Shirlee Zane's Accomplishments

Political Experience

Shirlee Zane marching for the "We’re Old, We’re Bold, We Vote” March and Rally

•   Member, Sonoma County Central Democratic Committee
•   Delegate, California State Democratic Convention, 1996
•   Commissioner, Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women, 3^rd District Appointee
•   Fellow, Women’s Policy Institute, 2006
•   Campaigned for Sonoma County’s Agricultural and Open Space District, Measure F in 2006
•   Lobbied for SB 840, Sheila Kuehls’ Health Care Initiative
•   Worked with Consumer’s Union to get Proposition 79 passed, Prescription Drug Company Reform
•   Lobbied for SB 40, Healthy Food Bill to get healthy, affordable produce into impoverished areas of State.
•   Lobbied for AB 1542, Mobil Home Park Bill to save hundreds of thousands of affordable housing for seniors.
•   Organized over 40 community leaders in a grassroots movement to stop the Privatization of Social Security.
•   Met with Secretary of Transportation Mineta’s top officials in Washington DC to discuss importance of senior and disabled transportation.

•   Worked with SEIU United Healthcare Workers to support worker’s rights in Sonoma County skilled nursing facilities.
•   Worked with SEIU United Healthcare Workers on Social Justice Healthcare Coalition.

•   Lobbied with Dr. Carroll Estes in the offices of Congressman Mike Thompson and Senator Barbara Boxer for Social Security and against Medicare Part D.
•   Lobbied City of Santa Rosa for a Universal Design Ordinance that would create future housing for “aging in place.”

A Leader with Vision Who Has Delivered Multiple Gifts to the Community

Ribbon cutting ceremony May 18, 2007	Led Campaign to Build a $3.5 Mil. Kitchen that will serve home delivered meals to county seniors for 30 years.

•     Raised additional $270,000 for a back-up generator to create County’s first Emergency Disaster Kitchen.
•     CEO of Council on Aging of Sonoma County for nine years.
•     Executive Director for Hospital Chaplaincy Services for 4 years – developed programs and contracts with 24 acute and skilled nursing hospitals for nonsectarian hospital chaplains.
•     Initiated and created Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Quality of Life issues for seniors and Disabled in Santa Rosa.
•     Assisted in major improvements for ADA in City of Santa Rosa, Advisory Committee and the first ADA Coordinator.
•     Worked as bilingual family therapist for 6 years starting programs in clinics, schools and Boys and Girls Clubs.
•     Mother and Stepmother of three children.

Transportation

•     Member of MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission Elder and Advisory Committee for four years.
•     Co-created first “Senior Friendly” fixed bus route with City of Santa Rosa
•     Assisted City Transit Department in hiring and increasing contract obligations for Para transit Provider.
•     Worked with City of Santa Rosa to create “Seniors on the Go”, a special promotional week for seniors and public transportation.
•     Take Back the Streets” March and Rally to educate need for safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Housing

•     Worked with Petaluma Ecumenical Properties, Episcopal Homes Foundation, Burbank Housing, Housing Advocates Group and other housing providers to develop and create affordable housing for seniors.
•     Sponsored “Sheltering the Vulnerable” a Photo show on Senior Homeless.

Education

•     BA in Speech Pathology and Audiology (CSU Chico)
•     MA in Theology and Cross Cultural Communications (Chicago, Trinity Divinity School)
•     MA in Family Counseling (Sonoma State University)
•     1998 graduate of Leadership Santa Rosa
•     Fellow, 2006 of Women’s Policy Institute
•     Graduate of Rio Grande Language School

Awards and Achievements

•     Rev. Coffee Human Rights Award, 2005
•     United Way Advocacy Impact Award, 2005
•     Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Award for Education, 1995
•     Award from the California Transportation Foundation, 2002

Boards and Commissions

•     Sonoma County Commissioner on the Status of Women
•     Sonoma County Cultural Arts Board
•     Southwest Community Health Center Board of Directors
•     Bioethics Committee, Kaiser Permanente
•     Bioethics Committee, Community (Sutter) Hospital
•     Bioethics Committee, Warrack Hospital
•     Palliative Care Committee, Warrack Hospital
•     Institutional Review Committee, Petaluma Hospital
•     Chamber of Commerce Good Morning Santa Rosa Committee
•     SRJC Human Services Advisory Committee
•     ADA Advisory committee for City of Santa Rosa
•     Sonoma County Courts Domestic Violence Committee
•     ADA Sonoma County Citizen Input Committee