Experiences with Gender Discrimination in Politics May 6, 2008

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2008/03/11/Does_Gender_Matter_Are_Women_Leaders_Different

Former San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez discusses her experiences with gender discrimination in politics.

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Four women who have either held elected office, studied women and leadership, worked as executive leaders or helped get women elected will discuss how gender plays out in politics, particularly in the presidential race.

The panel features former San Jose City Councilwoman Cindy Chavez; business executive and political fund-raiser Lorraine Hariton; Morgan Family Foundation President and former California Senator Rebecca Q. Morgan; and Stanford Law Professor and Ethics Center Director Deborah L. Rhode.

Panelists will explore such topics as whether the playbook is different for male and female politicians, why women are underrepresented in leadership positions and how the role of women in politics has evolved in the United States. Panelists also will respond to audience questions.

Foothill College History/Women's Studies Instructor Dolores Davison, M.A., who also serves as the Academic Senate president and Curriculum Committee chair, will moderate the discussion. The program is co-sponsored by the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley - Foothill College

Cindy Chavez served as Vice Mayor of the City of San Jose. While a member of the San Jose City Council, she represented Council District Three (which includes the downtown area) on the San Jose City Council. Chavez was first elected to the Council in 1998 and re-elected in 2002.

In 2005, she was chosen by the San Jose Mayor and confirmed by her colleagues on the City Council to serve as Vice Mayor. She is currently working as a lecturer teaching Local Politics at her alma mater San Jose State University.