Feb. 2010 Council Meeting, San Jose

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Recent Events

Rally for SB 810 (Leno), The Single Payer Bill, at the State Capitol, January 11, 2010

Listening to Leno/Kuehl

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OWL-CA Annual Council Meeting, October 2009, Burlingame, CA

Mercy Center

Kathie Piccagli, State Membership Chair

l Pearl Caldwel

Clare Smith, Nat'l Public Policy Liaison, and Shirley Harlan, SW Regional Rep. to National Board

Presenter Claire LaChance "Strategic Visionary and Action Planning for OWL"

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National Board Meeting, October 30, 2009, Washington, DC

OWL-CA was represented by our national representatives, Kathie Piccagli and Shirley Harlan, and chapter representatives Roberta Battle (Sacramento Capitol), Mary Lembke (Ohlone), and Jonee Levy (San Francisco).

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About OWL...

Founded in 1980, OWL is a nonprofit membership organization, the first and only national organization to focus solely on the concerns of midlife and older women as they age. Broadly speaking, its goals are to achieve economic and social equity for older women, to improve their image and status, and to provide for mutual support. Utilizing the expertise and experience of members through a network of chapters, OWL has become firmly established as a national voice for older women—a segment of the population that has long been unrepresented.

OWL was conceived by two California women, Tish Sommers and Laurie Shields, whose earlier work to eradicate the job inequities midlife women face helped to create the displaced homemakers movement. Their legacy continues in the work of OWL members of all ages and both sexes. Through research, education and advocacy activities, OWL chapters and at-large members throughout the United States address the economic, social and health problems women face as they become older.

OWL’s national, state, and local agendas—set by members—focus on a number of issues, such as: Quality and affordable health care for all, Social Security, Pensions, Job and Housing Discrimination, Family Caregivers, Budget Cuts, and Remaining in control of one’s life to the end. Education and advocacy take many forms, including consumer reports and brochures, newsletters, letters to and testimony before legislatures, media outreach, chapter meetings, and conferences and leadership training. OWL’s leaders mainly come from local chapters, whose members work on the national agenda, on state and local concerns, and on bringing women together for mutual support.

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OWL Agenda

Our work as grassroots advocates to improve the status and quality of life of midlife and older women, includes the following priorities:

HEALTH CARE

ECONOMIC SECURITY

QUALITY OF LIFE

PRIMARY GOALS OF Owl California