FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2023
CONTACT: Emerge California
510.221.6423, contact@emergeca.org
Emerge California Announces New Board Chair Rhodesia Ransom – Committing to Build on Successful 2022 Cycle
Oakland, CA – Emerge California, the state’s premier organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office, announces Rhodesia Ransom will lead the organization’s Board of Directors as Chair. Emerge California reached new levels of success in 2022 as it celebrated its 20th anniversary and a nearly 70 percent win rate for the 125 alumnae on the November ballot – including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, and seven state legislators. Emerge California now has 207 graduates currently holding elective offices.
Board Chair Rhodesia Ransom is joined by Julie Waters, who will be serving as Board Treasurer, and Jacqueline Piccini, who will be serving as Board Secretary.
“I’m excited to step into this role to lead our Board of Directors as we welcome Emerge California’s Class of 2023 – the most diverse class in organization history,” said newly elected Board Chair Rhodesia Ransom. “Since its founding twenty years ago, Emerge California has trained over 800 Democratic women to run for office with impressive results, and I look forward to building on our record of success in 2023.”
“As an Emerge California alumna, a former officeholder, and a current candidate for elected office, Rhodesia exemplifies Emerge California’s mission to train Democratic women to run and lead,” stated Interim Executive Director Libby Schaaf. “I am confident that under her leadership, the Emerge California Board of Directors will help our organization reach even greater heights in 2023 and beyond.”
Many of the 207 Emerge California alumnae that currently hold elected office are providing fresh perspectives as the firsts of their backgrounds and identities to serve in their positions. Additionally, 90 percent of the new Class of 2023 are members of the New American Majority – Black, Brown and Indigenous women and women of color, as well as LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women. These women will change the face of power and bring their life experiences, passion, and resolve to rebuild and fight for a just and equitable California.
RHODESIA RANSOM, Board Chair bio:
Rhodesia Ransom is a proud alum of Emerge California. Known for her pragmatic and effective leadership, she walks the walk and delivers for our community. Ms. Ransom has served in elected, appointed, and volunteer roles in the nonprofit, government, and community sectors because she is passionate about servant leadership. Ms. Ransom is a current candidate for California State Senate, District 5, an elected member of the Democratic National Committee, and Treasurer of the California Democratic Party’s Black Caucus. She also serves on the boards of directors for the United Way and Delta College Foundation.
Links to the full bios of all Emerge California Board of Directors Members are available on the Emerge California website.
Emerge California has a proven track record of getting Democratic women elected. Since the organization launched in 2002, the program has trained more than 800 women to run for office. 207 alums currently serve in elected office, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis; State Controller Malia Cohen; State Senators Aisha Wahab and Marie Alvarado-Gil, State Assemblymembers Dawn Addis, Lori Wilson, Mia Bonta, Pilar Schiavo, and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; San Francisco Mayor London Breed; San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran; Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky; and San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott.
For more information, please visit ca.emergeamerica.org.
###