IT’S NOT ABOUT THIS ELECTION, IT’S ABOUT THE FUTURE

“…an historic moment for the women of this country…a moment for which we have waited over 200 years…to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal…Let us all stand together to move our country forward, seeking common ground for the common good. We have made history, now let us make progress for the American people…”

Nancy Pelosi speaking in the Canon Building to friends, supporters.
Photo taken by The CALIFORNIA LIST member, Nancy Stephens.

As I looked at all my friends in the Canon Room waiting to hear Nancy Pelosi speak before she was sworn in as the first female speaker, I was touched thinking of how long and diligently all of us have supported women. It was a moment that we all had worked so hard to see. Next to me was Nicole Mutchnick with her two daughters. Luckily we were standing next to the rope — when Speaker Pelosi walked by — she stopped and greeted Nicole’s daughters. I was reminded again, that it is not just about this moment, but the future.

“I pledge everyday to come in and work towards the best in all of us, to guide us, to realize the incredible dreams that our founding fathers had of self-governance and of being able to make our own decisions for ourselves, every day.”

The following Monday, in California, Debra Bowen made history on January 9th when she was sworn into office as the sixth woman ever elected to a California statewide office. She is currently the only woman to hold a statewide office.

While we celebrate Debra Bowen’s recent election to the Secretary of State, the dismal fact remains that only six women in California have ever been elected to a statewide executive office. During Debra Bowen’s swearing in ceremony, Delaine Eastin, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, noted that one-third of the women ever elected to statewide office were standing on the podium.

In California’s future, the number of women elected is in decline.

Although women had several victories in 2006, the daunting reality remains that we lost three Democratic women in this last election cycle. We also lost three Democratic women during the previous election cycle. In 2008, we will lose a further ten women legislators due to term limits—seven Democrats and three Republicans—including Senator Sheila Kuehl, who has been a leader in health care reform for many years. This is an alarming future trend to which we must put an end!

Why is electing women so important? Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, is quoted in Ms. Magazine as saying “I guess they’re called women’s issues because if women did not focus on them there really wouldn’t be any chance of getting something done.” Simply stated, women target the issues that are important to women.

The CALIFORNIA LIST is committed to electing women who fight for issues important to women and our state. We are currently identifying candidates for 2008, but so far we have identified only five female candidates for our State Senate and five women running for the Assembly. Considering that we could lose seven more Democratic women, there is a lot of work to be done!

On the bright side, my 17-year old son asked me if he could invite “some girls he knows” to our upcoming event celebrating Debra Bowen’s election. He says that when he tells “girls he meets” about what I do, they are really interested.

A mother in the fifth grade told me that her daughter Kate wants to run for President.

Let’s invite them all to or upcoming event including Nicole’s daughters – because it’s not about this election but the future. Together we can reverse the decline in the number of women in California and provide opportunities for the next generation!

PLEASE JOIN US!

If you are a member, you have already received our membership renewal mailing. Thank you for your early and continued support of The CALIFORNIA LIST. In only four years, together we have helped 18 women win their elections.

If you have not yet joined The CALIFORNIA LIST, we hope you will join us. We already have a jumpstart on our goals for 2007:

“There cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard. There cannot be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. There cannot be true democracy unless all citizens are able to participate fully in the lives of their country.”

UPCOMING EVENT
CALIFORNIA LIST’s
Celebration Honoring Debra Bowen
Thursday, February 22nd, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
At the Home of Max Palevsky and Jodie Evans
Beverly Hills.
Due to an overwhelming response this event is at capacity.
We will be planning another event in the area in the near future.