Help NWPC-AN support our endorsed
candidates
in the June 6, 2006
election!
NWPC-AN Women's Voter
Guide:
Barbara Lee- Congress, 9th District
Loni
Hancock- Assembly, 14th District
Ronnie Caplane- Assembly, 16th
District
Mary Hayashi- Assembly, 18th District
Alice
Lai-Bitker- County Supervisor, District 3
Nancy Nadel- Oakland
Mayor
Courtney Ruby- Oakland Auditor
Pat Kernighan-
Oakland City Council, Dist. 2
Jean Quan- Oakland City Council,
Dist. 4
Desley Brooks- Oakland City Council, Dist.
6
__________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By: Karen Friedman, President
NWPC-AN
As you know, there is a widespread belief that
many politicians are no longer interested in the average citizen because
she cannot compete with lobbyists, well-funded political action committees
and contractors who have historically showered candidates with lots of
cash to run their campaigns. This has resulted in an unprecedented level
of disinterest on the part of voters, who have stayed home rather than
vote for candidates whom they do not trust.
In light of this
disinterest, or should I say disdain, I read with concern in the Oakland
Tribune how several California politicians have already filed statements
of candidacy to seek statewide offices in 2010, so that their campaign
committees can raise large amounts of money years in advance of actually
running for these positions. (And who is to say they will actually run for
the Board of Equalization, for example?) One might even call these “slush
funds”. Moreover, legislative candidates can accept up to $3,300 from
individuals and $6,700 from small contributor committees, while statewide
candidates can accept up to $5,600 and $11,100, respectively.
Does this unduly effect women? Definitely! These campaign
committees have a practice of outright donating money to other candidates
and causes, in addition to making loans. The effect of this practice is
to enable the donor to consolidate his power and influence on the State.
Women, traditionally considered to be outsiders in the political process,
have difficulty raising equal sums and competing with the exceptional flow
of money to men candidates.
We as a caucus have endeavored to
counterbalance the influx of cash by actively participating in the
campaigns of our endorsed candidates. This election cycle we endorsed
nine highly qualified women running for local office, and each had an
executive board member liaison who coordinated our efforts on her behalf.
We mailed more than twenty thousand slate cards featuring our endorsed
candidates, walked precincts, phone banked, and served on campaign
committees. We contributed a total of several thousand dollars, proceeds
from our Susan B. fundraiser last April. And, finally, on June 6th many
of us will be involved in Get Out the Vote activities.
In some
of the races there will be run-offs in November, and hopefully our women
candidates will be in them. Additionally, Berkeley, Alameda and
Emeryville will have women running for city council, school board and
other positions. There will be lots of work to do between now and
November, and I hope the NWPC membership will participate. Raising money
will be one of our priorities this summer, and to that end please attend
our annual Tea in July.
Somebody once told me that an effective
organization requires the three w’s: wisdom, work and wealth. In the
membership and on the executive board we certainly have lots of wisdom and
hard workers. With your support of the July fundraiser Tea, we will be
able to enhance our “wealth.” See you then!
Warmest
regards,
Karen
Friedman
President
__________________________________________
Save the Date!
NWPC-CA: State Board Meeting
June
24-25 , 2006
Washington Inn
495 10th Street
Oakland,
CA 94607
Please save the evening of June 24 for a
post-election reception honoring our local women electeds and candidates!
Visit the NWPC-CA website at www.nwpcca.org for more
info.
__________________________________________
Save the Date!
NWPC-AN Annual Tea
At the home
of Anna Rabkin
Sunday, July 30, 2006, 3-5 PM
Join
us and bring a friend to support 50/50 by 2020!
__________________________________________
Save the
Date!
NWPC National Board Meeting
August 25-27 ,
2006
Oakland, CA 94607
Please save the evening of
August 26 for a very special event marking Women's Equality Day! Visit
the NWPC National website at www.nwpc.org for more
info.
__________________________________________
BOARDS
& COMMISSIONS
SAVE THE DATES for an upcoming boards
& commissions training sponsored by:
*Alameda County Central
Labor Council, AFL-CIO
*East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable
Economy
*Laney College Labor Studies
This course,
offered for credit through Laney College, will give participants the tools
they need to learn how government decisions are made, the roles played by
different agencies in that process, and how they can really become
involved in their communities. Course dates are:
Monday,
June 26, 5:30-8:30pm
Our potential, policy
potential
Wednesday, July 5, 5:30-8:30pm
Putting Power
together
Monday, July 17, 5:30-8:30pm
Practical skills:
budgets, revenue
Monday, July 24, 5:30-8:30pm
Legal
issues: rights, procedures
Monday, July 31,
5:30-8:30pm
Graduation!
This course will be a great
opportunity to learn more, share knowledge with union members & community
partners, and hear from a distinguished panel of elected officials,
lawyers, community advocates and others about how boards & commissions
impact local and regional policy, and how you can be part of
one!
*Register in person at Laney College
*Register online
at www.peralta.cc.ca.us
New students should apply to the
college first, then enroll in classes. The class code is L3434; it is 2
units. Cost is $78; some scholarships may be available.
High
school students and young adults welcome!
For help enrolling,
contact Karen Hart, Laney Labor Studies Coordinator, at khart@peralta.edu
or 510-464-3210.
To suggest a speaker, contact Sharon Cornu at
the Labor Council at 510-632-4242 ext.
223.
__________________________________________
Clinic Escorting
By Jerrie Meadows
NWPC-AN is again taking responsibility for helping to escort at the
Family Planning Specialists clinic at 200 Webster St. in Oakland, where
protesters are harassing women coming to the clinic for reproductive
health care. At present escorts are needed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Training will be provided if you have not
escorted before. Please contact Jerrie Meadows if you would like to
assist in this very important project, which deals with one of our bottom
line issues. Jerrie's phone number is 848-2095, e-mail
jmherschel@aol.com.
Read Nara's article to see how one of our
younger members feels about her first escort experience.
A
Clinic Escort Virgin No Longer
By Nara Dahlbacka
I was
excited going to bed the night before my first clinic escort. I would b a
champion of freedom and justice. A defender of the American way, fighting
the god fight, and all that bunk… At 7:30 Friday morning I grabbed a
muscle tank screened with the logo from the martial arts studio where I
used to teach in Santa Barbara. The beater would remind me to be tough,
to take whatever those so-called Christian’s tried to throw at the
patients and their partners, family and friends going into the clinic.
That undershirt became the psychological shield that carried me through
the morning at 200 Webster. Barbara Hoke (the clinic escort group leader)
uses her camera and her wicked sense of humor. The piece of advice I’d
give to every future first time escort is to figure out what your shield
will be, and arrive with it up and armed. The anti’s don’t care if it’s
your first time. They won’t be gentle. They won’t be kind. They will
not respect your space, your work, your person. You will have to be the
one to turn the other cheek. There is no sympathy for the devil, that’s
what I imagine they’d say. We were “partnered with death”. I guess, at
least, in the end our partner will always have the upper hand. We were
accused (repeatedly) of being mercenaries in genocide against the black
race, a mass conspiracy.
After the three of us had successfully
created a human bubble around a young woman going in, the female-anti
shoved past me, “Get out of my way!” It was that tank top that kept me
from shoving back, and little (if anything) else. Taekwondo (which is the
Korean art I taught until about 6 months ago) has four major tenets:
courtesy, integrity, self-control, and an indomitable spirit. It took all
four that morning. I would recommend doing the clinic walk to any person
who considers themselves pro-choice. Put your body where your morals are.
The other side certainly
is.
__________________________________________
Seven NWPC Women Run for County Central Committee
By Karen
Weintein and Elizabeth Echols
NWPC-AN’s women are on the
move. Seven of our members, including two board members, are running for
the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. Each Assembly District
will have the opportunity to elect six committee members on the Deomcratic
primary ballot on June 6th.
In the 14th Assembly
District, which includes Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville and parts of
North Oakland, Elizabeth Echols and Karen Weinstein are
running:
Karen Weinstein has fought passionately for
progressive causes for years. As co-chair of the United Democratic
Campaign in Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville, Karen worked hard to create a
coalition of women, labor and progressives to soundly defeat prop 73. This
model was emulated on the State level. She is also an activist in the
Women's Caucus of the California Democratic Party.
Elizabeth Echols, an NWPC-AN Executive Board Member,
has been active in democratic politics for the last 20 years. The
Berkeley native served as a senior political appointee in the Clinton
White House. More recently, she worked to defeat prop 73 in last fall’s
Special Election. In 2004, Elizabeth was the California State Co-Chair of
Women for Kerry-Edwards. In her day job, she currently serves as Director
of Policy at Google.
Elizabeth and Karen are running as part
of a slate that also includes Beverly Greene, Maggie Gee, Carl Jaramillo
and Royce Kelley. Their slate has been endorsed by Congresswoman
Barbara Lee, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, State
Senator Don Perata, the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, and a
number of local democratic clubs.
In the 16th Assembly
District, which covers most of Oakland, Piedmont, Emeryville and
Alameda, Melanie Sweeney-Griffith, Sarah Andropoulos, Deanna Berzins,
Kathy Neal and Judy Belcher are running.
Melanie
Sweeney-Griffith, incumbent, has represented 16th AD for the past 6
terms. She is the immediate past Chair, has served as delegate to the
National Democratic convention. She currently serves as Political Action
Chair, and has been actively involved in multiple campaigns and elections.
Sarah Andropoulos is currently a district staff member
to Congresswoman Barbara Lee in Oakland, where her focus is primarily on
environment & energy issues. She currently serves as an Associate Member
of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, and is also a Member
of the NWPC-AN Executive Board. In addition, she is an active member of
the East Bay Young Democrats, and a volunteer with Team Barbara Lee. She
graduated from UC Berkeley in 2004.
Deanna Berzins, a
16th AD Central Committee alternate and NWPC member, is a longtime East
Bay Democratic activist and fundraiser. Having served as the Alameda
County liaison on national efforts with the Clinton-Gore campaign and the
DNC, and also having worked with the state party and as member of various
local Democratic clubs, Deanna brings a valuable depth and breadth of
experience to her work with the ACDCC. Professionally she is a financial
counselor that focuses on working with families, and plans to bring this
expertise to bear on her work as an elected delegate, focusing on
children, families, smart growth, rights for our seniors and other
important issues in the 16th AD.
Kathy Neal, a 16th AD
Central Committee alternate for the past two years and NWPC member, has
over 30 years of Democratic Party involvement including multiple terms as
a State convention delegate. She has served on 3 statewide governing and
regulatory boards and been actively involved in fundraising and
campaigning for federal, state and local candidates, including Senator
Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Southern California's Maxine
Waters in her first run for office.
Melanie, Sarah, Deanna and
Kathy are running as part of a slate that also includes Bobbie Williams
and Howard Egerman. Their slate has been endorsed by Congresswoman
Barbara Lee, Congressman Pete Stark, Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, State
Senator Don Perata, the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, and a
number of local democratic clubs.
Judy Belcher
says, "As a community activist and life long democrat, I strive to promote
democratic values. Presently, I work on a committee to bring Instant Run
Off Voting to Oakland for all its elections.” Judy was President of MGO
Democratic Club and elected to the 14th AD Central Committee before she
moved. Her endorsements include: The Wellstone Democratic Renewal
Club, the Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club, Oakland
Councilwoman Nancy Nadel and OUSD Board member Dan Seigel.
__________________________________________
Susan B. 2006 a Success!
By Pam Belchamber
On
Sunday, April 9th, the NWPC-AN 2006 Susan B. Anthony Celebration was a
rousing success, raising $21,202 for the organization's primary goal of
endorsing, working for, and providing financial support to progressive
women running for office in Alameda County. The NWPC supports women who
stand firm for unrestricted reproductive choice and other bottom line
progressive issues. This year the organization honored the California
Nurses Association for their unstoppable and successful efforts to defeat
the current Governor's ballot measures, which attacked nurses, teachers,
and other service workers, most of whom are women. President Karen
Friedman welcomed more than 125 persons to the annual fundraising
celebration at the Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club.
Under
beautiful chandeliers twinkling with hundreds of candles and by a warm
fire, a long list of local elected officials and candidates enjoyed hors
d' oeuvres and wine and mingled with the NWPC-AN members and guests. Pam
Belchamber, Chair of the 2006 celebration, announced that proceeds from
sponsors, donors, and attendees reached $18,000 and will provide financial
support of about $12,000 to endorsed NWPC-AN candidates after expenses for
the event are paid. In addition, a spectacular auction raised over $5,000
from items donated by members from vacation homes to fine wine. Auction
coordinator Corinne Lamata announced that these funds are used to support
the operational expenses of the organization. Pictures of the 2006 event
are available at www.nwpcan.org.
__________________________________________
NWPC
National Updates
NWPC's National Board met for its
quarterly meeting in Washington DC April 29-30. Friday the 28th was a
long and productive Political Planning and Action Committee meeting,
chaired by National VP Sharon Ball. Interns from the National Office
assisted with the huge volume of copying and prepared a PowerPoint
presentation on the more than 36 candidates under consideration. Only a
few applications for endorsement were set aside for further research; more
than 30 Democrat and Republican pro-choice women were endorsed for
Congress and Senate. Please check the National Website (www.nwpc.org) for
a complete listing of these incumbents and challengers. This single
meeting more than doubled the total number of national endorsements made
by NWPC -- and it was heartening to see all of these women recognizing how
important our endorsement would be to their success.
The
Summer National Board meeting will be held in Oakland August 25-27.
Officers come from around the United States and many will be extending
their stay to enjoy some vacation time in the Bay Area. Please SAVE THE
DATE of Saturday evening, August 26th, for a very special event marking
Women's Equality
Day.
__________________________________________
NWPC
State Updates
NWPC-CA conducted its biennial Convention in
Los Angeles at the end of March. A stellar line up of speakers -- from
Linda and Loretta Sanchez, the pioneering Congressional sisters, to Jane
Harmon, to the fiery and inspiring Maxine Waters -- along with a
depressing/encouraging update on the state of Title IX, reminded us all of
why we keep our commitments to NWPC and the brave and dedicated women we
help elect.
At the Saturday Evening Gala honoring Good Guy Rod
Lurie (creator of The Contender and Commander in Chief), NWPC's National
President Llenda Jackson-Leslie was on hand to present the surprise award
to the California Feminist of the Year: our own Sharon Ball.
NWPC California will hold its June 24-25 Board meeting in
Oakland at the Washington Inn. Please save the evening on Saturday, June
24th for a post-election reception honoring our local women candiates and
electeds.
*******************
Candidates Endorsed
by NWPC-CA
Dianne Feinstein – US Senate
Lisa
Rea – CD 4
Lynn Woolsey, CD 6
Ellen Tauscher, CD 10
Zoe
Lofgren – CD 16
Lois Capps, CD 23
Jill Martinez – CD 24
Hilda Solis, CD 32
Maxine Waters – CD 35
Jane Harman –
CD 36
Juanita Millender-McDonald, CD 37
Linda Sanchez, CD 39
Florice Hoffman – CD 40
Francine Busby, CD 50
Jackie Speier, Lt. Governor
(dual endorsement)
Debra Bowen, Secretary of State
Deborah Ortiz, Secretary of
State
Betty Yee, Board of Equalization, District I
Judy
Chu, Board of Equalization,
District IV
Pat Wiggins, SD
2
Ellen Corbett, SD 10
Cindy Montanez, SD 20
Patty
Berg, AD 1
Pam Torliatt, AD 6
Laura Canciamilla, AD 11
Janet Reilly, AD 12
Loni Hancock, AD 14
Ronnie Caplane,
AD 16
Mary Hayashi, AD 18
Ferial Masry, AD 37
Abbe Land,
AD 42
Diana Peterson-More, AD 44
Dianne Harmon, AD 67
__________________________________________
IMPORTANT
COMMISSION VACANCIES
One of the best first steps up the
ladder to political office is appointment to a city commission, especially
if the commission is a powerful one. The following annoucement was just
sent out by Oakland City Councilmember Jane Brunner regarding current
commission vacancies, and also includes information on how people
interested in serving can apply or get more
information.
Dear North Oaklanders:
I often
get requests from residents about how they can get more involved in what's
going on in the City. One great way to learn more about what's happening
in Oakland and be of tremendous service is to volunteer to sit on one of
Oakland's many Boards and Commissions.
Listed below are some
of the vacancies on our Boards and Commissions. If you would be
interested in serving on one, or know someone who may be, please contact
me. Send a resume and a short letter explaining why you'd like to
serve, and I can forward it along to the Mayor, who makes most
appointments.
Children's Fairyland Board: 3 positions
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission: 1 position
Landmarks
Preservation Advisory Board: 2 positions
Library Advisory
Commission: 9 positions
Oakland Housing Authority Board: 2 positions
Paramount Theater of the Arts Board: 3 positions
Boards
and Commissions are a great way to make a difference! I encourage you to
consider serving.
Sincerely,
Jane
Brunner
Councilmember, District
1
******************************************
If you are
interested or just want more information on Boards & Commissions
generally, you may also call either Lena Tam (287-1240) or Rena Rickles
(452-1600).
__________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP
UPDATES
If you have received membership renewal information
from the state office, please disregard it and renew locally; it’s more
efficient for us and entitles you to membership on the local, state and
national level. We encourage current members to spread the word about
NWPC to friends and colleagues. We extend our extra thanks to those
renewing members whose generous sponsorship supports limited income
memberships and caucus programs. If you are considering becoming an NWPC
member and would like further information, please contact Ann-Marie Hogan,
Membership Chair, at 540-6536 or visit our website at www.nwpc.org.
NWPC-AN thanks the
following new & renewed members!
Sarah
Andropoulos
Laurie Earp
Jean Fong
Shirley Gee
Linda
Handy
Ann-Marie Hogan
Sheila Jordan
Vivian Kahn
Pat
Kernighan
Stefanie Komaru (new)
Jerrie Meadows
Peggy Orlin
(new)
Barbara Parker (new)
Jennifer Rindahl (new)
LuAnn
Rogers
Courtney Ruby (new)
Sarah Wilson (new)
It's
time to renew membership for the following members:
Winnie
Lu Anderson
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Ruth Atkin
Ronnie
Caplane
Alona Clifton
Gay Plair Cobb
Cynthia Wooten
Cohen
LuAnn DeWitt
Pamela Drake
Susan Duncan
Samuela
Evans
Deborah Gilmore
Sylvia Kahn
Corinne Lamata
Kitty
McLean
Kate Quick
Catherine Trimbur
Peipei
Yu
Don’t forget that you are welcome to join or renew online
through the California website using a credit card at http://www.nwpcca.org/ht/d/Join/pid/1449
__________________________________________
NWPC
PURPOSES AND GOALS
The purpose and goals of NWPC-AN are to
increase women’s participation in the political process, to increase the
number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed positions, to win
equality for women and to support candidates who support our goals. In
pursuit of these goals, NWPC-AN is dedicated to the eradication of sexism,
racism, anti-Semitism, ageism, violence, poverty, discrimination against
the disabled and discrimination on the basis of religion, and to ensuring
reproductive freedom and freedom of sexual
orientation.
__________________________________________
Thanks
for reading! For questions or comments regarding the NWPC-AN e-newsletter,
please write to sarah.ja@gmail.com.
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