SPOTLIGHTS | Fund Her

EleniK

Sworn in January 7, 2019

FUND HER SPOTLIGHT. #1:

Eleni Kounalakis

FIRST FEMALE LT. GOVERNOR OF CA

As a leader on the State Lands Commission, Eleni protected California coastal environment by terminating three offshore oil and gas leases in 2019, in direct opposition to the Trump administration’s proposal to expand offshore drilling.
A former Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni uses her expertise in diplomacy to help California, the world’s 5th largestbiggest economy, work with other countries like Mexico to drive progress on clean energy and efficiency standards.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons-Gage Skidmore

LATINA TRAILBLAZER & LABOR ACTIVIST

Sworn in December 3, 2018

FUND HER SPOTLIGHT. #2:

Maria Elena Durazo

Inspired by labor leaders like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, Maria is dedicated to empowering others and started her career as the first woman to head the LA County Federation of Labor.
Since then, Maria helped transform the labor movement in Southern California and continues to champion the rights of immigrants and workers.
In 2021, she led the signing of SB 334, the Private Detention Accountability Act, which requires for-profit detention facilities and prisons in California to uphold basic health and safety standards for people being detained.

Photo: Christine Kao/Daily Bruin

FUND HER SPOTLIGHT. #3:

Ghazala Hashmi

FIRST MUSLIM WOMAN

ELECTED TO VIRGINIA SENATE

Sworn in January 8, 2020

As the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia State Senate, Ghazala is a trailblazer and leader.
A former educator, Ghazala is a leader in social justice, making quality education more accessible and affordable.
She has also led climate action in Virginia, carrying forward the Virginia Environmental Justice Act to help ensure that all communities are protected from the impacts of climate change and pollution so that no population is disproportionately affected - especially minority, low-income or historically-underserved communities.

Photo: Steve Helber | AP

Maria

Ghazala