Political Commentary by Bettina Duval 
Democracy is a messy, inconvenient and elongated process that lumbers on with long periods of distant progress marked by the occasional monumental landmark.  If we are lucky we may be fortunate enough to see one or two of those momentous occasions in our lifetime.  Often we are so focused on the larger picture we fail to fully fathom the depth of small miracles.

Last week during one of my frequent trips to Sacramento I had the opportunity to meet with newly elected Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass.  Walking into her office it dawned on me just what an accomplishment Assemblywoman Bass has achieved and I became very emotional.  The realization that a woman was now a powerful leader in the California State assembly was a humbling experience for me.  Her story is the very essence of the mission CALIFORNIA LIST works to achieve – the goal of equal representation for women.  Persistence of vision turned into historic achievement.

CALIFORNIA LIST was an early supporter of Speaker Bass in her assembly campaign in the 2004 election cycle.  I suddenly realized with renewed vigor this is why I founded CALIFORNIA LIST and it has inspired me with the knowledge that we can make a difference in the legislature.  As I stroll through the halls of the Capitol I am truly thrilled to see the many faces of the women we have helped to elect.  These are the women who are working to make a difference for future generations.

I believe in electing women to government.  When I started the CALIFORNIA LIST in 2002 there were 20 Democratic women in our Assembly and 11 in our State Senate.  During the last two election cycles, we have lost two to three women electeds in each cycle.  We must reverse this slow decline, so that women can have a stronger voice in our legislative process.  Small miracles today will create those momentous triumphs of tomorrow. 

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