, colleague, and friend. I treasure having known her, as do we all.

Chrystal Schivell

An obituary may be found on the Town Topics website.

“Standing Together” Rally to Celebrate Diversity