Today means so much to this country and to the world. I think the number one thing it means to me is that barriers are meant to be broken. There’s nothing that we can’t do, there’s no place where a person can’t strive to become whatever they want to be — no matter who they are. That’s the Barack Obama story, that’s the CALIFORNIA LIST story, that’s the story of this country and it’s going to be the story of the next 8 years in this country. So let us celebrate tonight! You know, someone was saying to me tonight, 100 years from now, 200, 300 years from now, this day will be remembered in history. And we were all part of it, January 20, 2009!”
California Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg

(Provided by Alex J. Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages)

L-R: 1) Susan DeLaurentis, member of CALIFORNIA LIST Founders Circle sorting T-shirts at our event. 2) Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, CALIFORNIA LIST Founder Bettina Duval and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. 3) Bettina and Speaker Bass

Hope. Change. Electing Women.
By Bettina Duval, Founder, CALIFORNIA LIST

Last Tuesday, I was fortunate to be among people of all colors and ages who waited for hours in frigid weather to watch President Barack Obama being sworn into office.  As I waited, I started talking with an African American reporter for NBC who spoke emotionally about how slaves were sold on the White House lawn — something my daughters and I had been discussing over the weekend.  Race, gender, religion, equality - it was a moment when we could all clearly look forward toward equality for all.

Today, President Barack Obama brought America one step closer to this goal by signing the Lilly Ledbetter Act into law supporting equal pay for equal work.  This will be a great step forward for the millions of women and minorities in our country who have worked just as hard as their counterparts, but are paid substantially less because of their gender or color of skin.

After witnessing one of the most important events in history last week, it is clear to me that there is still much work to do to advance equality in all areas of life.  I have chosen to work for  gender equality in government, and as the Founder of the CALIFORNIA LIST, I have dedicated the past seven years of my life to helping elect women. Unfortunately, electing women remains stagnant and here in California the number of elected women continues to dwindle each election cycle. After watching President Obama being sworn into office, one could not help but realize that anything is possible, and I am energized to continue building the pipeline of future leaders. So here’s the plan and how you can help:

GOAL 1: ELECT WOMEN TO CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT

True to our mission, we are committed to supporting women candidates who are running for California State government. The 2010 election includes candidates for all statewide offices including seats in the Senate, Assembly and Executive legislative positions. The CALIFORNIA LIST has begun to identify female Democratic candidates who have declared an intention to run in the 2010 cycle.  Those women candidates are featured with their pictures and bios on our website. If you would like to learn more about these candidates, please visit www.californialist.org/candidates.

GOAL 2: CONTINUE TO BUILD THE PIPELINE

In California, both of our federal Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, are women. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, is from California. Of California’s 53 representatives in the House, 19 are women. All of these women who are seated on the federal level served in state or local government previously.  It’s about the pipeline.  We need to identify and support more women willing and able to run for office on all levels.

When Congresswoman Hilda Solis is confirmed as Labor Secretary in President Obama’s cabinet, her congressional seat will become vacant. Former Assemblywoman and current Board of Equalization Vice Chair Judy Chu will be running for that seat.  This is what the pipeline to future female leaders is all about. Please join in supporting Judy Chu in her bid for Congress. She is running against State Senator Gilbert Cedillo who does not even live in the District.  Judy Chu is one of the most efficient legislators in California having served in that district for over 22 years. Please visit her website at www.judychu.net.

GOAL 3: BUILD OUR MEMBERSHIP

Host a Neighborhood House Party - Pink Collar Politics

In the spirit of activism, we would like to introduce Renee Brown Holt. Renee worked in the California State office for President Barack Obama calling voters across the country and traveled to Nevada to canvas for votes during the run-up to the election.  Renee has offered to help us organize community gatherings throughout California where we can come together and talk about what we call Pink Collar Politics:  The Status of Elected Women in California. It’s an opportunity to share ideas and meet some of the local elected officials and 2010 candidates.

Would you be willing to host a small get-together and help us begin to identify, support and elect Democratic women to state office? Please contact Renee at rbholt@californialist.org to receive more information on this exciting and fun opportunity.

It is vital to our primary mission that we continue to build California’s next generation of women leaders to fill our political pipeline.  House parties raise awareness of the declining numbers of women in state-elected office, while raising funds to help strong, viable Democratic women candidates win their elections.  During the house parties I will discuss the status of women in California, provide an overview of the upcoming 2010 election, and talk about the women around the state who are running in the next election cycle.  If you want to see my inauguration photos, I’ll bring them too!

Please renew your membership, or if you are not a member please join us!

In February, members are called to action!  An infusion of member support will help the CALIFORNIA LIST rebuild our resources and continue our important work, so please renew as soon as possible.  Renewal and new memberships can be done through our secure website online.

We have had tremendous success so far and within the past seven years grown into a well-respected political organization, but we need your help and contributions to continue this important work.

Membership in the CALIFORNIA LIST begins with an annual contribution of $100 or more.  The Leadership Council members donate $1,000 or more.  CALIFORNIA LIST members are also encouraged to make contributions of any amount to at least two or more recommended candidates annually. This is an annual commitment because the CALIFORNIA LIST supports women candidates during both primary and general elections.

It starts with hope, but in order for our hope for equality to become a reality, we must take action. By working together and moving forward, we will be successful in our goal: to elect Democratic women to California state government.

Please join or renew your membership to the CALIFORNIA LIST today!

After the inauguration, walking to Union Station to get warm, the helicopter with former President George Bush flew directly overhead.  Suddenly it was reality - a new era has begun.  Walking with people from across the United States the realization dawned on me that anything and everything is now possible, if we work together.

The CAIFORNIA LIST has already made the political dream possible for many women, helping elect 40 women to various offices in the past seven years.  We started as a group of 12 women having lunch and look what happened.  With your help and donations, imagine what else we can do. Please join us!

Thank you for your continued support.