ABOUT US
History
Gayle Binion,
Co-Founder & First SBWPC President
Co-Founder & First SBWPC President
The SBWPC was organized in October of 1987 by UCSB political science professor Gayle Binion, Antioch College Associate Dean Lois Phillips and Susan Rose, then Executive Director of the L.A. City Commission on the Status of Women.
As the News-Press reported, “They each called people they thought might be interested, those people called other people, and Santa Barbara may never be the same again.”
Starting with a bang, the SBWPC’s first event was a reception for feminist icon and National Organization for Women co-founder, Betty Friedan, held at Zelo’s restaurant on State Street.
As the News-Press reported, “They each called people they thought might be interested, those people called other people, and Santa Barbara may never be the same again.”
Starting with a bang, the SBWPC’s first event was a reception for feminist icon and National Organization for Women co-founder, Betty Friedan, held at Zelo’s restaurant on State Street.
The following years have seen equally impressive guests including U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer who helped celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage at the Santa Barbara Courthouse…Sarah Weddington, the attorney who at age 26 successfully argued Roe v Wade in the Supreme Court… and our very popular U.S. Congresswoman, Lois Capps, who has spoken at several SBWPC events.
Throughout our history, our committee has helped scores of feminist candidates win city council seats, mayoral races, and become members of the state assembly, congress and the senate. We have campaigned against policies aimed at dismantling reproductive rights and welfare. And we’ve promoted issues ranging from Latino and gay rights to child care and equal pay.
Throughout our history, our committee has helped scores of feminist candidates win city council seats, mayoral races, and become members of the state assembly, congress and the senate. We have campaigned against policies aimed at dismantling reproductive rights and welfare. And we’ve promoted issues ranging from Latino and gay rights to child care and equal pay.
Naomi Schwartz,
Roses Award 2005
Past SBWPC Presidents
- Gayle Binion, 1988-1989
- Barbara Lindemann, 1990
- Lois Phillips, 1991
- Susan Rose, 1992-1993
- Carol Piceno, 1994
- Hannah-Beth Jackson,
1995-1996 - Margaret Connell, 1997-1998
- Helene Schneider,1999-2000
- Alissa Hummer, 2001
- Janet Barron, 2002-2003
- Sharon Hoshida, 2004-2005
- Lisa Guravitz, 2006-2007
- Mary O’Gorman, 2008
- Beth Schneider, 2009-2011
- Jane Gray, 2012-2013
- Carol Keator, 2014-2015
- Catherine Swysen,2016-2018
- Luz Reyes-Martin, 2019-2021
- Catherine Swysen, 2022
- Paula Lopez, 2023-2024
Previous Speakers at SBWPC Events
- Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator, California - Kathleen Brown
California State Treasurer - Delaine Eastin
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Maria Eschaveste
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for President Clinton - Anna Eshoo
U.S. Congresswoman from San Mateo - Diane Feinstein
U.S. Senator, California - Betty Friedan
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
Actress from NBC’s “West Wing” - Sonali Kolhatkar
Co-Director of the Afghan Women’s Mission - Sheila James Kuehl
Member of the California State Assembly - Stephanie Miller
Progressive Talk
Radio Show Host
- Patt Morrison
Los Angeles Times Columnist - Angela Oh
Attorney and member of the President’s Initiative on Race - Jackie Speier
U.S. Congresswoman from San Francisco - Neera Tanden
Health Reform Advisor for the Obama Administration - Sarah Weddington
Attorney who successfully argued Roe v Wade - Governor Jennifer Granholm
