Day 1: New Year

Wow, today I woke up and it's the first day of my 50th year! Still reeling from the past week and all the birthday celebrations!

The festivities kicked off with the NWPC 50 for 50 event! If you missed this exciting evening, then it was your loss.

Pictured here are two of my most favorite women! Eka Ninuea, me, and Rebecca Sanchez. These ladies are not only big time gal pals, and business owners of Salon Dione, but they make sure my locks are always looking great!

I am so touched by all the accolades and words of accommodation from so many elected officials and community leaders. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, always a supporter of NWPC and of mentoring women to run for office, attended despite her challenging schedule as Secretary of State and as a candidate for US Congress.

She is a good friend to women and to ensuring that we have more women in office. If you live in her district, please support her for her bid for Congress.

My Assembly member Holly Mitchell attended and honored me with her generous words and I am proud to have supported her.

West Hollywood City Councilwoman Abbe Land, one of my favorite women leaders, attended and shared such an adorable tribute to me! It was precious, and so is she.

Former NWPC-California President Celeste Weingardt drove all the way from Ventura County to be with me tonight and to shower me with love & support.

I felt very special and blessed tonight. And I feel as if my Birthday had purpose... By using my 50th Birthday to raise money for our Political Action Committee I am ensuring that we have the resources to support our endorsed women candidates. What a cool way to usher in the next 50 years!

Day 26 & 27: I Love Talking Women Politics!

This weekend I was invited to speak on a panel to discuss the challenges and experiences of running for public office. The event was hosted by the Ventura Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus and I was honored to be included. The theme centered around the differences in how women lead, the difficulties women confront when running for office and what can we do to invite more women into the political process. All worthy topics and issues that are near & dear to my heart. Pictured above from left to right are Susan Rose, one of the panelist, Marie Lakin, President of the Ventura NWPC Chapter, Me, and my ever faithful Rebecca Simon, my former campaign manager.

I was very disappointed when I lost my campaign for City Council last year. I refer to my campaign as the longest job interview I've ever had. Can you imagine applying for a job for 18 months, enduring 26 interviews in front of thousands of people and then being rejected! Ouch... can you see why that would sting. But this weekend I was alive again as I sat in front of an educated and active group of people who share my passion for seeing more women in office. I realized that my commitment to this cause has never wavered despite my individual set back.

I shared the panel with two remarkable and accomplished women. Carmen Ramirez seated center in the photo to the left who is a candidate for the Oxnard City Council and Susan Rose, former Santa Barbara County Board Supervisor. Both women have a lengthy resume of work they have performed on behalf of the environment, women and families and their communities.

In addition to speaking passionately about women and politics it was also an afternoon to see friends who were dedicated supporters during my campaign. Pictured to the right is Terry Gibson, who faithfully gave and sent her love throughout my race. And pictured with me below to the left is Celeste Weingardt, former State President of NWPC-CA and a champion for women running. I was honored to serve as the NWPC State VP of Communications during Celeste's tenure and was always in awe of her leadership. These women epitomize what NWPC is about - a commitment to electing qualified and pro choice women into office.

I am grateful for these women and the entire Ventura NWPC Caucus for their continued support of my political endeavors and for inviting me to join them at their annual signature event Politics, Tea, & Thee. I am grateful too for our shared belief that women can make a difference when elected to public office and that we can't rest until we reach our goal 50/50 by 2020! (50% representation by women, 50% by men by the year 2020)