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A legacy of feminist political leadership

Since 1987, the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee has brought women together to build political power, advance equality and create pathways into public leadership throughout Santa Barbara County

Explore the StoryLeadership Archive

Three women started a political network

Gayle Binion, Lois Phillips and Susan Rose began organizing in 1987 by calling people they believed would care about feminist political action in Santa Barbara

A reception for Betty Friedan

SBWPC’s first public event brought feminist author and National Organization for Women co-founder Betty Friedan to a reception at Zelo’s restaurant on State Street

That gathering established a tradition that still defines SBWPC: connecting people, ideas and political action in one room

“They each called people they thought might be interested, those people called other people, and Santa Barbara may never be the same again”

The women who set it in motion

The organization began through personal relationships, persistence and a shared belief that women needed greater political access, voice and power

Gayle Binion

UCSB political science professor and one of the organizers who helped establish SBWPC

Lois Phillips

Antioch College Associate Dean and a central voice in the organization’s founding

Susan Rose

Then Executive Director of the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women

From organizing to enduring civic influence

SBWPC’s history reflects a continuing expansion of political education, candidate development, electoral participation and public advocacy

  1. Organizing begins

    1987

    A founding network forms through relationships and collective action

  2. Betty Friedan comes to Santa Barbara

    First Event

    The first public gathering connects local feminist leadership to a national movement

  3. National voices join the conversation

    Public Leadership

    SBWPC brings leading feminist, civic and political figures to Santa Barbara

  4. Candidate assessment becomes core work

    Elections

    The organization develops a lasting role in evaluating and supporting candidates who share its feminist values

  5. Policy work expands

    Advocacy

    Reproductive rights, equal pay, child care, civil rights and equity remain central areas of engagement

  6. Access · Voice · Power continues

    Today

    Candidate development, public programs, election work and advocacy continue across Santa Barbara County

Leadership brought to Santa Barbara

Over the decades, SBWPC has convened nationally significant leaders whose work helped shape public life, feminist policy and civic participation

Conversation has always been part of the work

Bringing leaders into direct conversation with members and the community has remained one of SBWPC’s most enduring ways to educate, connect and inspire action

Betty Friedan

National Organization for Women co-founder and guest at SBWPC’s first event

Barbara Boxer

Joined SBWPC in celebrating women’s political leadership and civic participation

Sarah Weddington

Successfully argued Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court at age 26

Lois Capps

One of many influential public leaders welcomed by SBWPC over the decades

Explore the people who shaped SBWPC

SBWPC Presidents

  • Gayle Binion1988–1989
  • Barbara Lindemann1990
  • Lois Phillips1991
  • Susan Rose1992–1993
  • Carol Piceno1994
  • Hannah-Beth Jackson1995–1996
  • Margaret Connell1997–1998
  • Helene Schneider1999–2000
  • Alissa Hummer2001
  • Janet Barron2002–2003
  • Sharon Hoshida2004–2005
  • Lisa Guravitz2006–2007
  • Mary O’Gorman2008
  • Beth Schneider2009–2011
  • Jane Gray2012–2013
  • Carol Keator2014–2015
  • Catherine Swysen2016–2018
  • Luz Reyes-Martin2019–2021
  • Catherine Swysen2022
  • Paula Lopez2023–2024
  • Elsa Granados and Lisa Guravitz2025–2026
  • Christina Pizarro2026–Present · Current president

Past Keynote Speakers

  • Barbara BoxerU.S. Senator, California
  • Kathleen BrownCalifornia State Treasurer
  • Delaine EastinCalifornia State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Maria EchavesteWhite House Deputy Chief of Staff for President Clinton
  • Anna EshooU.S. Representative from San Mateo
  • Dianne FeinsteinU.S. Senator, California
  • Betty FriedanCo-founder, National Organization for Women
  • Jackie GoldbergMember of the California State Assembly
  • Aileen HernandezUnion organizer and civil rights activist
  • Dolores HuertaLabor leader and civil rights activist
  • Kathryn JoostenActor, NBC’s The West Wing
  • Sonali KolhatkarCo-director, Afghan Women’s Mission
  • Sheila James KuehlMember of the California State Assembly
  • Stephanie MillerProgressive talk radio host
  • Patt MorrisonLos Angeles Times columnist
  • Angela OhAttorney and member of the President’s Initiative on Race
  • Jackie SpeierU.S. Representative from San Francisco
  • Neera TandenHealth reform adviser, Obama administration
  • Sarah WeddingtonAttorney who successfully argued Roe v. Wade
  • Jennifer GranholmGovernor
  • Malia CohenCalifornia State Controller

History is still being written

SBWPC’s legacy is not only the record of who came before but the continuing work of educating voters, preparing leaders, advocating for equitable policy and creating opportunities for feminist civic participation

  • Political education
  • Candidate development
  • Public advocacy
  • Community action