San Francisco politics is like a ‘gladiator ring.’ These women fought their way to change America
Originally published by Defne Karabatur for the Los Angeles Times
San Francisco — infamous for its rugged hills, vibrant homes and appearances from Karl the Fog — has distinguished itself as one of the country’s most fertile launching pads for fierce female politicians.
Dianne Feinstein, a Bay Area native, was the country’s longest-serving female senator in history, before passing away at age 90 last year. She was the first woman to chair the Senate Rules Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence, and San Francisco’s first female mayor, stepping up in a period of mourning, after the assassination of then-Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official.
When Barabara Boxer entered the Senate with her friend Feinstein in 1993, California became the first state with two female senators.
Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to hold the position of Speaker of the House and worked alongside four presidents to help pass landmark legislation.
And now the national spotlight is on Kamala Harris. The current Vice President served as San Francisco’s first female district attorney and later, as California’s first female attorney general. If she becomes the nation’s first female president, it will be the greatest addition to San Francisco’s extensive resume of female firsts.
How has San Francisco equipped female politicians like Feinstein, Boxer, Pelosi and Harris to ascend from its cutthroat political sphere and become dexterous, powerful leaders across California and the country?