As the end of the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, I find myself anxious to leave behind an era that has been dubbed “The Big Zero.” From health care to reproductive rights to equal pay, women’s rights were under assault. We see the writing on the wall that girls, like my two daughters, born in this “Generation Zero” may be the hardest hit if this disheartening trend continues to erode the progress of women. I believe that we can change this paradigm, but we must all work together.

Across the nation advances in women electeds have virtually flat-lined. The number of congressional women remains a stagnant 20 percent. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, elected women in the United States is ranked 87th in the world, tied with Turkmenistan in that category behind Bolivia, Mauritius, and Greece.

In California, we rank sixteenth in the number of woman compared to other state legislators. Our State legislature has totaled a mere 33 female members for two consecutive election cycles.

Local governments having shrinking numbers of women including the Los Angeles City Council where the loss of Janice Hahn and Jan Perry to term limits may find a council in 2012 comprised solely of men. How can a city of almost four million people, 51 percent being women, effectively represent those citizens without a single female legislator? As we move into the New Year, we must begin again to reverse this downward motion and dream big in 2010.

Recently, I saw a woman jogging ahead of me wearing a T-shirt that read, “Run in feet, Dream in miles,” which seems to me so applicable to the work of the CALIFORNIA LIST - for both our organization and the candidates we work with. Eight years ago we founded the CALIFORNIA LIST. Our growth has been steady, consistent, and strong. Our dream of electing women to California State government has become a reality. Isn’t there so much to do?

This past year, after it became clear who the women candidates running for office were, we understood that our challenge is to find more women to run for office on all levels. In the 2010 Democratic primary, for every woman candidate for office there are at least 3-8 men running. We believe that it has become easier for women to run for office, but we need more women to run. More women candidates in every election will keep them competitive; especially in primaries. This election cycle we have already identified 31 pro-choice, Democratic women who are willing, ready and anxious to cross the finish line and win.

Please visit our website at www.californialist.org/candidates to read about all the candidates we have spotlighted for the 2010 election cycle. Donate online to any of the women candidates campaigns or you can give directly to CALIFORNIA LIST with a membership contribution.

Your contributions will help us to identify, train, and run qualified women candidates.

As I have traveled throughout California over the past eight years, there have been moments of highs and lows, just like a marathon. Sometimes when I was out pitching the importance of electing women, I needed to be reminded why I was out there in the first place. That reminder is you, our supporters, our partners and our legislators, always cheering us on as we continue to run the race in feet and hope that our dream comes true. Thank you! I look forward to continuing our journey together in 2010 and beyond.

UPCOMING PLANS

As we sprint into the New Year are immediate plans include hosting a several events in February and March designed to support both the mission of CALIFORNIA LIST and our 2010 candidates.

• Three Candidate Forums, in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles to introduce candidates to voters and donors.
• Email and snail mail solicits on behalf of CALIFORNIA LIST and our candidates.
• A series of one-day Candidate Training Sessions designed to identify and prepare future women candidates thinking of entering the election pipeline on any level.

UPCOMING ONE DAY TRAININGS

Salinas
Saturday, February 20; 8:30am to 5:00pm
The Steinbeck Center
One Main Street; Salinas
In partnership with Carmel Area Democratic Women’s Luncheon Club, Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County, Monterey County Democrats, and Salinas Valley Democratic Club

Baldwin Park
Saturday, February 27, 8:30am to 5:00pm
Baldwin Park Arts & Recreation Center
14403-B East Pacific Avenue; Baldwin Park

If you or anyone you know may be interested in attending an upcoming Candidate Training Session contact lsanow@californialist.org with your preferred attendance location. A registration form will be sent via email to anyone interested in attending either training session.

As you can see, 2010 finds CALIFORNIA LIST lacing up our running shoes to conquer the political hurdles ahead to elect more women in California. Please join or renew your membership today by clicking the link below — your support will help CALIFORNIA LIST and our candidates cross the finish line as winners.