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The Fem Dems: Encouragement for politically motivated women

by Chandler Hotchkin, published on August 24, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Storyline: New Shopping Boutique

Community Tags democratic party fem dems feminism gov jerry brown local club political office politics sacramento state capitol womens issues

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The Fem Dems of Sacramento promote feminist values within the Democratic Party as well as the local community, approaching feminism within politics by encouraging others to get involved through volunteering and outreach.

Fem Dems President Kelly Rivas, General Counsel Officer Amber Maltbie and fellow member Hatzune Aguilar founded the organization in 2009 after working together for a local political law firm. Each had been involved in similar clubs in college, and after graduating and moving to Sacramento, they wanted to continue their efforts. Their drive to form a local Sacramento club led to the Fem Dems, for those who are active in politics or looking to be gain experience in politics.

The Fem Dems’ current treasurer, Alex Reagan, said the club has a wide appeal, as it offers opportunities for people who share Democratic values of all ages.

“It’s a little bit of a voice for people who are very involved in politics,” Reagan said of the broad age group involved, adding that there needs to be an effective way for people – especially young professionals – to be involved.

From the first meeting in March of 2009 where the original six members laid out their mission statement and principles, the club has grown to more than 30 members and caught the eyes of several political figures – including representatives of Gov. Jerry Brown.

A significant event for the Fem Dems took place earlier this year. They put together a day of boot camp training for women who are political candidates or have considered running for political office. It was a successful day full of panels and workshops, led by political professionals, followed by a reception.

“We got really great feedback on it,” Rivas said. “A lot of people were excited about it, heard about (it) after the fact, and wanted to participate in something just like it again.”

The boot camp included a lunch with Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa). There was a panel on new social media in campaigns featuring Roman Porter, the executive director of the Fair Political Practices Commission, and Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown. A panel on fundraising was also featured, and the panel speakers included Diana Rodriguez, a member of the Board of Directors of Sacramento City Unified School District.

This is the first year that boot camp took place, and the Fem Dems are looking to bring it back next year.

The Fem Dems take note of member concerns. Simental spoke of taking the time with members.

“There’s so much that women want to be involved in, and that’s often the challenge – letting them know that there’s value being part of our club,” she said. “We have been demonstrating the value, and that is indicative of the program that we put on.”

And not all those members are women. There is a subgroup of members within the Fem Dems that comprised of men. They call themselves the Fem Dudes. The Fem Dudes help recruit more men into the Fem Dems.

“We need men to be involved,” Simental said about the Fem Dudes. “We want to be inclusive.”

The Fem Dems hold their meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information on the Fem Dems of Sacramento, visit their website www.femdems.org. To visit the Fem Dems’ blog, go to http://feministdemocrats.blogspot.com/.

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jackalack

August 25, 2012 | 11:26 PM

The Fem Dems are pop-progressive in their approach to empowering womyn to be political, "pop" is almost always inherently "post" and thus creates a certain unease as "post-feminist" enters my head, which is problematic. Even more problematic is their use of "Fem Dudes" to demarcate and delineate male and female. As a self-identified feminist organization, I would expect a more social-constructionist approach to using language. If language shapes culture, then it is imperative to rethink their approach to demarcating members. The use of gendered language simultaneously reinforces gender performativity and the gender dichotomy.

Likewise, I feel that this article fails to critically approach the central issues that perhaps the Fem Dems are grappling with. I learned about their lukewarm attempt to empower womyn, which is perhaps not the reality of the situation. A more concise and articulate approach to reporting on their methodologies and grassroots effort(s) would frame them in a more progressive light.

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leaseaguest

August 27, 2012 | 10:48 AM

I wrote a big long ass paper at UCB about Women In Politics: Where We've Been, Where We Are, and Where We Are Headed. I never had any idea as many women would step up to the plate. And it's a good thing. As the last thirty years have shown, women are so much better at cleaning up the problems that affect us all. Well, not Bachmann and Palin, but ones that are truly aware of what the masses of women want and need for themselves and those they love. Women who think for themselves. Fems or Dems or Dudes... people that care about the governing process so that legislature can get passed which serves the public instead of themselves is key.

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Steven Maviglio

August 29, 2012 | 1:02 PM

Excellent. Help Obama get re-elected, Yes on 30, 39 and No on 31 and 32.

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jackalack

edited on August 29, 2012 | 1:54 PM

@leaseaguest, to say that "women are so much better at cleaning up the problems that affect us all.." is problematic in that it instills a sort of patriarchal essentialism that does not give credit to men. Patriarchy is not inherent simply because one is a natal male. "Patriarchy" is a form of reiterative discourse that has become intelligible and thus is automatically assumed to be an undeniable truth. Reiterative discourse such as "women are better...." interpellates individuals into a subjectivity that has been created for them (within a polarized dichotomy) instead of using a more progressive framework to empower individuals to strive for equality regardless of gender, race, sex, orientation and so forth.

Feminism is not so much about empowering womyn as it is about promoting equalism and I think that is often left by the wayside.

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Copiusmyo

September 14, 2012 | 1:20 PM

Presidents Elected Before 1920: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt.

Presidents after 1920: Nixon, Carter, GW Bush

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