CWL hosts Panel Discussion on Results of Her Stories on the Campaign Trail Report
Photography by David Sengthay, Stockton
SACRAMENTO – On August 29, 2023, California Women’s List (CWL) announced the results of the Her Stories on the Campaign Trail: Analyzing the Mental Health Impacts of Hostility Women Face Pursuing Political Office in California in front of crowd of about 60 people at the California Democratic Party Headquarters. California Women’s List hosted of a panel of various subject matter experts to contextualize the results. Panelists included, Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley), Jocelyn Tapia (LFMT & Co-Author of Her Stories Report), Dr. Sarah Carson (Co-Author of Her Stories Report), and Danielle Cendejas (Partner & Consultant at The Strategy Group). The panel was facilitated by Dr. Nancy Huante-Tzintzun, tenured professor of Ethnic Studies at Sacramento State University.
The results of California Women’s List’s Her Stories on the Campaign Trail Report were sobering, but unfortunately not shocking.
Women running for office face disproportionate hostility compared to male counterparts. Nearly two-thirds of women (65.38%) experienced harassment during their campaigns, compared to half (50%) of men. Alarmingly, 42.31% of all women experienced stalking at least once during their campaign (and nearly one in five women experienced stalking frequently or very frequently), a full 15 points higher compared to 27.27% of men (most of whom experienced stalking only rarely). The data was even more stark for women of color–54.76% of whom experienced stalking at least once during their campaigns (28.57% reporting experiencing stalking frequently or very frequently)–and LGBTQ+ women, 53.33% of whom experienced stalking during their campaigns.
Women experienced serious mental health symptoms as a result of this hostility. Over half of women experienced frequent or very frequent fatigue or loss of energy (64.1%), sleep disturbance (65.38%), or excessive anxiety or worry (50%). And 43.59% of women experienced recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
When those who experienced online abuse were asked how concerned for their personal safety it caused them to be, 25.64% of all women respondents and one-third of LGBTQ+ women reported feeling very or extremely concerned, while zero men respondents did.
Approximately 80% of all respondents reported experiencing new mental health or wellness-related symptoms that they believed were caused, in whole or in part, by hostility experienced during their campaigns
Her Stories on the Campaign Trail Report: Analyzing the Mental Health Impacts of Hostility Women Face Pursuing Political Office in California cover. Photography by David Sengthay.
Lauren Babb, CWL board member, at the Her Stories Report release event in Sacramento, CA. Photography by David Sengthay.
About 60 attendees listening to Camille Zapata, Co-Author & CWL Board member, report results of Her Stories Report. Photography by David Sengthay.
Marissa Roy, President of CWL (left) and Camille Zapata, Co-Author and Board Member of CWL (right) at the Her Stories Report release event in Sacramento, CA. Photography by David Sengthay.
Phillicity Uriarte, Her Stories report designer, greets attendee prior to panel.
Rusty Hicks, Chair of California Democrat Party, attends California Women’s List’s Her Stories of the Campaign Trail Report Release in Sacramento. Photography by David Sengthay.
Marissa Roy, President of CWL (right) and Camille Zapata, Co-Author and Board Member of CWL (left) welcomes attendees to the Her Stories Report release event in Sacramento, CA. Photography by David Sengthay.
Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) shares her story on the campaign trail at the Her Stories Report release event in Sacramento, CA. Photography by David Sengthay.
Panelists preparing to start including (left to right: Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley), Danielle Cendejas (Partner & Consultant at The Strategy Group), and Dr. Sarah Carson (Co-Author of Her Stories Report). Photography by David Sengthay.
Marissa Roy, President of California Women’s List, greets attendees and opens up the panel portion of the program. Photography by David Sengthay.
Jocelyn Tapia, LFMT & Co-Author of Her Stories Report, tunes in as a virtual panelist. Photography by David Sengthay.
Panel host, Dr. Nancy Huante-Tzintzun, speaks to crowd of about 60 people. Photography by David Sengthay.
Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) speaking at California Women’s List’s Her Stories Report Release in Sacramento. Photography by David Sengthay.
Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) gives remarks at California Women’s Lists’ Her Stories Report release event in Sacramento. Photography by David Sengthay.
Celine Lopez, CWL Board Member, closes panel and thanks attendees. Photography by David Sengthay.
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Press Contact
Marissa Roy, Board President, marissa@cawomenslist.org
About California Women’s List
California Women’s List (CWL) is a Political Action Committee that endorses, fundaises for, and elects women to public office in California. Its mission is to elect women who will make California more just and equitable for all. CWL is run by volunteer board members from across the state who lend their time and talents to CWL’s mission and operations. Learn more at californiawomenslist.org.
