Issues
They say, "...as goes San Francisco, there goes the nation." Even more so since the most powerful Democrat in the country, Speaker Pelosi, sits on the body of the San Francisco Democratic Party, at this critical time in our history. We must demonstrate party unity, and support the Democrats working to save our democracy, nationally, and locally.
Democrats have long led movements to end poverty, and other injustices, and here in San Francisco, we must lead on implementing solutions at home, that can set nationwide trends.
Homelessness
Homelessness, is a humanitarian crisis and we have a moral duty to solve this. We know it is much more cost effective to house folks, and to provide care and treatment for those who also need intensive services, than it is to let them suffer on our streets. We need to be bold, creative, and nimble to solve this. Almost three hundred homeless residents died on our streets last year, this is unacceptable. Everyday I walk from my home in the Fillmore, to my job in SOMA, and I see how much suffering there is. Then in my job, nearly all of my clients are homeless, or housing insecure. I will advocate for a Navigation Center in my district, and we need more throughout San Francisco. We have to stop letting the "perfect be the enemy of the good," and explore all options!
Affordable housing
Affordable housing, we need affordable housing for everyone from those on public assistance, to people with "good jobs," but who still cannot afford to pay market rate for housing. There are affordable housing models that we have yet to attempt, that could very well solve this national crisis. I will elevate these into the conversation on housing.
Immigration REFORM
I support DACA recipients, and all undocumented immigrants having a path to naturalization. We need to change the policies so that immigrants are able to participate fully in the Democratic Party. One of the highlights of serving on the DCCC was voting for a DACA recipient to be a member. I have long advocated for immigrant rights, and used my vote to support candidates, and policies that are in accordance with my beliefs. I firmly believe that those fleeing oppression, or extreme violence, should be welcomed to the U.S. like the asylees that they are. My great-grandparents all immigrated to the U.S. due to persecution. At my job, I met clients who were U or T Visa holders, and they had suffered horrible atrocities. We owe them compassion and dignity. As a grandmother, I am beyond appalled by the cruel and lethal immigration policies being devised. Now they're targeting Iranian Americans for more bigoted and discriminatory treatment. We have to unite to denounce this. We have to close the camps at the border, and end family separation. The Democratic Party will have to become more of a force for change on this.
Racial inequity
Racial inequity in San Francisco, from the criminal justice system, to housing, to employment, to health care, is not what we stand for as a party. We now have an Office of Racial Equity which gives us a new resource to address this. When the San Francisco Black population is three percent, but our jail population is over fifty percent Black, we know there is systemic discrimination that needs to be dismantled. The Black unemployment rate is disproportionately high. I will focus in on ending the disparities for Blacks, Latinos, and all affected by racial inequities as a DCCC member, and a community ally.
Why I’m running…
After having the honor of being appointed to Mayor London Breed's seat on the DCCC, and having the privilege of representing the people of San Francisco, and beyond, I decided to run as a candidate so that I can continue to serve the community as your voice. I have long participated in the DCCC as a member of the public, and that will always motivate me to remain authentic, and accountable.
I was born in Chicago, and lived in Baltimore, and Washington, DC, before moving to San Francisco at the age of ten. When my mother moved here with my brother and I, she was a young lesbian, single mom, who moved to San Francisco to live her life in a community that would be more accepting. Our first home was in Noe Valley, something almost unimaginable now for a single mom with today's cost of living. She was an activist, and raised us to fight for civil rights, peace, and social justice, which really shaped how I view the world. I graduated from Opportunity II High. In my senior year, I lost dozens of classmates in the Jonestown tragedy, which was a pivotal life experience, and has never left me. During my teen years we also lived in Bernal Heights, the Mission, and the Lower Haight, before settling in the Fillmore, where my mom and I still live to this day.
I raised my three children in the Fillmore, as a former long time welfare mom. I always had part time jobs, and finally went from "welfare-to-work" personally, and eventually, started working in social services myself, where I was once a client. My children and I are all SFUSD alum. I earned my Bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco late in life, and now work coordinating employment services for San Francisco youth.
I have always been active in different movements for social justice. From advocating for peace, to fighting racism, to immigrant rights, to ending the street violence that has claimed so many young lives in our City, to labor. I have been an SEIU member for eighteen years, and am currently a steward, regularly assisting my coworkers.
On the DCCC, I plan to advocate for these issues, and to support candidates, and legislation that will benefit the most vulnerable among us, and to work hard to win back the White House in 2020.
