Political Responsibility through Informed and
Active Participation
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. |  | January Event with Dr. George Rutherford! COVID-19 Update: Are We Any Closer to The End?
Back by popular demand! Please join LWVP on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom or on our YouTube channel to hear the latest on Covid-19 from one of our favorite speakers: internationally renowned epidemiologist and Piedmont resident, Dr. George Rutherford. As we are all aware, Dr. Rutherford has been instrumental in helping the Bay Area contend with Covid and is quoted in the media almost daily.
He leads the Global Strategic Information group within UCSF’s Institute for Global Health Sciences. He is the Salvatore Pablo Lucia Professor of Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine, Pediatrics and History; Head of the Division of Infectious Disease and Global Epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in School of Medicine at UCSF and Professor of Epidemiology and Health Administration in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.
Educated at Stanford University and Duke University School of Medicine, he is board certified in pediatrics and in general preventive medicine and public health. He has worked extensively in public health, with an emphasis on the epidemiology and control of communicable diseases, both domestically and internationally and has held a number of positions in public health agencies, including having served as State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist for California, Director of the AIDS Office for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Director of Immunizations for the New York City Department of Health and an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at CDC.
Since last speaking with LWVP in May, many of Dr. Rutherford’s predictions came true about the value of mask wearing and the timing of vaccines becoming available. What are Dr. Rutherford’s predictions for the course of the Covid-19 virus in 2021? And when will life return to normal? Viewers also can ask Dr. Rutherford questions during the discussion portion of the event.
| Remembering Marella Guigou
A longtime LWVP member, Marella passed away on November 26, 2020. Always a cheerful and willing volunteer, she moved a few years ago to be near her daughter. We will always remember her enthusiasm and smile as she greeted members and guests at our LWVP events. |  | Recap of California's New Normal: Drought or Deluge
On December 6th, Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, gave a compelling presentation on California's vulnerable water future. She explained that our water infrastructure, a complex, interconnected system of reservoirs canals, and transport pipes is decades old, desperately in need of refurbishment. At the same time, increasing drought is threatening groundwater replenishment. Looking ahead, we can no longer rely on an ample or predictable Sierra snowpack to supply all of our water needs. California’s increasing population and role as the country’s producer of two-thirds of all fruits and nuts, one-third of all vegetables and one-fifth of all dairy put additional pressure on a fragile system.
Sustainable Conservation is leading several water projects, including groundwater and habitat restoration, clean drinking water, and water use mitigation strategies for dairies. Because agriculture consumes 80% of the water in California, Sustainable Conservation is working actively to bring landowners, business, environmental activists and government together to find workable solutions.
To watch this informative video, click here.
| Upcoming Programs
Save the date for the following programs. See our calendar for more information and join us on Zoom.
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March 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.: "Homelessness and COVID-19" with Dr. Margot Kushel, Director of UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations
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May 6, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.: "Perspectives on Women's Issues" with Nancy O'Malley, Alameda County District Attorney
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Calling All LWVP Members
Are you concerned about the health of our democracy? Frustrated by the lack of equal access to the ballot box? Ready to take action and make your voice heard? If your answer is YES, then the League needs YOU!
Like any volunteer organization, the success of our local League depends on the commitment of numerous volunteers - people like me and you - who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
If you are interested in stepping up to help LWVP or the Bay Area League, or are curious to learn more, please contact Lorrel Plimier at lorrelb@gmail.com asap. Once-in-a-while and year-round positions available.
| Next LWVP Board Meeting January 6, 2021
The next Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be virtual. Please contact LWVPiedmont@gmail.com for details, or check our calendar. All members are invited to attend. | |