While running his campaign, President Barack Obama promised that, if elected, his administration would champion the rights of women, especially in the area of equality. True to his pledge, he has already begun working on this vital issue, a mere 53 days into his Presidency. As the Founder of CALIFORNIA LIST, a group that fosters women’s rights in the political arena, I was particularly moved by President Obama’s signing of an Executive Order on March 11 establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls. Citing his mother, grandmother, and wife as personal examples, President Obama wants to make clear that areas like equal pay, family leave and child care are not just women’s issues, but that they are family and economic issues. Those of us who work tirelessly to advance this cause realize that we are still far from equality, especially in the workplace. During his announcement the President said, “The purpose of this Council is to ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy.” I say, it’s about time!

California is known for leading the way when it comes to governmental policy, and women’s issues have long been an important focus for the Golden State – especially when it comes to electing women. From Esto Broughton, who was a suffragette and one of the first women elected to our state legislature, to Nancy Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the House – California women often lead the charge for equality. In fact, many of our cities have already established resources for women and girls dating back to 1974, through the creation of Commissions on the Status of Women. Up and down the state, from San Diego to San Francisco, the commissions are dedicated to serving as a source and a networking channel on issues that impact women and girls throughout the state. In Los Angeles alone, the Association of California Commissions for Women supported the introduction 13 pieces of legislation on behalf of women in California in the 2007/2008 legislative session. And in most cases, those bills were drafted and sponsored by women legislators.

CALIFORNIA LIST understands that elected women are most likely to advocate issues that matter to women in our state – that’s why we know electing women is important. Many of our endorsed candidates who were elected to serve in the legislature are avid voices for equal pay for woman, elder care, and women’s health issues. Assemblywoman Julia Brownley stood firm against human trafficking with AB 2810; Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani fought against the exploitation of minors with AB 426 and former Senator Sheila Kuehl drafted SB1489 to establish workplace protections to domestic violence and sexual assault victims. CALIFORNIA LIST supported these women early in their campaigns because electing women matters!

We’ve come a long way, but there is still much to be done. Today, only 33 of our legislators in California are women and that number continues to drop each election cycle. In 2010, we will lose six women due to term limits – we must reverse this decline if we are truly to fulfill the promise of democracy for all people.

A serious focus from Washington on fairness and equality for women will help. Legislation is moving through the House of Representatives to create a Commission on Women and Girls. Please sign this letter to the California delegation urging them to support it.

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