Our Vision

To achieve a society based upon the feminist values of social, political, racial and economic gender equality.

December 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Co-Presidents' Message: Fighting for Santa Barbara's Future
Interview with Congressmember Salud Carbajal
What is my Why: Denise Ellis
Returning and New Board Members; 2026 Executive Committee

CO-PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE

Lisa Guravitz and Elsa Granados

Fighting for Santa Barbara's Future: A Conversation on Climate Action and Community Engagement

In the final interview of 2025 exploring in depth the topics discussed at our March “2025 Feminist Playbook” event, the SBWPC Co-Presidents met with two of the region's leading environmental advocates—Linda Krop, Chief Counsel of the Environmental Defense Center, and Sigrid Wright, CEO and Executive Director of the Community Environmental Council—to discuss the urgent climate challenges facing our community and the critical battles ahead.

Two Paths to Environmental Leadership

Krop's journey into environmental advocacy began through the legal door. With decades of experience, she has worked to terminate oil leases off the California coast and recently partnered with Santa Barbara County to not only prohibit new onshore oil development but also phase out existing operations. Her work aims to create local impact while setting precedents that can serve as role models for other regions.

Wright arrived in Santa Barbara in 1995 with a background in journalism and communications, quickly recognizing a surprising gap in climate conversation for an oceanfront community. In the early 2000s, she co-wrote one of the nation's first community climate action plans—"Fossil Free by 33"—envisioning a future free from fossil fuels. Now celebrating 30 years with CEC, Wright has witnessed a remarkable transformation, particularly after the 2016 election when local cities leaned into the Paris Climate Accord as an act of resistance against federal inaction.

Santa Barbara's Unique Vulnerabilities

Our region faces an alarming array of climate threats. Wright explains that Santa Barbara County experiences nearly all climate impacts except hurricanes: extreme heat, prolonged drought, severe storms, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise. The geography presents particular challenges—southern Santa Barbara County's urban areas form a narrow strip pinched between the ocean and national forest, with little room for expansion.

"We're warming at a faster rate than anywhere else in the lower 48," Wright notes, citing a Washington Post investigation that won a Pulitzer Prize. The region's buildings weren't designed for extreme heat, lacking adequate cooling infrastructure. This matters especially for outdoor agricultural workers who face dangerous exposure during heat events.

Krop adds the marine perspective: rising water temperatures and exponentially increasing ocean acidification threaten the marine environment that sustains local fisheries, recreation, and ecological health. The Environmental Defense Center's groundbreaking report on ocean acidification, initiated at the request of commercial fishermen noticing changes in the Santa Barbara Channel, documented these alarming trends and offered recommendations for action.

The Sable Offshore Battle

Perhaps the most pressing immediate threat is Sable Offshore's attempt to restart oil platforms shut down after the devastating 2015 pipeline spill. If these facilities come back online, they would double greenhouse gas emissions in the county—representing everything the community has been fighting against.

Krop outlines the multi-front legal strategy that has successfully delayed the restart repeatedly. The Environmental Defense Center obtained an injunction against unpermitted pipeline repairs, with staff biologists surveying the pipeline route twice weekly to document violations. This evidence led to a criminal complaint by the district attorney, state enforcement action by the Attorney General, a Coastal Commission injunction, and a record $18 million fine against Sable.

"This is probably the biggest effort I've seen in my 35 years here," Krop says, noting they represent five organizations and partner with numerous local and statewide groups.

The corroded pipeline remains impossible to fully repair despite band-aid approaches. New legislation requiring Coastal Commission permits for pipeline restart takes effect January 1, ensuring the first real public process and environmental review after nearly two years of Sable's attempts to circumvent regulations.

The Power of Public Engagement

When asked what role community members can play, both advocates emphasized that public participation makes the critical difference. At County Board of Supervisors hearings, hundreds of residents have shown up to oppose the Sable permit transfer—and their voices matter.

The next crucial hearing is December 17 at the Board of Supervisors, where the county will consider approving the transfer of Exxon's permits to Sable. Public attendance and testimony are essential.

But showing up isn't the only way to help. Emails, phone calls, even silent attendance holding signs send powerful messages to decision-makers. "You think, oh, I'm just one person, what can that do?" Krop acknowledges. "It is the best thing you can do."

Youth Engagement and Coalition Building

One striking feature of recent activism has been robust youth participation, particularly from UCSB students. This didn't happen by accident. Wright and Krop credit nearly two years of coalition building, with weekly meetings that include UCSB's Environmental Affairs Board, Environmental Law Club, Environmental Justice Alliance, and CalPERG.

"It takes a concerted, genuine effort to include them all along," Krop explains. "Let them take leadership." Students have led certain campaign aspects, speaking at press conferences and rallies as featured voices.

The coalition model extends beyond student engagement. The Central Coast Climate Justice Network brings together environmental and social justice organizations that previously operated on parallel, non-intersecting paths. Facilitated conversations over several years built trust and common language, enabling faster collaboration on campaigns.

Confronting Environmental Justice

A more challenging conversation centers on diversity and environmental justice. Both organizations acknowledge this as an ongoing struggle requiring sustained commitment.

The Environmental Defense Center created a new staff attorney position focused on environmental justice outreach. This work revealed troubling gaps in the county's Environmental Justice Element process—a state-mandated policy for general plans. Despite requirements to engage disadvantaged communities, most affected residents didn't know about the process. Hearings were scheduled during work hours, with minimal

interpretation services.

"When they do a community plan in an affluent place like Toro Canyon or Gaviota Coast, they spend years of community outreach and meetings, and in the evenings," Krop notes. "And here it is, the Environmental Justice element. None of that."

The January 27 Board of Supervisors hearing on this element in Santa Maria represents an opportunity to demand genuine community engagement. Wright emphasizes that trust-building "goes at the speed of trust"—it's slow work, but essential work.

Making public processes accessible—evening hearings, Spanish interpretation, meaningful outreach to disadvantaged communities—requires sustained advocacy to change entrenched agency practices.

Victories and Opportunities Ahead

Despite the challenges, recent victories inspire continued action. Krop highlights the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary—the only tribally nominated sanctuary in the country, and one of the largest. Nominated by the non-federally recognized Northern Chumash Tribal Council after 40 years of work by the indigenous population, it protects the most important bioregion in the mainland United States, extending 20 miles offshore along hundreds of miles of coastline.

Looking forward, multiple campaigns need community support:

January 27: Environmental Justice Element hearing in Santa Maria
January 27: CEC Climate Stewards program begins
(https://cecsb.org/climate-stewards)
Ongoing: Climate First Fridays at Environmental Hub (4 PM, first Friday monthly)

A Call to Action

The message from these veteran advocates is clear: local action matters enormously. What happens in Santa Barbara sets precedents and provides models for other communities. The fight to prevent Sable's restart, phase out fossil fuel production, and build a renewable energy future requires sustained public engagement.

As climate threats intensify and political headwinds shift, the strength of local organizing and coalition building becomes more vital than ever. The decades of work by leaders like Krop and Wright demonstrate that persistence, legal expertise, community organizing, and inclusive coalition building can achieve meaningful victories—even against powerful fossil fuel interests.

For more information on upcoming actions and opportunities to engage, visit cecsb.org and environmentaldefensecenter.org.

Interview with Congressmember Salud Carbajal

Representatives from our organization met on November 25, 2025 with Congressmember Carbajal to discuss key issues affecting our community and nation. Present were the Congressmember, Lynn Carter, and Jeannie Low.

Congressional Power and Bipartisan Cooperation

The Congressmember observed emerging cracks in Congressional Republican alignment with the White House, extending beyond the recent controversy over the Epstein files. While initially only a few Republicans showed willingness to demand file releases over presidential objections, the coalition grew large enough that Trump reversed his public position. To avoid singling out individual members and due to legitimate concerns about intimidation, House Republicans ultimately voted en masse for

release.

This shift signals potential opportunities for bipartisan legislation. With a tiny Republican majority in the House and the Senate filibuster, some centrist Republicans are increasingly willing to work with Democrats and Independents on issues of mutual interest.

Healthcare and the Affordable Care Act: Republicans, Congress, and the White House recognize the need to address ACA subsidies, partly due to pressure from the recent government shutdown and effective party communication. A Senate vote has been promised as part of extending the Continuing Resolution. However, Congressmember Carbajal remains uncertain whether Republican replacement proposals will genuinely alleviate costs for lower-income Americans or merely serve as a propaganda façade.

Immigration and ICE: The Congressmember has taken action protesting ICE assaults, agent masking, and the lack of judicial warrants, proper IDs, and uniforms. He noted the Administration has created the country's largest domestic police force, allocating $170 billion and hiring thousands of agents. Presidential policy has been inconsistent—after an ICE raid on a Ventura farm field prompted protest from the Ventura Farm Bureau, Trump briefly promised to halt farm raids to protect food production, then reversed course. The current environment remains hostile to reforming ICE behavior, particularly given Stephen Miller's outsized influence.

Vandenberg Rocket Launches

Addressing concerns about the steep increase in rocket launches from Vandenberg—with accompanying sonic booms and unknown impacts on structures, health, and environment—the Congressmember explained that while the California Coastal Commission's objection to 90 launches this year was federally overruled, the CCC's demands and conditions were adopted, including acoustic monitoring.

The 78 launches so far represent a mix of commercial and national security operations. Congressmember Carbajal has advocated for and secured several concessions:

Modified trajectories to mitigate noise and vibrations for commercial launches
Restrictions on nighttime commercial launches
Further study of launch impacts
A proposed grants program to mitigate launch effects
A commitment that companies will pay indirect costs of commercial launches (currently capped at $5 million per company annually) rather than taxpayers bearing the burden

He hopes to increase this cost-sharing amount going forward.

Gaza and Israel Policy

Members reiterated dissatisfaction with the Congressmember's positions on Gaza, particularly regarding weapons supply given concerns about Israel's conduct of the war.

Voting Record: In April 2024, Congressmember Carbajal voted yes on H.R. 8034 (Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act) and H.R. 815 (emergency supplemental appropriations for Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel), both of which included humanitarian aid. He subsequently wrote to President Biden demanding assurance that Israel facilitate U.S.-funded humanitarian aid within bounds of U.S. and international law. He opposed Republican efforts to override Biden's pause on heavy weapons supply.

HR 3565 Position: The Congressmember did not co-sponsor HR 3565 ("block the bombs") because it would require congressional approval for every weapons sale to Israel. He believes the bill overreaches, would be burdensome for Congress, the Defense Department, and the Israeli government, and could potentially affect Israel's ability to defend itself against ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian proxies. He also views the bill's human rights provisions as redundant with existing Leahy Law requirements. Given that the bill hasn't advanced in committee and won't move forward in this Congress, he considers the weapons sales issue moot, especially with the fragile ceasefire and new peace plan.

The Congressmember acknowledged significant gaps in the current peace plan, noting that the West Bank remains unaddressed and Israel retains control of essential utilities (water, electricity, sewage), which it has weaponized in the past.

Consistent Positions: He emphasized his consistent support for a two-state solution, condemnation of settler and government violence in the West Bank, and recent actions including a May 2025 letter demanding medical services be surged in Gaza. He agrees that Israeli withholding of humanitarian aid is a major issue. In 2024-25, he led or joined multiple congressional letters calling for humanitarian aid enforcement, resumption of aid shipments, and protection of civilian lives.

Constituent Engagement

The Congressmember strongly encourages letters of support or opposition to proposed policies and legislation. He believes they make a real difference and help shape his positions by alerting him to constituent priorities.

Additional Legislative Priorities

Child Care Availability and Affordability Act: This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would modernize tax code provisions, allowing families to double their childcare FSA and permitting small businesses to pool resources for childcare access. Trump included this Act in his budget bill.
Housing Affordability: He supports the American Dream Act, which would provide first-time home buyers a federal loan worth 20% of the home cost (up to a limit), repayable with 20% of appreciation upon sale.
Other Supported Legislation: Extension of the ERA deadline, the Reproductive Health Care Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Congressmember Carbajal's staff composition reflects diversity: 67% are women and 67% are people of color, with three of five senior staff positions held by women.

What is my Why: Denise Ellis

My career in hospitality, working alongside women from across the globe, taught me invaluable lessons about our shared values in the struggle for equality. These experiences grounded my commitment to women's social justice, equity, and the inherent dignity of every individual. At a time when progress feels fragile, I am proud to be part of the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee where we champion feminists at every level of public service.

Returning and New Board Members;
2026 Executive Committee

Returning Board Members

Rachel Aarons | Board Member

Rachel is a psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over forty years. She currently specializes in working with trauma and attachment wounds going back into early childhood when there is no language and no explicit memory. Before she discovered her vocation as a therapist, she was a philosophy professor at the University of Toronto. She is the author of four books, three in therapy and one in philosophy.

Rachel's passion for women's issues began with the first book gifted to her by a colleague back in the 60's entitled "Sisterhood is Powerful." She went on to found and coordinate a Women's Resource Center in a rural logging town north of Vancouver in Canada. Years later, she reiterated this feminist theme by founding and coordinating the Women's Empowerment Project at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara including an annual grant, a women's film series and a women's speaker series. She is currently a member of the Justice and Equity committee at USSB with a focus on women.

In her more than twenty years in Santa Barbara, Rachel has been involved with the Santa Barbara Women's Foundation, the SB Women's March, Dining for Women, the Dolores Huerta Street Renaming Project, the EEL committee of Democratic Women, and the Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee. For SBWPC she served on the L&A committee, the ERA committee, the E&A committee and several Candidate Assessment Teams.

She has 2 amazing sons and an equally impressive little grandson.

Vicki Allen | Board Member

"I am a native of Chicago and have lived in Santa Barbara for 32 years. I graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in journalism. I was a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette4the first woman in that newspaper's history to be assigned a city beat. I was a writer and editor for several California newspapers, was a partner in a public relations firm, coordinated publicity for the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, did magazine travel writing, and volunteered for the PTA and other

local organizations.

I am on the board of the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara. I was data entry coordinator for the county 2008 Obama campaign and have been involved in several local political campaigns. I hope to see more women involved in politics and am a strong supporter of SBWPC's issues and goals."

Elsa Granados | Board Member

Elsa Granados joined the Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee Board in 1999. As a board member, she has served as a member of the executive committee in the capacity of Vice President of Policy, Vice President of Organization and Secretary. She has also served as the Chair of the Elections and Appointments and the Outreach Committees. She also participated on the Fund Development, Candidate Development and Membership Committees. Ms. Granados has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Public Administration.

For the past 19 years, Ms. Granados has served as the Executive Director of Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center. She has been a member of the board of directors of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), and of the Fund for Santa Barbara.

In addition, she served on the Santa Barbara County Affirmative Action Commission. Elsa was the 1st recipient of the SBWPC Oak Award in 2023.

Karena Jew | Board Member

Karena is a graduate of UCSB and the Santa Barbara College of Law. She sees her service on the SBWPC Board as complementary to her other community work on SB Women's March, the Board of Zona Seca and the Asian American History Committee of the SB Trust for Historic Preservation. She was a member of the District Elections Committee that successfully advocated for district-based elections for Santa Barbara City Council. She is trained as a mediator and has been a long-time advocate for restorative justice, bringing speakers and training to the Santa Barbara Courts, School Districts, and UCSB. She was also involved in creating an elective course in Restorative Justice at the Colleges of Law.

A former employee of PUEBLO (now CAUSE), she edited the Immigration Committee's participatory oral history project, In the Shadows of Paradise: Testimonies from the Undocumented Immigrant Community in Santa Barbara. Karena formerly worked with Babatunde Folayemi at the Pro-Youth Coalition Community Initiative to Reduce and Prevent Gang Violence, and has been involved with other youth work, including Primo Boxing, Say Yes to Kids Program and City at Peace. Karena was appointed to serve on the City of Santa Barbara Community Development and Human Services Committee for over a decade.

Sandy Kievman | Board Member

Sandy Kievman retired after thirty years of working for Los Angeles City Council and the City Attorney of the City of Los Angeles. Although her jobs had different titles, her role in each job involved community relations, helping to solve problems by building coalitions of residents, nonprofit organizations, service clubs, local businesses and City and County organizations, for the purpose of collaborating in finding solutions to community problems.

Sandy founded and chaired two organizations, Keep Youth Doing Something (KYDS), a successful program aimed at keeping underserved youth from being involved in gangs and also the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs, a community based policing program, consisting of 52 organizations, aimed at breaking down barriers between police and at-risk youth.

Upon retiring, Sandy moved to Santa Barbara and volunteered in the Mayor's office; is on the Community Relations Committee for Jewish Federation; and is a Member of the Board of Santa Barbara Gray Panthers. She served on the Board of the Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee for several years and has been a member of the E&A Committee for close to seven years.

New Board Members

Els Andersen | New Board Member

Els Andersen was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Santa Barbara with her parents as a child of four, learning English as a second language before she started school. Her early experience spurred an interest in language and literacy and the story-telling of various cultures.

She is a writing and editing professional with a PhD in English and Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop.

She has taught writing and world literature at Berkeley, served as an editor for the University of Iowa press, and worked in the Bay Area as a journalist covering city hall, public utilities, the military, and environmental issues.

In 2009 she returned to Santa Barbara where she has served as V.P. of Democratic Women of SB County, and as chair of their Elections and Endorsements Committee.

Her interests include the role of literacy in the birth of democratic systems and the rising challenge posed by digital mass media today.

Lynn Carter | New Board Member

Lynn Carter is a PhD-trained political scientist who worked for 40 years in international development, with an emphasis on enhancing opportunities and rights for women, mitigating the root and proximate causes of violent conflict and extremism, and strengthening democracy and governance. She served as senior vice president of an international development subsidiary of Tetra Tech for 10 years and before that headed democracy and governance programs. She has also worked for international NGOs and USAID.

Her work with women has included programming aimed at improving access to and quality of family planning services, economic empowerment, eliminating trafficking, reducing domestic violence, and supporting local advocacy for policy and legal changes. She has lived in the U.K., Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan and India and worked extensively in Morocco, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and elsewhere. While retired now, she continues as a Senior Fellow at the Washington, D.C.-headquartered Alliance for Peacebuilding, which supports local peacebuilders in conflict- and violence-affected countries and advocates for continued U.S. government engagement in international peacebuilding.

Lynn moved to Santa Barbara in 2023. She is pleased to be out of D.C. and is enjoying the great natural beauty and splendid climate (political and weather-wise) in Santa Barbara. She volunteers with the Santa Barbara Food Bank and through Trinity Episcopal Church.

Liz Owen | New Board Member

Elizabeth Owen is a longstanding member of the Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee. She has actively contributed to many SBWPC standing committees including Elections & Appointments (past co-chair), Fund Development/Event Planning, Media, and Legislation & Advocacy.

She returns to the SBWPC Board of Directors in 2026 having previously served on the Executive Board (1998-2004). Liz has also served as a local elected official (Hope School District Board of Trustees), was appointed by the Santa Barbara City Council to the City Arts Advisory Committee, and has been involved with a variety of non-profit boards throughout her life.

Liz grew up in Newark, New Jersey and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville before making Santa Barbara her home. She spent the majority of her professional career in senior management positions at Serbin Communications, an international publishing/marketing company based in Santa Barbara. More recently she was the Performing Arts Programming Manager for UCSB Arts & Lectures before retiring in 2025.

A supporter of Planned Parenthood ever since she was a college freshman and discovered her dorm room window had a clear view of the PP Clinic across the street, Liz now joyfully volunteers throughout the year for the Planned Parenthood Book Sale.

Executive Committee for 2026

Christina Pizarro | President

Christina has served in the public and non profit sectors for several years. Her true passion is social justice 3 women's equity, immigrant rights, marriage equality, gun safety, education parity for all students, health care for all, environmental justice, and further strengthening the community safety net.

Ms. Pizarro received her Bachelor's degree from University of California, Berkeley and earned a Master's in Public Administration and Public Policy from the University of Southern California's Sol Price School of Public Policy. She enjoys volunteering, taking lengthy trips abroad, interacting with people from all walks of life, and expanding her cultural competency.

Denise Ellis | Vice President of Organization

Before moving to beautiful Carpinteria in 2022, Denise (she/her) lived and worked 40 years in Chicago. She was passionate and active defending women's and immigrant rights, providing food and housing security, and access to healthcare for marginalized communities. Denise actively volunteered with Lesbian Community Cancer Project, Planned Parenthood, The Night Ministry, Centro Romero, and Howard Brown Health, the Midwest's largest health organization focused on the LGBTQ+ community. Having a 45 year career in hospitality, Denise was an instructor and on the Board of the Culinary School of Kendall College. For the last 18 "working years", she directed six restaurants north of Chicago at Lake Forest Place.

Since moving to Carpinteria, Denise volunteers with Carpinteria Sealwatch, Carpinteria Beautiful, and the Santa Barbara Foodbank, delivering food for seniors and teaching cooking classes to middle schoolers. In her spare time, Denise enjoys movies with SBIFF, gardening, birdwatching, cooking, sunsets and 52 weeks of farmers markets.

Politically, she worked to elect many women in Illinois and progressive aldermen and state representatives. Her passion to encourage and support women in leadership positions drew her to SBWPC.

Karena Jew | Vice President of Policy

Marisol Alarcon | Treasurer

Marisol Alarcon is an immigration attorney located in Carpinteria. She is a dual citizen of the United States and Chile. She was born in the United States to immigrant parents, so she understands the unique challenges of growing up with parents whose first language is not English.

She believes in contributing to the community and is currently a board member of the Latina Professional Alliance, Santa Barbara County Bar Foundation and Teen Legal Clinic. In the past, she has served as President of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and has been a board member of the Carpinteria Children's Project and Family Service Agency. She is also a member of the Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle, which was inaugurated in 2019.

Lisa Guravitz | Secretary

Lisa has served on the SBWPC board for 23 years in a variety of positions, including President. As a lifelong feminist, Lisa loves working with such a dynamic, diverse group of women. Lisa has served on the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Board and as President of her Homeowner's Assoc. Board. She has been a mentor and campaign manager for two Carpinteria City Councilwomen and strives to encourage women to find their seats at the table. Lisa was the 2024 recipient of the SBWPC Oak Award.

She volunteers with Carpinteria Seal Watch, Carpinteria Beautiful, and as a Medicare Counselor. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family as well as playing & teaching mah jongg.

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