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With a marquee
seemingly as prominent as Mt. Diablo and the words "Welcome
Junior Leagues of California" illuminating the floor of
the California State Assembly, the women of the Junior League
were clearly a headline act during a recent trip to the state
capitol.
Nearly 40
women, including seven members of the Junior League of Oakland-East
Bay, Inc. (JLOEB), gathered for the annual State Public Affairs
Committee (SPAC) day on March 6th. 12 leagues sent representatives
to the event, but the JLOEB had the largest presence and most
enthusiastic contingent by far!
We gathered
to learn more about SPAC's involvement as a non-partisan education
and advocacy organization and see our state government in action.
We learned that SPAC is charged with promoting voluntarism as
well as backing legislation favorable to its member leagues'
community projects and focus areas. Since 1971, the Junior Leagues
of California State Pubic Affairs Committee has represented
the interests of its member leagues and the issue areas addressed
by their projects to policy makers at the state and local levels.
The collective voice of this non-partisan group represents more
than 12,000 voting women in over 16 communities throughout California.
After a
welcome and brief explanation of SPAC's purpose we were introduced
to State Senator Joe Simitian of the 11th district who discussed
some of the important issues facing the legislature this year
including the prison crisis. A Junior League of Sacramento member,
and a staff member to Secretary of State Debra Bowen' discussed
Bowen's strong support of education and her desire to get all
citizens involved in the election process.
We then
were treated to a lunch at nearby Chop's restaurant while listening
to the amazing story of how former California State Senate Jackie
Speier was shot and left for dead as part of the group investigating
the People's Temple in Jonestown. She spoke candidly about how
this life-changing event motivated her to run for public office
when she was just 26 years old. Speier has become a great champion
of women's and children's issues and SPAC worked closely with
her during her tenure. She's publishing an upcoming book about
how women can support other women. Our day concluded with a
tour of the Assembly floor and introduction to Houser Minority
Leader Assemblyman Michael Villines.
The presence and power of the California Junior Leagues was
obvious. All of those who attended came away with a deep insight
into the role that SPAC plays in our government as well as a
better understanding of our state legislature. It was a fun
and energizing trip and you should pencil it in your calendars
for next March.
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| Welcome
on the Assembly floor. |
Pictured
are representatives from the Junior Leagues in attendance. |
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| From
the left: Gayle Tornberg, Jackie Motley, Mazie Fitzgerald,
Assemblyman Michael Villines, Heidi Upton, Teri Reynolds,
Sharon Maxon and Melissa McDonald. |
JLOEB
representatives in the rotunda. |
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2008
- Save The Date!
SPAC Annual bus trip to Sacramento for
"California Junior Leagues' Day in the Capitol"
An
all-day event, hosted by The Junior League of
Palo Alto*Mid Peninsula, with support from SPAC
March 2008 (Date TBD)
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