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Run Women Run's Events

A First Year of Great Impact for Run Women Run

Run Women Run started out making significant impact on San Diego's political scene and the impact lasted throughout our first year:

• A Candidates' Forum in October 2008 featured seven women in hotly contested local races. Each described her position on the issues important in her race, and answered questions. A few weeks later, each participant won her race.
• The March program, The Landscape: California Women in Public Office, featured former State Senator Dede Alpert, long-time political leader Midge Costanza, Del Mar Mayor Crystal Crawford, Assembly Member Mary Salas, and former Congresswoman Lynn Schenk. They spoke about the history of women in government, the practicalities, the successes and "the dirt." The program was significant enough to be taped for UCSD-TV and aired several times.
• In June, Laura Liswood, co-founder of the Council on Women World Leaders, talked about closing the gender gap in business and politics. Liswood spoke candidly about the challenges women world leaders face and their assent to power.
• And in July, California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass participated in an informal, intimate Q&A with RWR in which our members were provided the opportunity to ask direct questions to Madame Speaker about the state's challenges.
• In October, RWR co-sponsored a Political Boot Camp with the Lawyers Club and the San Diego County Bar Association, which provided information on the facets of running for political office from campaign fundraising to honing your message. And the Advisory Board met to celebrate accomplishments in 2009 and to hone RWR's goals for 2010.
• In November we hosted an opportunity to meet and talk with Assembly Member Janice Hahn, who is the only woman running for Lieutenant Governor of California. If elected, she would be the first woman to hold the position.
• In December, Run Women Run celebrated its one-year anniversary at an intimate and exclusive opportunity to socialize and network with San Diego's elected officials and one another.

Founding president Barbara Bry

"In our first year, I hope that Run Women Run members have gained a deeper understanding of the political process and what it takes to run a successful campaign," said Barbara Bry, founding president of Run Women Run. "In addition, I hope that they have a deeper commitment to participate in the political process and in helping pro-choice women candidates get elected in San Diego."

In Year Two, Run Women Run will focus on endorsing candidates, participating in campaigns as individuals and making contributions. We are a state political action committee and are able to contribute in state races such as assembly and state senate and a few local races.

President Michelle Burton

Michelle Burton, president of Run Women Run, explained: "We spent the past year building a foundation and some recognition, so RWR is well-positioned to make a difference in the upcoming mid-term elections. 2010, is an important election year and we plan to endorse and make financial contributions to progressive, pro-choice women candidates."