Our History
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.
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.
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[/one_second][one_second]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
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
[/one_second][one_second]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