The Tri-town League of Women Voters of Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester has expanded into a new organization, The League of Women Voters SouthCoast.

The organization includes Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Fairhaven, Acushnet, New Bedford, Freetown, Dartmouth, Wareham and Westport.

Its inaugural meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at the Wamsutta Club, 427 County St., New Bedford. 

Attorney Korinn Peterson will be the guest speaker. As the vice president for Clean Water Advocacy at the Buzzards Bay Coalition, her focus is the long-term sustainable use of Buzzards Bay by managing local and regional projects designed to reduce nitrogen pollution from wasterwater.

To register for the luncheon program, contact the league at lwvsouthcoast@gmail.com by May 10. For more information on the menu and prices, visit wamsuttaclub.org/functions-banquets-weddings. 

Although the group has been reconstructed, The League of Women Voters SouthCoast remains part of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the League of Women Voters of the United States. 

The group exists as a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue, according to league supporters. The organization works to empower voters and defend democracy, according to information provided by the organization.

“Our vision is of a more inclusive democracy where all Americans, regardless of gender, sex, race, ability, or party see themselves represented in our government,’’ the organization supporters wrote. “To build this vision and inspire confidence to participate, we bring an anti-racist, and social justice lens to issues. As an organization, LWVSC is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.’’

Supporters believe in “the power of women to create a more perfect democracy,’’ according to league information.