Gayle Binion
UCSB political science professor and one of the organizers who helped establish SBWPC.
Co-FounderOur History
Nearly four decadesof feminist political power.
From three founders and a Betty Friedan reception to decades of electoral action, advocacy and feminist leadership, SBWPC has helped shape public life in Santa Barbara County since 1987.
1987Year organized
21Past keynote speakers
22Presidential terms documented
The Founders
It began with three women.
In October 1987, three feminist leaders used relationships, persistence and collective action to bring Santa Barbara's political community together.
Lois Phillips
Antioch College Associate Dean and a central voice in the organization's founding.
Co-FounderSusan Rose
Then Executive Director of the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women.
Co-Founder
The First Gathering
A reception for Betty Friedan.
SBWPC's first event was a reception for feminist icon and National Organization for Women co-founder Betty Friedan at Zelo's restaurant on State Street.
That gathering established a tradition that continues today: bringing influential leaders to Santa Barbara while creating space for political education, connection and action.
The Story
How it began - and what followed.
Open each milestone to explore the organization's evolving impact.
1987Organized through relationships and collective action+
Gayle Binion, Lois Phillips and Susan Rose called people they believed would be interested. Those people called others, creating the network that became SBWPC.
First EventA reception for Betty Friedan+
The organization began publicly with a gathering that connected local feminist political leadership to a major national voice.
Public LeadershipNational voices came to Santa Barbara+
Guests over the years included U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, attorney Sarah Weddington, Congresswoman Lois Capps and many other influential public leaders.
Electoral ActionHelping feminist candidates win+
Across its history, SBWPC has helped scores of feminist candidates win city council and mayoral races and serve in the California Legislature, Congress and the U.S. Senate.
Rights & PolicyDefending equality through advocacy+
SBWPC has opposed attacks on reproductive rights and social supports while advancing Latino rights, LGBTQ+ rights, child care, equal pay and policies central to feminist equity.
TodayAccess. Voice. Power.+
SBWPC continues to develop candidates, evaluate elections, advocate on policy, convene community leaders and create pathways for feminist participation throughout Santa Barbara County.
Distinguished Voices
Leadership brought to Santa Barbara.
SBWPC has a long tradition of convening nationally significant feminist, civic and political voices.
Betty Friedan
National Organization for Women co-founder and guest at SBWPC's first event.
Barbara Boxer
Helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of women's suffrage at the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
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.
Complete Speaker Archive
Every documented keynote voice.
The full record of national, state and civic leaders who have addressed SBWPC audiences over the decades.
21Speakers
View all past keynote speakers
Open the complete institutional archive.
Open the complete institutional archive.
Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator, California
Kathleen Brown
California State Treasurer
Delaine Eastin
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Maria Echaveste
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for President Clinton
Anna Eshoo
U.S. Representative from San Mateo
Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senator, California
Betty Friedan
Co-founder, National Organization for Women
Jackie Goldberg
Member of the California State Assembly
Aileen Hernandez
Union organizer and civil rights activist
Dolores Huerta
Labor leader and civil rights activist
Kathryn Joosten
Actor, NBC's The West Wing
Sonali Kolhatkar
Co-director, Afghan Women's Mission
Sheila James Kuehl
Member of the California State Assembly
Stephanie Miller
Progressive talk radio host
Patt Morrison
Los Angeles Times columnist
Angela Oh
Attorney and member of the President's Initiative on Race
Jackie Speier
U.S. Representative from San Francisco
Neera Tanden
Health reform adviser, Obama administration
Sarah Weddington
Attorney who successfully argued Roe v. Wade
Jennifer Granholm
Governor
Malia Cohen
California State Controller
Leadership Through the Years
Every documented SBWPC presidency.
The complete leadership record from the organization's first president through the current term.
22Leadership entries
View all SBWPC presidents
Open the complete leadership archive.
Open the complete leadership archive.
Gayle Binion
Barbara Lindemann
Lois Phillips
Susan Rose
Carol Piceno
Hannah-Beth Jackson
Margaret Connell
Helene Schneider
Alissa Hummer
Janet Barron
Sharon Hoshida
Lisa Guravitz
Mary O'Gorman
Beth Schneider
Jane Gray
Carol Keator
Catherine Swysen
Luz Reyes-Martin
Catherine Swysen
Paula Lopez
Elsa Granados and Lisa Guravitz
Christina Pizarro
Current presidentThe Continuing Legacy
History is still being written.
SBWPC's legacy is not only the record of who came before. It is the continuing work of educating voters, preparing candidates, advocating for equitable policy and creating opportunities for feminist leadership.
01Political education
02Candidate development
03Public advocacy
04Community action
The next chapter starts with you.
Help carry SBWPC's history forward by contributing your voice, skills and leadership to feminist political action in Santa Barbara County.