CEWAER History

Founders
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
Doris Davis
Pauline Davis
March Fong Eu
Dianne Feinstein
Mary Henderson
Helen Kennedy
Maureen OíConnor
Ivy Baker Priest
Helen Putnam
Anne Rudin
Pat Russell
Marilyn Ryan
Renee Simon
Susanne Wilson

The Ms. Foundation gave CEWAER its first grant - $1000 to start the organization. This enabled the founders to begin implementing their vision of an association dedicated to supporting women in public office.

In 1974, a new organization was started in California that was probably the first of its kind anywhere; an association of elected women. Brought together were women who had been elected to many levels of government scattered through a state 1200 miles long, with at least two major urban centers and miles of rural real estate where cities are huge distances from each other.

The need for a new organization seemed evident for a long time, partly because of the general dissatisfaction with the male power structure, the disproportionate number of elected women and the sense of aloneness felt by women who are elected and then must function in an isolated situation. Many women feel that elected women are more than role models, that they can use their influence and clout to help the aspirations of all women. And women are finally recognizing that they need supporters, buddies, and a communication network - in other words, the counterpart to the "old boys club".

The first group of six women (Pat Russell, Los Angeles Councilwoman; Helen Kennedy, San Gabriel Councilwoman; Marilyn Ryan, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor; Helen Putnam, Petaluma Mayor; Renee Simon, Long Beach Councilwoman; Anne Rudin, Sacramento Councilwoman) met in February 1974 to discuss the concept of the organization and from this emerged a steering committee (Pat Russell, Los Angeles Councilwoman; Helen Kennedy, San Gabriel Councilwoman; Marilyn Ryan, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor; Helen Putnam, Petaluma Mayor; Ginny Simms, Napa Supervisor; Renee Simon, Long Beach Councilwoman; Anne Rudin, Sacramento Councilwoman; Yvonne Burke, US Congresswoman; Doris Davis, Compton Mayor; Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco Supervisor; Mary Henderson, Redwood City Vice Mayor; Maureen O'Connor, San Diego Councilwoman; Suzanne Wilson, San Jose Councilwoman) to prepare for a meeting in Sacramento in early April to test how many women were interested and wanted to participate in such an association. Twenty-four women attended the Sacramento meeting, and the steering committee pushed ahead with plans for a conference.

An emphasis was placed on workshops at the conference because no one knew if any candidates would actually show. The workshops were planned around issues women were involved with on a daily basis, and not only did candidates show up, but also a tap had been turned on, there was a constant flow of them. Press and media response was exceptional. Even though no one had heard of (California Women Lead), elected women gathered together had to be newsworthy and important.

CEWAER began to build a talent roster. An immediate recruitment began for resumes of qualified women to serve in state government. Notices in newsletters, in other publications, and word of mouth brought resumes pouring in. The endorsement of an elected woman's association became very meaningful to a job applicant.

Pressure on the new governor (Jerry Brown) was tactful, but consistent. He called CEWAER president and suggested a meeting in her office. This was done and a large binder of the resumes was presented to him and his Appointments Assistant at that meeting. There was no question that this governor was receptive to having women in his administration.

The governor had suggested that CEWAER hold its next board meeting in Sacramento, and we did, just three weeks after his inauguration. Another binder full of resumes was presented to him and by this time, two women had been appointed to the new cabinet and a woman as his Appointment Assistant. Governor Jerry Brown appointed Claire Dedrick (Secretary of Resources) and Rose Bird (Secretary of Agriculture) to serve in his cabinet, and Carlotta Mellon as his Appointments Assistant.

Plans for the first Annual Meeting were to focus on the women who serve at the highest level in state government. Workshops were planned to cover issues that elected women were facing in their own communities. The meeting proved it was not necessary to have candidates to attract attendance or interest. The most consistent comment was the value of talking with each other, sharing problems and information, finding reinforcement and support. We completed our first year with 450 members.

A press release from January 25, 1975 details a meeting between the organization and Governor Jerry Brown, which urged him to set hiring policies that would integrate women into ongoing administration of state government through civil service as well as through executive appointments. It was noted by Sue Hone and Anne Rudin that the responsibility (of appointing women) must rest with department heads to affirmatively seek - out qualified applicants.

Under-representation continues in policy areas not viewed as women's areas. Women in California have not achieved parity and so our work continues.

In 2007, the CEWAER Board of Directors decided that it was time to change the name to better fit the needs of the organization. After a year of work, the new name - California Women Lead - was announced at the Legislative Welcome on January 28, 2008.

California Women Lead has strengthened its commitment in the areas of policy education and research, and creating collaborations with organizations that share our goals and vision. We strive toward a future in California where leaders will reflect the diverse nature of all people who live and work in the state.
The original goals of the organization were as follows:

* Provide a forum for women public officials
* Further educate women on public issues
* Encourage women to enter public affairs, particularly in elected positions
* Stimulate discussion of public issues as they relate to women
* Stimulate research on women and their role and impact on and in government.

Emphasis was made that such an organization would be bi-partisan and would not endorse candidates or partisan issues

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