Letter Published in the SF Chronicle on March 16, 2018

Dear Editor,

It is heartening that so many more women are running for public office than in years past. However, if we are serious about ensuring that all parts of our community are represented in public office, we cannot stand by the sidelines. To better our communities, we need to roll up our sleeves and assist women to run for office or seek appointive positions.

A new nonpartisan organization called WIRE for Women is mobilizing a cadre of women and men to recruit and elect females to city councils and school boards as well as county boards and special districts in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. We also encourage women to seek appointments to local commissions and task forces. Through WIRE for Women, your neighbors are utilizing their diverse skills to provide free campaign assistance to female candidates.

Please get involved and encourage women in your circle to seek appointment to local commissions and to run for office. This type of personal outreach is important because women usually do not decide to run on their own – they need to be recruited.

Allene Zanger,

Half Moon Bay

Allene served on WIRE's board and as President from 2017-2019

SF Chronicle Opinion link here.