I always recognized the fact that you have to do what you can while you’re there, and you have to make it count. But equally important, at least in my world, is that you have to empower other people to do the work. Because most folks are afraid to take on the challenges that I took on, OK? What I have always tried to teach, to demonstrate to others, is that you can be a change agent, you can be the voice, you can be that strong back, you can be that person and still have the respect of everybody in the room…So if I can spark that in the (legislative) members that are there now, and they’re doing some of it and if I can even support them in some of their efforts — you know, because I’ll be just across the street — that would be worth it.
California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Congratulates Commissioner and Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber On Her Confirmation as Secretary of State
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) exuberantly celebrates the confirmation of Commissioner Dr. Shirley N. Weber to the position of Secretary of State. Dr. Weber is an incredible California leader and an amazing champion for women.
Governor Gavin Newsom selected Assemblymember Dr. Shirley N. Weber (D-79, San Diego) as California’s 30th Secretary of State and she was officially confirmed on January 28, 2021. When confirmed, Dr. Weber will become California’s first Black Secretary of State, the fourth woman to serve in the role, and only the fifth Black person to serve as a state constitutional officer in California’s 170-year history.
Commission Chair, Dr. Wilkins responded to this historic nomination saying, “While we as a Commission continue to advocate to advance the causes of racial and gender equity in California and across the nation, and to support the advancement of women at every level, we are honored and excited to see one of our own breaking barriers at the highest levels of government.” Executive Director of the Commission, LaKenya Jordan said, “Dr. Weber is both an inspiration and an icon. Her years of dedicated service to women and girls, and advancing equity and justice are well known. She is held in the highest regard and will serve the citizens of California well.” The Commission hopes that little girls across the state and across the nation take note as women like Dr. Weber lead the way into a new future full of opportunity for all.
Assemblymember Shirley Nash Weber was elected in November of 2012 to represent California’s 79th Assembly District. Assemblymember Weber served as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety and the California Legislative Black Caucus. She also served as a member of the Assembly Standing Committees on Education, Higher Education, Elections, Budget, and Banking and Finance. In 2016, she chaired the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee and earlier this year Assemblymember Weber chaired the California College of Presidential Electors.
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is comprised of 17 appointed Commissioners who work tirelessly to advance greater equality for women and girls inclusive of race and gender, through legislative advocacy and programs and partnerships focused on advancing women’s equality, pay equity, women’s wellbeing, workplace rights, positive images of women and girls in the media, and increasing the number of girls engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.).
About Dr. Weber
Assembly Member Dr. Shirley Nash Weber was elected in November of 2012 to represent California’s 79th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Bonita, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City and San Diego.
Born to sharecroppers of Hope, Arkansas, Shirley Weber has lived in California since the age of 3. She attended UCLA, where she received her BA, MA and PhD by the age of 26. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she became a professor at San Diego State University (SDSU) at the age of 23. Dr. Weber also taught at California State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College before coming to San Diego State University.
Prior to being elected to the Assembly, she served as the mayor’s appointee and Chair on the Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission. Dr. Weber has also served on the Board of the NAACP, YWCA, YMCA Scholarship Committee, Battered Women Services, United Way, San Diego Consortium and Private Industry Council, and many more.
Assembly Member Weber has lived in the 79th Assembly District for over 30 years. Her children attended public school in the district and she was elected to the school board. As a board member, and subsequent board president, she became known for her advocacy for closing the achievement gap and a higher standard of excellence for all children.
From 2005-2006, Dr. Weber hosted a popular weekly radio program weekly entitled, “It’s a New Day with Dr. Shirley Weber,” on KURS AM 1040. The program was broadcast live throughout San Diego and internationally over the internet. In 2006, she aired her program live from Johannesburg, South Africa, sharing her students’ perspectives and those of local South Africans. Dr. Weber has lectured throughout the United States, Caribbean and Africa.
Assembly Member Weber is the mother of two children and the widow of the late Honorable Daniel Weber, a California state judge.
California lawmakers confirm Weber as secretary of state
The Senate confirmed Weber on a 29-0 vote on Thursday, one day after the Assembly backed her 70-0.
New Secretary of State Shirley Weber Wants Voters to Understand ‘How Fragile Democracy Is’
Seventy years ago, sharecroppers David and Mildred Nash refused to back down in a dispute with a white farmer, and fled from a lynch mob in Hope, Arkansas. With their 2-year-old daughter in tow, they found a new home out west in a place so different her grandfather, who would die without ever being able to vote, called it a “foreign land.” This year that toddler, who is now San Diego Assemblymember Shirley Weber, is slated to become the first Black Californian to be the state’s top election official
Calif Senate Confirms Asm. Shirley Weber as Secretary of State, 1st Black Person to Hold Title
“Dr. Weber is a tireless advocate and change agent with unimpeachable integrity. She will be at the helm of our elections as our next Secretary of State, the first African American to be California’s Chief Elections Officer,” the Governor’s Office said.
Shirley Weber On Priorities As California Secretary Of State
The San Diego Democrat joined CapRadio’s Insight for an interview about Trump’s controversial phone call and to discuss her agenda as California’s top elections official.
Assemblywoman Shirley Weber Nominated To Become First Black Woman To Be California's Secretary Of State
Democratic Assemblywoman from San Diego, Shirley Weber, has been nominated by California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve as the next secretary of state. If confirmed, she will replace Alex Padilla, leaving the role to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ vacant Senate seat. Weber would become the first Black woman to be secretary of state in California’s 170-year history.