Global Warming has many Facets.

One not discussed often enough is the economics of climate change. Ever forward-thinking, the League of Women Voters – San Francisco invited California Public Utilities Commissioner Nancy E. Ryan to discuss an economist’s point of view of the state of climate change. A roomful of rapt listeners took in Commissioner Ryan’s remarks on May 19, 2010, at the Mechanics Institute Building.

Commissioner Ryan’s credentials on the subject are impeccable: Commissioner Ryan was Senior Economist and Deputy California Director at the Environmental Defense Fund. She has also worked as a consultant in energy, and for many years taught applied economics at UC Berkeley’s Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy. In Commissioner Ryan’s current appointment, she is the lead Commissioner on proceedings developing policies for the smart grid and alternative fueled vehicles. Commissioner Ryan also plays a leading role in shaping California’s efforts to develop renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the electric sector.

The League was honored that Commissioner Ryan agreed to appear in the first of the League’s series of events celebrating the centennial of suffrage for California women. Watch www.lwvsf.org for more celebratory events to come.  

Thank You To All Who Participated in the 2010 Women Who Could be President Gala!

The San Francisco League proudly recognized five amazing Women Who Could Be President at its annual gala on February 11, 2010. President Karen Clopton welcomed a ballroom-full of League members and friends gathered to applaud the League’s 2010 honorees for their many contributions to the community.

San Francisco League Program Vice President and Gala Chair Chandra Friese recounted the League’s storied history, and ticked off a long list of the San Francisco League’s current priorities and actions.

The gala spotlight rightly shone brightly on the exceptional honorees introduced by Cheryl Jennings, news anchor of ABC7 News at 5:00 and long-time League supporter:

• Lynn Bunim, Executive Director, External Affairs, AT&T
• Yolanda Jackson, Deputy Executive Director and Diversity Director, Bar Association of San Francisco
• Pamela Joyner, Managing Partner and Founder of Avid partners, LLC
• Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Anne Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of the Bay Area

Annual Program Planning Meeting – January 23, 2010

The Annual Program Planning meeting of the League was held on January 23, 2010. Marilyn Campbell introduced Nikki Harris, the Membership Manager for Northern California Leagues who led the discussion. She explained that this year the group would go over the National positions and Bay Area League positions. Next year the S.F. League will review the State positions.

The group of about thirty members reviewed each of the positions. Each of the local Leagues can recommend to National one topic they would like to put forth as a priority for the coming year. After some discussion, the group recommended the topic of Education. This suggestion will be forwarded to the National League office for consideration at the Annual Convention in May.

See the archive for more activites from the San Francisco League of Women Voters>