The League of Women Voters of Houston Announces Biennial Political Pioneers Luncheon Featuring CBS News Journalist and Author Norah O’Donnell

April 16, 2026

Award-Winning Journalist and Author of We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America Headlines LWVH’s Premier Civic Event on April 30 at Hilton Americas Houston

Houston, TX – March 21, 2026 – The League of Women Voters of Houston (LWVH) announces its 2026 Political Pioneers Luncheon, the organization’s most significant biennial fundraising and civic celebration event. Taking place on April 30, 2026 at 11:00AM at the Hilton Americas Houston, the luncheon will feature a keynote fireside chat with acclaimed CBS News journalist and author Norah O’Donnell – whose new book, We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America, arrives at a defining moment for women, voters, and democracy.

The theme of this year’s event could not be more resonant: the very history O’Donnel unearths in her book, of women who fought, sacrificed, and persevered to shape this nation, is the same history that gave birth to the League of Women Voters over a century ago, and the same history that propels LWVH’s mission forward every single day.

Reserve your seat today →

A Once-Every-Two-Years Event That Matters Now More Than Ever

The Political Pioneers Luncheon is LWVH’s signature gathering, convening Houston’s community leaders, civic change makers, elected officials, business leaders, and engaged residents to celebrate democracy in action. As the League’s largest fundraiser, every ticket and table directly powers voter education and outreach ahead of the critical 2026 midterm elections, a year in which the stakes for civic participation have never been higher.

“This luncheon celebrates what we’ve accomplished and offers a glimpse of what’s ahead. We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning journalist and author Norah O’Donnell as our keynote speaker. Her new book, We the Women, shines a light on the often-untold stories of women who shaped America across generations. We’re honored to bring her to Houston as LWV Houston continues to grow our impact and and strengthen nonpartisan civic engagement in our community,” said Katie Campbell Shumway, Executive Director

Norah O’Donnell: A Voice for History, Truth, and Democracy

Norah O'Donnell is one of America's most respected journalists — an award-winning senior correspondent and anchor at CBS News, known for two decades of fearless political reporting, landmark international coverage, and high-profile interviews at the highest levels of power.

Her new book, We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America, is a sweeping work of historical recovery. Weaving together the stories of 35 remarkable women whose contributions have been overlooked, minimized, or erased from mainstream history, O'Donnell makes the case that women have been at the center of every great moral and political struggle in American history — from the founding era through abolition, suffrage, civil rights, and beyond.

"A lot of women's stories have been lost to history because historians and others didn't think they were important enough to save," O'Donnell has said. "In uncovering these stories, I found myself inspired — because they were brave, courageous, gutsy, patriotic."2

Suffragists who asked why the Declaration of Independence's promise of equality didn't extend to women. Abolitionists who demanded the same. Native American advocates who held America accountable to its own founding ideals. These are the political pioneers O'Donnell honors — and they are the direct forebears of the League of Women Voters, founded in 1920 just six months before the 19th Amendment became law.

Signed copies of We the Women will be available for purchase at the event, and O'Donnell will be available for a book signing.

The League's Legacy: Born from the Same Struggle

The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt and other suffrage leaders at the final convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, a direct inheritance of more than 70 years of women's political organizing. For over a century, the League has translated that history of resistance and advocacy into nonpartisan voter education, empowerment, and civic engagement.

The League of Women Voters of Houston has carried that mission in Harris County for decades by registering voters, publishing nonpartisan voters guides, hosting candidate forums, and building the civic infrastructure that democracy depends on. In 2026, with voter turnout, voter rights, and the integrity of civic institutions in sharp focus, that work is as urgent as it has ever been.

O'Donnell's We the Women is not merely a history book — it is a mirror held up to the present moment. The same questions her subjects wrestled with: Who gets to participate in democracy? Whose voices are heard? Who is left out of the story?, are the questions LWVH answers through its work every day.

Event Details:

What: 2026 Political Pioneers Luncheon
When: April 30, 2026 - Doors open at 11:00 AM
Where: Hilton Americas Houston, 1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
Featured Guest: Norah O'Donnell, CBS News Journalist and Author of We the Women Format: Fireside Chat + Book Signing

Co-Chairs: Stephanie Tsuru & Kylee Tsuru Siaw | Ileana Treviño & Mari Treviño Glass

Honoree: Claudia Ortega Hogue

Ticket Information:

Tickets and tables are limited for this biennial event. Individual tickets are on sale now.
VIP Tickets include access to an exclusive pre-luncheon reception with light bites, beverages, and a private photo opportunity with Norah O'Donnell.
League members received exclusive member pricing in February 2026 (check your inbox).
All proceeds support LWVH's nonpartisan voter education and outreach programs ahead of the 2026 elections.

See our committed sponsors →

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

About the League of Women Voters of Houston

The League of Women Voters of Houston is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization committed to empowering voters and defending democracy. Since its founding, LWVH has worked to ensure every eligible Houstonian can participate fully in the democratic process through voter registration, voter education, nonpartisan voters guides, candidate forums, and community outreach. LWVH is a local affiliate of the League of Women Voters of Texas and the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Learn more at: lwvhouston.org/mission

2 Norah O’Donnel spotlights overlooked women who shaped U.S. History in ‘We the Women’ - PBS News Hour

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Proposed Naturalization Fee Increases (DHS Proposed Rule, 2026)

By Katie Campbell Shumway • August 21, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship from $760 to $1,330 — a 75 percent increase. The rule would also raise the cost of appealing a denial from $830 to $1,475, and it would eliminate both the fee waiver for low-income applicants and the reduced fee option, entirely. The rule is not final. It is open for public comment through midnight Eastern on August 24, 2026, and federal agencies are required to review and respond to the comments they receive. Anyone can submit one — individuals, organizations, and service providers alike. Submit your comment → (docket USCIS-2026-0265) Where LWVH Stands Citizenship is the gateway to voting, and no eligible future voter should be priced out of our democracy. The League of Women Voters of Houston opposes this proposed rule. This is a democracy issue, not an immigration debate. The rule affects lawful permanent residents who have already met every requirement for citizenship — years of residency, background checks, English and civics exams. Under the proposal, the only remaining barrier would be price. A family's ability to afford the fee, not their eligibility or their record or their commitment to this country, would decide whether they complete the final step. With fee waivers eliminated, an applicant living near the poverty line would have no option at all: not a longer timeline, not a smaller payment, not a hardship review. Voting rights begin with citizenship. No one can register to vote without becoming a citizen first. A policy that reduces access to naturalization directly reduces the number of eligible voters. That squarely implicates the League's mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. The impact falls hard on Houston. The impact would fall especially hard on our community. Harris County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation, and working families here who have saved for years toward the naturalization fee would face years more of saving. Every year of delay is an election cycle they cannot vote in, and those elections do not come back — a delay in naturalization is a permanent loss of participation, even for the family that eventually reaches the oath. And for applicants who qualify for a fee waiver today, eliminating it removes the only path that ever existed, with no assurance another will open. This is not a new position for the League. In 2023, the national League formally opposed a proposed increase to the citizenship application fee, telling USCIS that a voting rights organization cannot accept financial barriers between eligible people and full participation in our democracy. This proposal is roughly four times that increase, and it eliminates the fee waiver entirely, which the 2023 proposal did not. LWVH registers newly naturalized citizens to vote at ceremonies in Houston every month. Defending access to citizenship is a continuation of that same work. Access to citizenship is access to democracy. Eligibility, not income, should determine who becomes a citizen of the United States. What You Can Do Submit a public comment before August 24 This is the most important thing on this list, and it takes about three minutes. We've written a ready-to-use letter you can copy, Submit your comment → (docket USCIS-2026-0265) Share this with people who need to know Forward this alert to family, friends, and neighbors on the path to naturalization — and to the organizations that serve them. Many people affected by this rule will never hear about the comment period at all. Follow and amplify Follow LWVH for updates as the rule moves forward. Share our posts so this reaches people outside our own lists. [Facebook] · [Instagram] · [X] · [lwvhouston.org] Join us Our voter registration and civic education work continues year-round, including monthly registration at naturalization ceremonies. Volunteer with LWVH → Learn More The proposed rule (Federal Register, June 23, 2026) Summary and analysis from the National Partnership for New Americans https://www.lwv.org/immigration/lwvus-submits-comments-uscis-opposing-immigration-application-fee-increases Questions? Email Us The League of Women Voters of Houston is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. LWVH neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties. Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.