Women In Leadership for Diverse Representation W omen make up more than half of the American electorate. However, California remains one of 19 states that have never had a female governor. One reason is there are fewer women in the political pipeline to advance to the top office. California has 120 members of the Legislature, and 32 percent are women. The Institute for Elected Women: California is the nation’s first non-partisan training and mentoring program for women newly elected to a state legislature, facilitated and taught exclusively by women members, both former and current, of that legislature. In 2009, under a contract with former California Assembly Speaker, now Congresswoman Karen Bass, former State Assemblywoman Patty Berg designed the training and mentoring program for women elected to the California State Legislature in 2010. For details, see https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/ legislators/womens-legislative-network/ institute-for-elected-women-california. aspx. A 2021 report by the Center for American Women and Politics found
“Panetta” from page 9 In the pending House-passed Build Back Better Act, he secured funds for agricultural research and conservation and tax credits for electronic bus and bicycle purchases to help reduce carbon emissions. Panetta is one of only eight chief deputy whips in the House Democratic leadership. He is member of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, the Bipartisan Working Group, and is a founder of the For Country Caucus that consists of military veterans who are members of Congress that work together on policies for a more productive government. Prior to being elected to Congress, Panetta worked as a prosecutor and served in the military. After graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law, he was a deputy district attorney for Alameda and Monterey counties where he focused on pursuing justice for victims, protecting families, and making communities safer. He was appointed to the California Councils on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, which advises the Governor’s Office.
COMMUNITY NEWS
women hold 30.5 percent of municipal cation funding, voter access, housing justice and an equitable and shared economy for all. offices, which is less than one–third. WILDR aims to create change by It was the first time that data had been supporting diverse candidates who have collected. No comprehensive data exists on the the life experience, passion and resolve to visualize and fight racial demographics for a more just and of the people who equitable Santa Cruz serve in local govCounty. ernment, according The group to The 19th News, will offer 5 online an independent nonmeetings in 2022, profit newsroom, each from 6:30-8 p.m. though women of In-person options color made history may be offered for in the 2020 general networking after election with wins at each forum if there is the local level. capacity to organize Locally, underShirley Weber those. Each meeting representation of California Secretary of State will focus on a spewomen in elected offices has been observed, and a new group cific topic and include a panel of speakers, small group discussions for networking, is doing something about it. Women in Leadership for Diverse and provide an opportunity for conRepresentation –WILDR -- is committed to nection for mentorship. Dates are: realizing more diverse representation by Wednesday, Jan. 26: Developing the women in elected and appointed positions pipeline of diverse women candiin Santa Cruz County. dates — important considerations for Participants support racial and gender making a decision to run, positions equity, reproductive justice, lifespan edu-
that will be open, how women have made decisions in the past. How can women support others with endorsements, funding, campaigning. To register for the Jan. 26 forum, go to https://tinyurl.com/jan-26-pipeline Thursday, March 3: How to build a campaign — Steps to take to start a campaign, developing a team, developing a winning message, fundraising, issues specific to diverse women running. Resources and connections for running. Thursday, May 12: City Councils — what city councils do, why it is important, which elections are for which cities, hear from women who have served and are serving. Thursday, July 7: School boards — what school boards do, why it is important, hear from women who have served and are serving, how to start a campaign to be elected. Thursday, Sept. 8: Commissions & groups — deep dive, their power & influence, who is serving, how to get on, barriers and how to address them, building capacity for power once on a commission or in a group. n
As a member of the United States Navy Reserve, he was mobilized to active duty after the attacks of 9/11 and deployed to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer assigned to a Special Operations task force. Based on his meritorious service in a combat zone, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After returning home, he became a board member of the Veterans Transition Center where he worked to address veterans’ homelessness and championed the opening of Monterey County’s first Veterans Treatment Court. With local leaders and veterans, he helped establish the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. He was named a Monterey County Veteran of the Year in 2015. The son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Sylvia Panetta, CEO of the 24-year-old Panetta Institute for Public Policy, Jimmy Panetta was raised and educated on the Central Coast, where he lives with his wife and their two daughters. n ••• For info, visit www.jimmypanetta.com
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Scotts Valley Times / January 2022 / 17
