‘Representative Government’ requires electing smart women

A letter to the editor

By: Rachel Kippen

More than half of Santa Cruz County's population identifies as women. Santa Cruz celebrated its first female supervisor in 1930. However, we have not had one woman on our Board since Ellen Pirie's term concluded in 2012 nearly a decade ago. That’s embarrassing.

There are 99 other impressive reasons why I've endorsed Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson for Third District Supervisor that are just as important as her gender identity, yes indeed. Yet, as a woman in a County and country that is increasingly impossible for women, I happen to think this reason really matters.

Research shows that when we support smart, hard working women, we all prosper; workplaces become more collaborative, accountable, and embracing of diverse perspectives. We don’t just replace figureheads, we change the status quo. Shebreh is the leader we need, now more than ever. Join me in getting her the seat she's earned.