On March 19, the League of Women Voters honored four remarkable women at their annual “Women Who Shape Santa Monica” ceremony. Recognized for their significant contributions to the community, the awardees included Shari Davis, Ana Gioconda Jara, Carla Fantozzi, and Joanne Whitcomb Berlin.
The selection process for these distinguished women was conducted by the League’s board, with each recipient approved through a majority vote. They were presented with a Yellow Rose, a symbolic gesture harking back to the suffrage movement of the late 19th century, where supporters of women’s voting rights wore yellow roses and opponents wore red.
Since its inception in 1920, the League of Women Voters has been dedicated to advancing women’s rights and empowering voters. This nonpartisan organization has played a pivotal role in advocating for democracy for over a century, maintaining the belief that a well-informed electorate is essential for a thriving democratic society.
Founded by suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt, the League emerged from her vision articulated during a 1919 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Catt expressed the need for a united organization that would advocate for women’s rights and the protection of future legislation. The formal establishment of the League occurred on February 14, 1920, in Chicago, shortly before the ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18 of the same year, which granted women the right to vote.
In her original address, Catt stated: “The League of Women Voters is not to dissolve any present organization but to unite all existing organizations of women who believe in its principles. It is not to lure women from partisanship but to combine them in an effort for legislation which will protect coming movements…”
One of the award recipients, Shari Davis, serves as the co-director of the Santa Monica College (SMC) Public Policy Institute and teaches political science at SMC. Since the spring of 2013, she has been guiding students through an “Introduction to Public Policy” course. In her Teaching Philosophy/Equity Statement, she emphasizes her commitment to inspiring students to engage actively in their communities.
In 2023, Davis demonstrated her advocacy for education by assisting in the opening of SMC’s Malibu campus, and she has successfully secured approximately $40 million annually for public education initiatives. Her significant involvement in community organizations, such as The Children’s Partnership, further showcases her dedication. During her acceptance speech, she remarked, “Education is the great equalizer.”
The ceremony encapsulated a theme of unity, showcasing the League of Women Voters as an inclusive organization that welcomes diverse perspectives from all genders and political ideologies. Their mission remains focused on uniting communities to foster equitable public policies and encouraging active participation in civic life.
Davis highlighted the League’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “This is an organization for everyone. It informs them, gives them a chance to be active in their community.” This sentiment underscores the League’s goal of nurturing an engaged electorate capable of advocating for their rights and shaping democratic processes.
