Beth North - 2026
Presented by Elizabeth Bennion, Vice President and Director of Voter Services
It is an honor to present this year’s Maud Wood Park Award to someone who embodies the spirit of the League: our current president, Beth North.
Beth’s impact on the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area is profound. At a critical moment for our organization, Beth stepped forward to take on the presidency when others could not – or would not – do so. That decision alone would be enough to merit our gratitude—but Beth didn’t just step in. She stepped up, and she has never stopped.
Beth brings energy, optimism, and commitment to everything she does. She is a constant ambassador for the League—promoting our work everywhere she goes, in conversations big and small, in public spaces, in meetings, online, and in the media. Thanks to Beth, more people in our community know who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
What sets Beth apart is how she builds relationships. She welcomes people in. She makes them feel seen, valued, and encouraged to get involved. She is always thinking about who else could be part of this work—and then she reaches out, personally.
This is especially true when it comes to young people. Beth has gone out of her way to invite high school and college students into the League, to mentor them, to meet with them individually, and to help them see themselves as civic leaders. Because of her, the League is not just sustaining itself—it is growing and preparing for the future.
Beth also models what it means to engage across differences. She connects with people from all walks of life, across perspectives and experiences, with respect, curiosity, and a genuine belief in the importance of dialogue and participation.
Beth’s leadership has helped ensure that our League continues to thrive—and that democracy, in our community, truly lives in the light.
Beth, we are so grateful for your generosity, your leadership, and your heart. You remind us every day what it means to make democracy work.
Please join me in congratulating, and thanking, Beth North, this year’s Maud Wood Park Award recipient.