Making a run for it

Women's Global Leadership Initiative is pleased to announce the upcoming RUN Forum on April 21. If you're interested in making a run for office, or you just want to cheer on prospective candidates, here's a preview of the event, courtesy of WGLI Marketing Head Nadja Masura:

While Sonoma County has developed a myriad of public endeavors for its residents, the most underserved and underrepresented local minorities still have little to no representation on the array of committees, boards and commissions in their communities today. To increase ethnic diversity and encourage a larger pool of female candidates, five local non-profits have partnered with the City of Santa Rosa to develop the RUN Forum on April 21 at Empire College. RUN participants will have a chance to voice their concerns, ask questions and learn how to apply for available seats from a panel of experienced community leaders.


The full-day event will also feature a number of notable speakers, including Santa Rosa Mayor Ernesto Olivares, 5th District Supervisor Efren Carrillo and Diana Ruiz, President and Founder of Women’s Global Leadership Initiative.



“People in office or on boards need to reflect the actual population,” Ruiz says. “The voices are simply not there, and we need them to know our community’s real concerns—safe neighborhoods, childcare, clean water and transportation.” By raising awareness through publicly accessible education and a supportive network for community advancement, RUN hopes to reverse what inhibits minorities most from being heard in Sonoma County today. Consider these shocking statistics:



·         No city in Sonoma County has an ethnic woman on its city council

·         There is only one woman serving on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

·         In influencing the county’s business operations, women’s voices make up an average of 21 percent on local corporations’ boards of directors

·         While women represent half of Sonoma County’s population, they make up only 20 percent of elected officials in city councils and an average of 34 percent on local boards and committees

·         While Latinos remain heavily underrepresented, the Hispanic community totaled nearly 25 percent of the county’s inhabitants in 2010, and according to the California Department of Finance is projected to become the ethnic majority by 2050

·         The lack of diversity on the Santa Rosa Charter Review Committee has prompted a Santa Rosa City Council investigation


There are all kinds of things that need to be run: marathons, households, businesses and, most important to us at WGLI, communities. Join us!


To generate enough genuine positive change for Sonoma County residents of every gender, race, age and creed, RUN and the important story behind it require the vital exposure of our local media outlets. We’d love to talk with any and all news providers, and also have WGLI’s volunteer editor, Michael Shufro, available to cover the story as a paid freelance assignment. To learn more about the Run Forum email Diana Ruiz at dianaruiz@wgli.org or call 707-481-4968, or email Wanda Tapia at wtapia@lationserviceproviders.org or call 707-953-8532.

Final countdown . . .

Don't forget to join WGLI this Thursday to honor Women's History Month! "Celebrating Her-Story" will be held at Santa Rosa Junior College in the Center for Student Leadership from 12-2 p.m. Enjoy poetry performances, guest speakers, and more!

Save the date

Come celebrate her-story! WGLI is hosting an event in honor of Women's History Month on March 15 from 12-2 p.m. at the SRJC Bertolini Student Center. Local poets have submitted their work, and several will be selected by Sonoma County Poet Laureate Gwynn O'Gara to perform that afternoon. Beat the afternoon slump and join us!

Only two days away!

Who: Dr. Linda Lea
What: WGLI lecture: "The Voice of Manifestation: Knowing and Fearlessly Speaking Your Truth"
When: Feb. 29, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Center for Student Leadership, Bertolini Center, SRJC
Why: Because you're interested in further defining your leadership values, and you'd like to meet people interested in doing the same thing. 


Mark your calendars and clear some space in your afternoon schedule! You won't want to miss this presentation by an education consultant who has helped people all over the world recognize and cultivate their leadership potential. Hope to see you on Wednesday . . .

Our Mission

www.wgli.org

Welcome to Voices of WGLI, the official blog of the Women’s Global Leadership Initiative. Our goal is to feature women in our community who are making a difference with their passionate, values-based leadership. Their stories awaken us to our own potential, and their voices are only the beginnings of a conversation about how women can support each other while pursuing their own personal and professional endeavors.
We want this to be a place where women make their voices heard, so don't hesitate to chime in with your thoughts and questions.
And, of course, we'll keep you up-to-date with WGLI events and lecture series you won't want to miss out on!
Happy reading!