By Nicole Carcel, NWPC LA Westside Board Member
On October 10, 1911, California became the 6th state in the United States where women could vote. It doesn’t surprise me that our remarkable state saw the importance of equality nine years before the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
A century later, California is still considered to be one of the nation’s most forward thinking states. As we get ready for 2012 it is important to think of the women in 1911 who knew their voice was essential to shaping the California we know and love.
Today, our voice matters more than ever. Women represent over 51% of the population, but only a little more than a quarter of elected positions at the county, state and federal levels. There is still much work to be done to inspire and empower women to run for office in our great state.
There are a number of great projects and organizations that are taking on the challenge of electing, educating, and empowering women to be more engaged.
The 2012 Project is a national, non-partisan campaign to increase the number of women in Congress and state legislatures by taking advantage of the once-in-a-decade opportunities of 2012. For more information check out http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/
California Women Lead is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of women holding or interested in holding elected or appointed office. Their mission is to give California's women the tools they need to be successful in both their political and professional lives. For more information on California Women Lead check out http://www.cawomenlead.org.
If you or an extraordinary woman in your life is ready to take action, we want to hear from you!
Being part of NWPC LA Westside has shown me that when surrounded by a group of remarkable women anything is possible.
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