Achieving Equality for Women
Passionate about both public service and her family, Michela Alioto-Pier has led the way for more equitable treatment for women and women with children in San Francisco. Michela was the first Supervisor to have a child while serving on the Board, and she’s worked to balance her role as a public servant with her role as a mom. Breaking down barriers and expanding and opportunity will be a priority for Michela as Mayor.
As a Supervisor, Michela:
Fought to establish family leave policies for elected officials and City commissioners. While preparing for the birth of her third child, Michela discovered a glaring oversight – there was no maternity or family leave policy for Supervisors or members of the City’s boards and commissions. The fight to create that policy was long, but today there is one less reason for other women to have to choose between family and public service.
Ensured that crimes against women, such as rape, are promptly investigated. After learning that rape kits could sit uncollected for weeks, Michela worked with the San Francisco Police Department to establish meaningful timelines for collection and testing of this DNA evidence. As a result of her work, rape kits are now collected within 72 hours with testing completed within two weeks.
Passed legislation to allow mothers to breastfeed in public. Decisions about breastfeeding are intensely personal, but worries about where breastfeeding is allowed shouldn’t have to be part of those decisions. Michela took a strong stand in favor of mother’s rights to breastfeed in public.
Ended retirement penalties for police officers and firefighters who take maternity leave. The families of police officers and fire fighters make great sacrifices for our city, and Michela believed we should make it possible for those who protect us to meet their families’ needs as well. For years, women who took maternity leave weren’t eligible for retirement until years after men whose careers started at the same time. Michela wrote a charter amendment, later passed by City voters, allowing police officers and firefighters to purchase service credits towards retirement to cover time spent caring for new babies.
Achieved gender equity in the workplace. Michela knows that many young women interested in government never get the opportunity to fully participate. During her seven years on the Board, six of her eight legislative aides were women. Michela also established job-share policies in her office that allowed working mothers to continue their careers. Today, many of her former aides have reached positions of great influence in City departments or with community organizations.
As Mayor, Michela will:
Fully fund comprehensive women’s health programs in her budget submissions. Recently, organizations such as Lyon-Martin women’s health clinic have faced closure due in part to lack of City funding. San Francisco will never reach its goal of universal healthcare for all until women’s-specific healthcare is fully funded and women in every community have access to a high-quality medical home. Michela will ensure that her budget submissions include these services.
Appoint qualified women to senior staff positions in the Mayor’s office as well as City boards and commissions. Michela knows there is no shortage of qualified, talented women in San Francisco. She’ll work to identify women with the skills needed in government, and make sure women are fairly represented in her appointments.
Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. Getting the most our of city government means maintaining a safe, open work environment. No one should feel uncomfortable at work, especially in government. Michela will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment in city offices.
Devote the full resources of City government to ending human trafficking. Michela believes that human trafficking is the equivalent of modern-day slavery, and that only the coordination of City, state and federal agencies will allow us to end this scourge in San Francisco. Working with the District Attorney, Chief of Police, community groups and the media, Michela will work to assist victims and prosecute those responsible.
Encourage women to participate in city politics. Four years ago, three of seven citywide office holders were women. Today there are none. Michela is committed to using the pulpit of the Mayor’s office to encourage more women to pursue office and participate in the political process.