Dear friends,

The big news relating to gender parity this week was the long-anticipated announcement that an image of a woman would replace the image of a man on US currency - I am very glad for this 'progress' and for the recognition of the heroism of Harriet Tubman but if women are to gain equal footing in all things whilst we are still alive to revel in it we better speed up the process! Airports, cities, streets, law schools, and buildings are all overdue to be named after women! You can read all the details in this story in the New York Times - 3 out of the 5 women to be featured on the 'back' of the new $10 bill were Quaker!

Dear all,

I am very glad to be darting around the Bay Area this week connecting with all sorts of women's representation enthusiasts - meetings include mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf, elected with ranked choice voting, Joan Blades of Moms Rising & Living Room Conversations, Betsy McKinney from It's Time Network, Alan Davis, Steve Silberstein and others too! Very sorry to miss Claire Moshenberg from the Gender Avenger team, and Betsy Cotton from Close the Gap CA that focuses their considerable talent on winning gender parity in the California legislature!

Dear friends,

I hope that you will check out the GenderAvenger website, watch their clever video, become a subscriber, learn what news commentary shows have the best gender balance, and get the GA Tally App!

Dear all,

Sewall Belmont House announced the launch of the Women's Vote Centennial Initiative to plan for the 100th anniversary of suffrage in 2020. This blog by Stephanie Drahan on the League of Women Voters site is a good overview of the discussion of Women in Politics from 1920 to 2016 held last week at Sewall Belmont House.

Dear all,

Several pieces caught my eye this week including a blog by Representation2020 intern Viviana Gonzalez on the history of using structural remedies like Title IX and the Civil Rights Act to address an unlevel playing field for women and girls. The success of these programs grounds my belief that structural reforms must be a component of our work for parity.

Dear friends,

The celebrations of women's history month continue with plenty to read and absorb.

I was very glad to take my 16 year old daughter to Running Start's10th anniversary gala this week in Washington, DC. Madeline Albright was honored at the fabulous event that featured an impressive array of women - from student leaders to members of Congress. Congratulations to the Running Start leadership and staff on an incredible evening! I am happy to report that my daughter was very inspired!

Dear friends,

There were many great celebrations of International Women's Day this week - this Google Doodle - struck a a hopeful chord.

(poster for the massive suffrage parade on March 3rd, 1913)

Dear women's representation enthusiasts,

I am starting off Women's History Month on vacation with my sister and mother-in law so this week's compilation will be brief so that I can get back to the many novels I brought to read!

Dear all,

This week I will be especially brief as I am racing out the door!

Here are a couple things to read about women's representation that caught my eye.

Sarah John, FairVote's research director, has a write-up of the Irish elections that are taking place today! Stay tuned for more information on how women fare in the fair representation voting system used there.

Hello movie fans!

As some of you may know, the Academy uses ranked choice voting to select best picture, best actor, and best actress. You can learn more about how the Oscar voting process works on the FairVote website.