Sally Bellarue joined the League of Women Voters in 1971
For more than fifty years, Sally Bellarue has embodied the very spirit of the League of Women Voters through her lifelong commitment to civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and community service. We recently sat down with Sally hear her perspectives on democracy, public service and the importance of community.
Sally shared that she was born and raised in Los Angeles and later moved with her husband to Laguna Beach while he worked in Orange County. Her civic involvement began when California residents became concerned about protecting the coastline. She joined efforts to gather signatures for what became the California Coastal Commission initiative, an experience that first connected her to the League of Women Voters.
She recalled how meaningful it was to work alongside people who cared deeply about their communities and public service. Later, she and her husband discovered Durango while visiting to ski. They were inspired by the community’s friendliness and by the work of adaptive sports programs for skiers with disabilities. Their involvement led them to become ski instructors and further strengthened their connection to Durango.
Sally emphasized that one of the reasons Durango felt like home was the presence of the League of Women Voters, which reflected the same civic spirit she had known in Laguna Beach.
Sally spoke about the importance of women gaining the right to vote and how different life was for earlier generations of women. She described voting as both a privilege and a responsibility, expressing surprise and concern that so many eligible Americans choose not to vote.
She encouraged younger generations to think about their future and the kind of leadership and community they want to create:
“If we don’t vote, we don’t have a way to push whatever we think is important.”
She also shared her enduring hope for the future, saying that she believes people will eventually recognize the importance of becoming involved again in civic life. She noted that organizations like the League are especially important during challenging times because they help people learn, engage, and work together toward positive change.
Sally reflected on growing up in a family where civic participation was simply expected. Her father and husband were both attorneys involved in public service, and she said that being engaged in government and community issues became part of who she is.
She concluded by expressing gratitude for communities like Durango and Laguna Beach, where people care deeply about participation, democracy, and one another.
The League of Women Voters of La Plata County proudly honor Sally Bellarue as a Lifetime Member and thank her for her efforts to make our community such a wonderful place to live!