Guest Speakers invited to the 2020’s League of Women Voters Bay Area League Day, held on Saturday, Feb. 29, were more diverse than in past years, as elected officials, civil servants and distinguished community leaders from many different backgrounds – including immigrant, Spanish-speaking, African American and Asian American backgrounds, spoke to those in attendance

Leaguers were welcomed by Sister Rose Marie Hennessy, of the Dominican Order, Administrator of the beautiful Dominican Center in Fremont where the meeting was held.

Most of the speakers were women and people of color who spoke about overcoming many challenges and struggles in their lives, communities and careers. They persevered with determination, continuous self-improvement and education and made their way to become community and civic leaders–despite the barriers they faced as women, as Blacks, as immigrants, or as part of the Latinx community.

Susie and Steve Swatt, authors of “Paving the Way—Women’s Struggle for Political Equality,” gave a history of how women won the vote in California in 1911 and nationally in 1920, and how they have advanced in elected positions over the last 100 years. As an example, California Senate leaders of both parties are now women: President pro Tempore of the Senate Toni Atkins, and Minority Leader Shannon Grove.

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Otis Bruce, Jr., a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Marin County, discussed the essential role of prosecutors in our social and restorative justice systems. He pointed out that it’s important that the attorneys, who are prosecutors, represent diverse cultures, genders, backgrounds and experiences. Prosecutorial decisions can and do impact entire families and communities on many levels, making those who are involved in making those decisions very important.

In California, ethnic minority attorneys represent approximately 7% Latinx, 13% Asian and 4% African American, Bruce said. The percentage of ethnic minorities and women among prosecutors are much less across the state.

Prosecutors may make decisions that help to set the course for fairness and justice for all people, Their decisions will affect victims and the accused whose lives are impacted by the criminal justice system, or who stands to get a break in the social justice system and be restored to lead a productive life in our communities.

Sister Elaine Marie Sanchez of the Sisters of the Holy Family, who works in poor communities of Spanish speaking and Black families, spoke movingly about human trafficking for sex or labor. She pointed out that labor trafficking has a higher concentration than sex trafficking, and went on to say that trafficking does not exist in isolation, that it is a result of extreme inequality, and affects people who are “considered disposable commodities.”

For a look at the meeting program: http://lwvbayarea.org

For more information, contact Veda Lopez, Communications Director – League of Women Voters of Bay Area, at (415) 299-0035 or go to lwvbayarea@gmail.com

Veda Florez and Nancy Bick

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