As we launch ourselves, our work, and our intentions into 2020, it brings renewed focus, and drives us to support and nourish women as they blaze new paths in government and leadership.
Using the gauge of women in elected office, California has made great progress over the past ten years. Today, more women serve in the legislature than ever before, and for the first time we can point proudly to an elected female Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Eleni Kounalakis; LA City Council has its first Latina Council President, Nury Martinez; and California School Board Association is led by an executive committee made up of women of color. It’s clear— The future is female, and the future is now.
It’s only been three years since women across our country began speaking out en masse about workplace sexual harassment, specifically, the behavior and culture that necessitated
#metoo
and
#wesaidenough
. The impact of these movements continues to be far-reaching, and helps fuel the fire in our bellies to build a world where women are seen and heard.
The gains for women over the past decade reflect hard work by every member of California Women Lead, and indeed every California woman who’s committed herself to elevating women's status, whether as working professionals or caretakers at home.
As we kick off the year with our Annual Winter Reception, we are thrilled to honor 58 women Chiefs of Staff to members of California’s Assembly and Senate. These ladies are real warriors – getting ahead of issues, looking for opportunities, and heading problems off at the pass – all in service to their bosses’ agenda and the public good. I hope you can join us to meet and celebrate these inspirational leaders. See below for more information.
California Women Lead has ambitious plans for 2020, including holding appointments trainings statewide, growing our membership with an emphasis on women coming into the workplace, and bringing our annual conference to the Central Valley. To lead our efforts, we have hired Lindsey Nitta as our executive director. Lindsey shares our same drive and commitment to supporting and empowering women.
Are we really committing to all this? Yes. Can we do it? Yes. But not alone. California Women Lead looks to greatly expand our programs and outreach, but it will only happen with your enthusiasm, commitment and support. Thanks to you, we can have a huge impact and build an even stronger pool of women engaged in public service.
Thank you in advance for your work over the past decade, and the progress that’s yet to come.
In partnership,
Mona Pasquil Rogers
Board President
