All ages are welcome at our spring Cocktails and Politics event on May 13 at Basic in East Village!
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Spring 2010 Message From Our President
Michelle Burton, President | Dear Members,
I'm pleased to kick off the first election year in Run Women Run's history. The 2010 election cycle is heating up, just in time to support some formidable, highly qualified women candidates running for federal, state, and local office. During this election year, Run Women Run will be hosting programs designed to provide you, our members, with direct access to the candidates so that they can get to know them and their positions on the issues that are important to you. As part of Run Women Run's goal to recruit, mentor, and inspire qualified pro-choice women to run for political office, we provide them with a forum to connect to the community. With campaign costs spiraling out of control, we also need to assist these women financially, and with other types of support.
Our March 18, 2010 Candidate Forum, hosted in partnership with CALIFORNIA LIST, was a tremendous opportunity to meet many of these candidates. If you missed the program, I encourage you to go to our websiteto learn about the candidates. Spread the word to your friends and family, and please open your checkbook to support these women on an individual basis. As the grassroots Internet campaign run by President Obama in 2008 demonstrated, even small contributions can make a big difference. There are also other ways to get involved. Our new website has a section for members to sign up to host an event for a candidate and invite other members to join them. Events can range from stuffing envelopes with campaign materials, knocking on doors, posting fliers and holding up signs, to hosting a fundraiser. In my own experience, piling friends and colleagues in the car for a road trip to Vegas to help Hillary win the state primary was one of the most memorable and inspiring occasions in my life.
In the coming weeks, Run Women Run will be compiling the responses to election questionnaires that were distributed to the candidates. Shortly thereafter, we will begin endorsing candidates. If you are on the Advisory Board, please keep a look out for an email that will enclose a ballot for you to cast your vote. As we look ahead this year, I want to encourage you to join one of our highly effective committees (committee reports are below) so you can choose how you'd like to participate. One of the strengths of Run Women Run, and why we expect to accomplish our mission, is having the support of the accomplished women who chair and serve on our committees. These women share a common vision and are dedicated to reversing the declining trend of women seeking political office. We look forward to your involvement, and thank you for your continued support for Run Women Run and the women who will be making a change. All the best,  Michelle Burton |
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Remembering Midge
Longtime advocate for justice, Midge Costanza, dies at 77
 Run Women Run is saddened by the death on March 23 of our Honorary Lifetime Member and lifelong champion of choice and feminism, Midge Costanza. Read District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis' tribute to Midge and more on San Diego News Network.A memorial for Midge Costanza will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April
24, at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. In lieu of flowers, the
family has requested that donations be made to the Midge Costanza Institute for Politics and Public Policy. Checks can be made out to the
"Midge Costanza Institute," P.O. Box 15523, San Diego, CA 92175. |
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Don't Miss
Thursday, May 13, 20105:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
at Basic - 410 10th Avenue - San Diego
Please join us for post-work cocktails and conversation with two trailblazing women:
Olga Diaz, Escondido City Councilwoman
and a special guest to be announced
Cocktails & Politics is a series of free, informal events designed to build a network of San Diego women who support women running for local elective office.
Cocktails & Politics is planned by the Under 40 Committee of Run Women Run. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend.
Pizza and refreshments sponsored by Monarch Group.
Parking available on the street, or in lot behind Basic for $5. |
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Run Women Run Showcased Top Female Candidates
At Premier Forum
Pearl Quinones, Mary Salas, Janice Hahn, Toni Atkins, Crystal Crawford |
On March 18, Run Women Run and California List hosted the Premiere 2010 California
Women Candidate Forum. Bettina Duval, founder of CALIFORNIA
LIST, moderated the event, which featured the following candidates:
Janice Hahn - Los Angeles City Council member, running for California Lieutenant Governor Kamala Harris - San Francisco District Attorney, running for Attorney General Mary Salas - State Assemblywoman, running for State Senate District 40 Crystal Crawford - Past Mayor of Del Mar, running for State Assembly District 74 Toni Atkins - Former San Diego City Council Member, running for State Assembly District 76 Pearl Quinones - Sweetwater School Board Member, running for State Assembly District 79
Crystal Crawford and Kamala Harris
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The candidates shared their "stories" with our audience of roughly 100 women and men. They described their background and what makes them qualified candidates. They also expressed their passion for the issues that have driven them to run for public office. Toni Atkins, Pearl Quinones, and Mary Salas emphasized the dire need for improving access to quality education in California. Kamala Harris emphasized the need to be "smart on crime," by not only punishing criminals, but also affirmatively preventing crime. Janice Hahn highlighted her successful efforts to create jobs and fight against air pollution at the Port of Los Angeles, which she cited as relevant experience for the post of Lieutenant Governor. Crystal Crawford described her frustrations with the continuing budget crises, and said she "wants to put the shine back on our golden state."
The candidates also expressed the challenges they've faced as women running for office and expressed the need for more women to be elected to positions of power. Crystal Crawford stated analysts believe women must attain a third of the Assembly seats in order to effectively shift State legislation. Kamala Harris and Janice Hahn pointed out that if elected, they will be the first women in California to hold the offices of Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor.
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Featured Committee: Programs
Abby Silberman-Weiss, Programs Committee Chair
Abby Silverman-Weiss, Programs Committee Chair | After only 15 months of operation, Run Women Run has already made an impact on the San Diego political landscape. Our very first program, held in October 2008, featured seasoned and successful public figures as well as aspiring women candidates for local offices. In the election that followed, ALL seven women who participated in the event won their races.
The Program Committee reinforces Run Women Run's goal of encouraging and supporting pro-choice women candidates by developing interesting, inclusive and educational programs, and other events.
 Each gathering is an opportunity for women to meet one another, learn about the political process, and hear from candidates or current and past office holders. Other programs helped us gain a deeper understanding of the political process, learn what it takes to run a successful campaign, and encouraged a deeper commitment to participating in the political process - - in other words, to help pro-choice women candidates get elected in San Diego. Read about Run Women Run's first year programs.
 Our second full year of operation is an election year, and RWR programs will focus on presenting pro-choice women candidates to our members.
In March we held a Candidate Forum for women who are running for state wide office. The event was co-sponsored with CALIFORNIA LIST, a powerful ally in RWR's mission. This Candidate Forum is the subject of another article, but it was impressive start for our year.
We will hold another candidate forum in the Fall, and hope to get our members involved in the nitty-gritty of our candidates' campaigns.
In order to encourage young women to consider running for office and to get involved in campaigns, the "Under 40" Committee's second annual event will be held on May 13, 2010 (see details below). "Under 40" is not a chronological cut off for attendance, so all are welcome, but we want to send the message that Run Women Run depends upon its younger members to attend the events and become politically active. |
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Committee Updates:
MARKETING
Sarah Boot and Shana Hazan, Co-Chairs
  In addition to promoting Run Women Run's events, the Marketing Committee has launched the Stepping Up newsletter to give you more in-depth information on our organization and on the elections and issues that matter to you. The newsletter also includes features on specific members' accomplishments or activities. Have you recently received an honor, appointment or promotion you'd like to share with the Run Women Run community? Please send in your newsworthy items, and let us toot your horn! |
The Marketing Committee has also been actively using social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, to get important information to you quickly. The numbers of our followers on Twitter and fans on Facebook have grown exponentially since we began announcing breaking news regarding women in politics in this region, including updates on pending legislation and who has joined or dropped out of an upcoming race. We have also started a LinkedIn Page and encourage our members to use it for both networking purposes and as an avenue for dialogue with the "group discussions" feature.
If you haven't already joined our online social networks, what are you waiting for? Click on the following links to:
Please check in regularly, and join the conversation. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Marketing Committee - we'd love to have your participation!
Please contact the chairs, Shana Hazan and Sarah Boot, at marketing@runwomenrun.orgfor more information.
MEMBERSHIP
Bryna Kranzler, Committee Member
 Run Women Run's Membership Committee plans to double membership by the end of 2010. This involves communicating with the community, at large, about upcoming programs and events, as well as encouraging current attendees of our programs to join Run Women Run. We are also reaching out to groups that, in the past, have been overlooked by other organizations. These include the "Under 40" segment, teens of voting age, and those who live in outlying areas of San Diego County, such as in East County and South County.A special, "Under 40" subcommittee focuses on creating opportunities for our younger members to engage with other politically interested peers. Their social events, however, are open to interested participants of all ages.
Email membership@runwomenrun.orgfor more information about the membership committee.
RESEARCH & ENDORSEMENTS
Dr. Elaine Hanson, Chair
 As the primaries draw near and candidates commit to
running for political office, Run Women Run is distributing its Candidate Questionnaire and proceeding with its endorsement process for the current election cycle (primaries and general election).
All interested credible California candidates for city, county, state, and federal office are invited to fill out the brief but comprehensive candidate questionnaire which includes queries regarding support for legal confidential comprehensive reproductive health and family planning services. This includes support for age-appropriate and medically accurate sex education, confidential access for minors, and laws safeguarding reproductive healthcare providers. RWR is nonpartisan, and all candidates are urged to fill out the form. Endorsements, however, are made for female candidates only.
Once the completed questionnaires are received and reviewed by the Endorsement Chair, they are forwarded to the Executive Committee and the Advisory Committee. Interviews with candidates may be requested to clarify answers, but all responses to the questionnaires will be held in confidence. Final endorsement decisions, and where permitted by law, financial contributions, will be made by RWR Advisory Board vote. Pro-choice incumbents and those with pro-choice public voting records will be given preference over those without public voting records.
The complete Endorsement Policy is available on Run Women Run's website.
If you know of candidates who seek support from Run Women Run or its membership encourage them to complete and submit the endorsement questionnaireas soon as possible, and contact Research and Endorsement Chair Elaine Hanson at endorsement@runwomenrun.org. |
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Member Spotlight: Megan Lim
Each issue of Stepping Up features one of the hundreds of dynamic and inspiring members of Run Women Run. Are there members you'd like to see featured? Email us at marketing@runwomenrun.org with your recommendations.
For this issue, Run Women Run member Katy Courson interviewed Megan Lim.
Megan Lim
 | Run Women Run Member Since: May 2009. Megan is currently working on the planning committee for the May 13th Cocktails and Politics event.
Occupation: Development Director at the San Diego Public Library Foundation
Alma Mater: Bowdoin College - Class Chair and San Diego Club President, past Alumni Council member
Civic Involvement: Board Member, California Association of Nonprofits (CAN); Vice Chair, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN); Member and Past Board Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP); Board Member, New Leaders Council (NLC) San Diego; Founding Member, Women Give San Diego; Member, Junior League of San Diego; National Philanthropy Day
Issue I'm Currently Most Passionate About: Education. I strongly believe that education is the only way to make change stick. Education is often the springboard opportunity to better your life. Someone who is literate holds a better job, provides for their family, stays healthy, pursues their dreams ... and when education extends beyond one individual, you can change society's values and that means lasting change.
If I Could Tell the President One Thing, It Would Be: The President and the First Lady, you mean? Please invest in education, especially for women and girls. Oh, and I love all that the White House kitchen garden stands for.
Fun Fact: I'm learning more about sailboat racing, and one could argue that I pay too much attention to good food, but I'm not convinced that's possible.
Favorite Quote: I don't have one quote but I do find inspiration in people, civic leaders mostly, individuals who make the conscious choice to volunteer, to give back, especially those who do so thoughtfully and with real commitment.
The Final Word: I am immensely grateful for Run Women Run. Over the past year, I've met women who are also committed to immersing themselves in San Diego and civic engagement. A unique asset of Run Women Run is that if offers newcomers to politics, like myself, a comfortable and welcoming environment to get involved in local issues and candidates. The content first got me involved and the camaraderie keeps bringing me back. | |
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Learn More About California's Citizen Redistricting Commission
Background Every 10
years, after the federal census, every state must redraw the boundaries of its legislative and other political districts to
reflect the new population data. How these boundaries are drawn affects how
people are represented. In California, the process of redrawing the boundaries-redistricting-was
a duty of state elected officials. But when voters passedProposition 11 (the Voters FIRST Act)
in the November 2008 general election, responsibility for redrawing district lines transferred to the people
in the form of a new Citizens Redistricting Commission.
What is the California Citizens Redistricting Commission? California's
first Citizens Redistricting Commission is a new 14-member body charged with
redrawing California's Senate, Assembly and State Board of Equalization districts
based on 2010 census data. The Commission must draw
the districts in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create
districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation
for all Californians.
The Selection Process The first phase of the
application process to become a member of the Commission ran from December through February with Phase Two-the supplemental application phase- currently
underway. Applicants that are tentatively eligible based on information they
provided in the first application have been invited to complete the
supplemental application by April 19, 2010. Do you want to know how many
initial applications were received and how many applicants are tentatively
eligible? You can see the initial
applicant pool here. Statistics
about applicants who continue in the process and complete supplemental
applications are updated on a daily basis.
San Diego County Applicants By Gender
In San Diego County 1654 males submitted initial applications, compared to 826 women. Of the total applicants 1350 men and 669 women were deemed tentatively eligible. As of April 10, 53 women and 109 men submitted supplemental applications. By the same date complete applications were received from 65 men and 28 women.
Public Comments Welcome
The California State Auditor is
taking public comments about individual applicants throughout the supplemental
application process. Public comments can be submitted electronically by
clicking on the submit public comments button on the applicant's page in the applicant database.
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Planned Parenthood Dinner
 Run Women Run members may be interested to know about Planned Parenthood's 47th
Anniversary Dinner on April 22. The speaker this year will be particularly interesting to Run Women Run members. Michelle Goldberg is an acclaimed journalist and has written extensively on reproductive choice, both from a national and global perspective.
The dinner is chaired by Run Women Run's Endorsement Committee Chair Dr. Elaine Hanson, and will honor Run Women Run member Amy Corton with its Margaret Sanger Award. Learn more and get tickets. |
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Run Women Run
is a California Political Action Committee.
Fair Political Practices Commission #1311775. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee
Learn more at www.runwomenrun.org
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