Virtual Lunch With League

Do we ask too much

of our elected officials (and their families)?

A conversation with former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Guiselle Nuñez, authors of Life in the Fish Bowl

Thursday, April 18

12 noon-1 p.m. via Zoom

Many people who decide to run for office think they understand the roles and responsibilities of public service. But at some point during the campaign or when they are on the dais the reality of the situation hits home. They -- and their families -- are now living in a fishbowl, closely observed by the media, the public, and other public officials. Nothing is off-limits and every action and word is fodder for criticism and interpretation.

Ron Gonzales is a former Sunnyvale City Councilmember and Mayor, a Santa Clara County Supervisor, and Mayor of San Jose. He married Guiselle during his time in office (1999-2006). Their amicable divorce years later allowed them to stay close friends and now co-authors of a book designed to provide lessons to help prospective and current elected officials, and their families, survive and thrive their time in the limelight.

Join us for this fascinating peek into the personal side of politics with real-life stories of current and former elected officials and what their experiences can tell us about the personal sacrifices we ask of those who enter the political arena.

REGISTER now for this webinar and ask questions you would like our speaker to address in their talk. This event is free and open to the public so please pass along this invitation to others.

COMING UP IN MAY

The May 16 Virtual Lunch With League will feature Todd Fries, Executive Director, Northern California Innocence Project.

Seeking delegates and observers

for National League Convention

The biennial National Convention of the League of Women Voters will be held in Washington D.C. June 27-30. This year it will be a hybrid event with delegates and observers able to participate in person or virtually.

Our League is entitled to three voting delegates as well as members who would like to hear dynamic speakers, attend workshops, and watch the League's business meeting as non-voting observers. Agenda items include national budget and program priorities for 2024-2026, bylaws amendments, and election of officers.

The Board will soon be deciding who will attend convention and what role they will play. If you are interested in learning more about the League and would like to be considered as a candidate to be a delegate or observer, please contact League President Diane McNutt by April 19.

Meet member

Michelle Fernandez

Michelle may be one of the 30 (!) individuals who joined our League in the past few months, but she is no newbie when it comes to political and community involvement. Armed with a degree in political science and English from U.C. Berkeley, she started her career working on grassroots political projects including the campaign to bring BART to the South Bay. 

One of her favorite activities was setting up an ironing board at stores and events in under-represented neighborhoods to use as a table to register voters. “It had a homey, blue collar appeal that said ‘we’re just regular people here to talk about how voting is for everyone,’” she said. 

Fast forward almost three decades to 2022 when Michelle retired from a 27-year career in the Santa Clara County Probation Department, most of which was devoted to working with juvenile offenders and their families. With both children in college, Michelle was ready to take on new volunteer responsibilities and – to our great benefit – she zoned in on the League.

“My passion is voting and I have always been familiar with the League,” she said. “It is so well-respected and a constant fixture in our community,” she said. Michelle has wasted no time, serving as a timer for recent Candidates Forums, staffing voting information tables at local events, and attending different League activities and committee meetings to learn more about the League.

“Talking with people about the importance of voting is similar to my work in probation,” she said. “You plant seeds with what you say and do and hope that they will take root. I’m eager to learn more about the League and how to engage voters in democracy.”

First Fridays at San Jose Museum of Art

One of Michelle’s first League projects is heading up a team that participates in the First Friday events each month at the San Jose Museum of Art. The Museum stays open 6-9 p.m. and offers free admission and entertainment to the community. It is an opportunity for the League to talk with residents about voting and encourage them to become active citizens. More volunteers are always welcome! If you are interested, please email VoterService@lwvsjsc.org for details.

Tuesday, April 9

12 noon-1 p.m. via Zoom

LWV Bay Area presents another in its series of timely and provocative webinars on issues in our healthcare system. This one focuses on race and gender disparities.

Race is reflected in the pandemic's disproportionate effect on communities of color. Women’s diseases are often missed and misdiagnosed. Women and people of color are often ignored by the medical profession. Clinical studies and research are typically limited to white male patients even though women’s bodies are different. The program will also explore the long-term impact of discrimination and microaggressions on our bodies.

Speakers

• Dr. Susan Rogers, immediate past President of the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and assistant professor of medicine at Rush University. She is a longtime advocate for health care justice and racial equity.

• Kavita Ramdas, Activist in Residence for the Global Fund for Women and Director of the Women’s Rights Program at the Open Society Foundation. Ms. Ramdas is a globally recognized advocate for gender equity and justice.

Register Here