Women’s representation in elected office over the past several election cycles in California has either remained stagnant or decreased. In 2016, the number of women decreased in: the US House of Representatives (32%), the State Senate (22.5%), and the State Assembly (21.2%).

The number of women on County Boards of Supervisors increased slightly in 2016, but still only comes in at 25.6% of elected seats. 2017 needs to be the year we turn these statistics around! That’s why California Women Lead and the Orange County Legislative Task Force (OCLTF) have come together to help motivate and support the next generation of female politicians and public servants.

On Friday, April 28, the North Orange County Community College District and the three other Orange County community college districts will partner with California Women Lead to host a unique nonpartisan event designed as an open discussion of why women remain significantly under-represented in politics at all levels of government and what we can do about it.  The Women in Politics Symposium will take from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Fullerton Community Center at 340 West Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton 92832.

Fullerton College students are invited join their fellow college students from around Orange County and hear behind-the-scenes stories from elected and appointed female officials about how they got to where they are, and the different ways you can serve your community while building sisterhood. Continental breakfast and plated lunch will be served.

 Invited speakers include:

• Janet Napalitano, President, University of California
• Mona Pasquil, Appointment Secretary, Office of the Governor Loretta Sanchez, former member of Congress
• Fiona Ma, Member, State Board of Equalization
• Kris Murray, Councilmember, City of Anaheim
• Lisa Bartlett, Supervisor, County of Orange
• Sharon Quirk-Silva, California State Assemblywoman
• Janet Nguyen, California State Senator
• Leticia Clark, Councilmember, City of Tustin

This event is sponsored by the Orange County Legislative Task Force and California Women Lead. Questions? Please contact Kai Stearns Moore at kstearnsmoore@nocccd.edu or (714) 808-4829. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite  and join the conversation at www.facebook.com/candidateyouproject.