Dear :

Thank you for your membership in Run Women Run. Since our inception last October, our membership has grown to over 200 of the most prominent and forward-thinking women from San Diego's business, professional, and political communities.

This year, we ask that you renew your membership in RWR and we invite you to become a member of our President's Cabinet, Ambassador's Club, or Senator's Circle.  As our membership grows, so does our influence.
 
RWR was founded to correct the underrepresentation of women in state and local government. The United States ranks 68th among 134 countries with only 16% of elected positions held by women, hardly the model of a 'progressive' nation. In Nordic countries, women fill 41.4% of those roles. It is no coincidence that women in countries with a higher percentage of women in government also have reproductive choice.
 
To address this inequality, we focus on identifying, mentoring and financially supporting progressive, pro-choice women candidates. At our first event last October:

• A Candidates' Forum featured seven women in hotly contested local races. Each described her position on the issues important in her race, and answered questions. A few weeks later, each participant won her race. 
  
  Your support made this possible. 2010, is an important election year and we plan to endorse and make financial contributions to progressive, pro-choice women candidates.

Also in our first year:

• RWR co-sponsored a Political Boot Camp with the Lawyers Club and the San Diego County Bar Association which provided information on the facets of running for political office from campaign fundraising to honing your message.
  
  
• Our March program, The Landscape: California Women in Public Office, featured former state Senator Dede Alpert, long-time political leader Midge Costanza, Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford, Assembly member Mary Salas, and former Congresswoman Lynn Schenk. They spoke about the history of women in government, the practicalities, the successes and "the dirt." The program was significant enough to be taped for UCSD-TV and aired several times.
  
  
• In June, Laura Liswood, co-founder of the Council on Women World Leaders, talked about "closing the gender gap in business and politics." Liswood spoke candidly about the challenges women world leaders face and their assent to power.
  
  
• And in July, California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass participated in an informal, intimate Q&A with RWR where our members were provided the opportunity to ask direct questions to Madame Speaker about the states challenges.
  
  
• In October, the Advisory Board met to celebrate accomplishments in 2009 and to hone RWR's goals for 2010.
  
  
• In December, RWR will host an exclusive members only end-of-year cocktail reception with local elected officials.

We spent the past year building a foundation and some recognition, so RWR is well-positioned to make a difference in the upcoming mid-term elections. Your membership and continued participation makes that possible. 

We look forward to an exciting election year and hope that you will renew your membership and renew your commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of women in political office. 
 
Please consider increasing your contribution so that RWR will have the resources to continue its mission.
 
All the best, 

 
Michelle Burton
President of RWR