Our History

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 Story

How It Began

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

The First Gathering

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 Founders

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

Co-Founder

Gayle Binion

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

Co-Founder

Lois Phillips

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

Co-Founder

Susan Rose

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

Milestones

From organizing to enduring civic influence

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

1987

Organizing begins

A founding network forms through relationships and collective action

First Event

Betty Friedan comes to Santa Barbara

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

Public Leadership

National voices join the conversation

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

Elections

Candidate assessment becomes core work

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

Advocacy

Policy work expands

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

Today

Access · Voice · Power continues

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

Distinguished Voices

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

A Long Tradition

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

Feminist Author & Organizer

Betty Friedan

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

United States Senator

Barbara Boxer

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

Attorney

Sarah Weddington

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

United States Representative

Lois Capps

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

Institutional Archive

Explore the people who shaped SBWPC

Open the full leadership and speaker archives without turning the main History page into a directory

The Continuing Legacy

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