Elizabeth Snyder: Breaking the glass ceiling in California politics

By Julie Bornstein

As a feminist soon to become a grandmother, I am living at an interesting time for women. The transition in society’s thinking about and treatment of women from when I was a child growing up in Southern California in the post-World War II era to the world now is monumental. I have enjoyed opportunities to expand my interests and fulfill my potential as a result of the work done by many other women and several have served as mentors over the course of my life.

I have always had an interest in government and politics: I have a clear memory of wearing an “I like Ike” button to elementary school during the 1956 Presidential campaign. My mother was a precinct volunteer for the County and often worked as an Election Day official. Never did I think, however, that one day I might run for office. At one point I thought I might want to be the wife of a Senator or the wife of an Ambassador but it was never within the realm of possibility to think that I could aspire to office and hope for a supportive spouse.

This changed when I met Elizabeth Snyder. When I was in my late 20s and a young lawyer seeking to build a practice in Los Angeles, I was invited to join a women’s networking organization called Women in Business. (As a sign of the times, Women in Business voluntarily closed down a couple of years ago as it felt that women today no longer needed this type of networking group). Elizabeth (Liz) Snyder was already a member and the mother of a lawyer daughter just a few years older than I. (Christine Snyder is a Federal Judge in LA).

Liz was diminutive in stature, quiet but authoritative of voice and quite willing to share her life experiences with younger women. I was lucky to be one of them. Let me tell you about her and then share some of the lessons I learned from her.

Liz did not have an unchallenged life. She was very bright and had planned to attend law school---not an easy feat for women in the 30s and early 40s. Unfortunately, she became an alcoholic and like many substance abusers, her addiction derailed her life until she became sober. She married a lawyer in Los Angeles and his successes allowed her to pursue her interests in a just society through political involvement. She saw that there was a place for someone, even a woman, willing to work hard, show-up and volunteer and that she did.

The first time I was in her home, I was blown away by the photos on the wall in her den. There she was in conversation with most of the Democratic Party political leaders of mid-to-late 20^th century. I started to ask questions and she was extraordinarily generous with her time and advice.

My favorite story was the time she offered to drive Eleanor Roosevelt from the airport to a speaking engagement in Los Angeles. At some point en route, Liz’ car got a flat tire. This is not good now but in a time before cell phones and freeway call boxes, the logistics of calling for help and to get the tire changed was quite time-consuming. Liz offered to call a cab for Mrs. Roosevelt so that she could arrive at her engagement close to the appointed time and Liz would wait for the tire service to come and fix her flat. She could then drive Mrs. Roosevelt to her hotel after the speaking gig. The former first lady flatly refused--she would not leave a young woman alone by the side of the road at night---and the two of them ended up having a wonderful conversation while they waited, ultimately getting on their way.

Liz was a supporter of Helen Gahagen Douglas, the first female Democratic member of Congress from California. Douglas was best known in national politics as Richard Nixon’s opponent when he won California’s Senate seat in 1950. She was the person who coined the nickname “Tricky Dick” in her response to his smear campaign that consistently claimed she was a Communist. Through these activities, Liz became active in the Democratic Party’s Women’s Forum and ultimately broke an important glass ceiling. Elizabeth Snyder was the first woman to chair one of the two major political parties at the state level anywhere in the United States, becoming the Chair of the California Democratic Party in 1952.

The fact that Liz was a woman Party Chair made a difference almost immediately. Liz encouraged Roz Weiner (now Roz Wyman) to run for the Los Angeles City Council in 1953, at the ripe age of 22 and immediately after she graduated from USC! Roz won that election and during her Council service was the member credited with bringing the Dodgers to Los Angeles. Roz is still very active in politics and served as the Chair of the Democratic Presidential Nominating Convention in San Francisco in 1984.

Another female Chair of the California Democratic Party who went on to break an even bigger glass ceiling was Nancy Pelosi, now serving as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.

I learned a number of important political lessons from Liz Snyder that I have put to use in my political career. The first is to take a chance. Roz Wyman said that Liz encouraged her to run in 1953 by saying, “what have you got to lose?” When Roz won, Liz promised to help “make her good.” While it doesn’t usually make sense to be reckless, we have to being willing to take a chance to break through those glass ceilings.

The second was to volunteer—especially to be the driver. Most politicians depend on local volunteers to help out when they travel---including the President of the United States. I’ve developed another important mentor relationship with Senator Barbara Boxer which began by my volunteering to drive her around the Coachella Valley when she was first campaigning for the US Senate in 1991. When President Clinton participated in the Bob Hope Classic here in the mid-90s, many members of my 1994 campaign staff joined me in providing the local volunteer staff who drove, typed, moved luggage and answered phones---and we all have our Presidential moments to treasure from that experience.

The third lesson was the importance of being willing to share. I learned from Liz Snyder that I could help make my community a better place by supporting good candidates, becoming active in Party politics and ultimately by serving in government myself. I’ve learned a lot about how our political system works. Just as Liz shared her experiences with me, I try to share with others as well. I currently teach American Government at College of the Desert and have participated in numerous women’s and political groups to encourage others, especially women, to become involved in government. That doesn’t mean that everyone must consider the challenges of running for office---there are many ways to serve. Liz Snyder taught me the responsibility to bring change belongs to each of us and we can each find a way to improve our communities.

Many of our leaders were touched by Liz Snyder. When Women in Business wanted to honor her in the early 80s, she insisted that the event support one of her interests—the Big Sister Program in Los Angeles. As most of you know, Big Brothers had a very successful fundraising program but 25 years ago a group that catered only to women and girls faced more challenges in developing support. Liz wanted the women she interacted with to take on Big Sisters as a group to support. I was lucky enough to serve on the dinner committee (I volunteered) and learned how to be an effective fundraiser from Roz Wyman, a real pro! And, at the dinner, we had a surprise visitor. When then-Governor Jerry Brown learned that Liz Snyder was being honored in the same hotel where he was speaking, he crashed the party with his date Linda Ronstadt and his full entourage. Liz Snyder broke the glass ceiling in politics in California and, as often happens when a woman opens the door; many, many of us have the chance to walk through.