An Established and Effective Advocate for Women

By Joe Simitian

- Prior to my service on the Palo Alto School Board, I spoke out publicly urging the Board to include, "non-job-related handicap, sexual orientation, political preference and marital status," in the District's non-discrimination policy. I was the only member of the active "school community" to speak out in favor of this position. Eventually the Board was persuaded to reverse its original position, and incorporate such language in the District's policy.

- As a two-term member (and two-time President) of the Palo Alto School Board I proposed the innovative City-School lease arrangement which now provides on-site child care at each of the district's eleven elementary schools.

As a member and Chairperson of the Santa Clara County Intergovernmental Council (IGC), I supported the creation of a standing IGC Child Care Committee. I served on that committee, and took part in the process leading to the publication of "What Cities Can Do to Facilitate Child Care" and "Child Care Options: A Guide for Employers in Santa Clara County".

- During my eight years as a member of the Palo Alto Unified School District's Board of Education I consistently and successfully led the effort to correct the under-representation of women in administrative positions.

When I arrived on the Board the District had never had a woman at the Assistant or Associate Superintendent level, never had a woman serving as a high school principal and had only one woman serving among our eleven elementary principals.

When I left the Board after two terms, both of our Associate Superintendent positions were filled by women, one of our two high school principals was a woman, and six of our eleven elementary school principals were women.

- Long before anyone had ever heard of Clarence Thomas or Anita Hill, I proposed and secured passage of a sexual harassment policy for the Palo Alto Unified School District -- the first such policy ever adopted in our district.

- As a member of the Palo Alto City Council I voted to hire the first woman in the City's 100 year history as City Manager.

- As a member of the Palo Alto City Council I repeatedly raised the issue of unacceptable gender disparity in the Fire Department (two women firefighters out of 104) and persuaded my Council colleagues to include in the 1994-95 budget goals and objectives increased outreach and affirmative action to increase the number of women and minority candidates hired as firefighters. The result: six of the next twelve firefighters hired were women, with additional improvement since.

- As Mayor I presided over the installation of the City's first female Fire Captain (and only the second in Santa Clara Country history) because I felt my presence made a statement about the significance of the event.

- As Mayor of Palo Alto I spoke to the Palo Alto Area Bar Association (filling in for Congresswoman Anna Eshoo) on the topic "The Role of Gender in Politics Today."

- As a candidate for County Supervisor in 1996 I was endorsed by NWPC and NOW, notwithstanding the fact that my opponent charcterized herself as a "moderate pro-choice Republican" woman.

- As a candidate for State Assembly in 2000 I have been endorsed by CARAL (California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) and DAWN (Democratic Activists for Women Now), and designated "Fully Pro-Choice" by Planned Parenthood.

- As a candidate for public office and as an elected official I have consistently included women in the top ranks of my staff. As a candidate for County Supervisor in 1996 I retained a woman-owned firm as my consultant (Staton- Hughes) and benefitted from the services of a top notch woman as Campaign Manager (Samantha Spielman).

A substantial majority of my staff as a County Supervisor has been comprised of women, including both individuals who have served as Chief of Staff.

- As County Supervisor a majority of my appointments to County Boards and Commissions have been women.

- I have successfully advocated as a Supervisor for increased OB-GYN services for women in my North County district.

- As an elected official and active participant in the political process I have made it a point to support qualified women for public office at every level, from school board and city council on up.