When Women Lead is an ongoing discussion series hosted by DAWN (Democratic Activists for Women Now) that highlights the voices of women leaders in our community. Each conversation is designed to inspire action, spark learning, and strengthen community connections.

From elected officials to grassroots organizers, When Women Lead brings together bold, visionary women who are shaping policy, uplifting others, and fighting for justice. Join us to build power, come together in solidarity, and stay engaged in the movement for equity and progress.

In honor of Mother’s Day, DAWN invites you to a special edition of our When Women Lead series featuring Council Member Rosemary Kamei and Mayor Ellen Kamei—a remarkable mother-daughter duo serving local communities and leading across generations.

We’ll kick off the morning at 10:00 AM with coffee, bagels, fruit, and other delicious brunch bites as we come together to write postcards to voters in red states—and to our Senators—urging them to stop the SAVE Act. This dangerous bill is a direct threat to our democracy, and our votes are being suppressed. Women across the country need to know what’s happening—and that we’re fighting back. We won’t be silent. We won’t stand by.

Join us in taking action—one postcard, one voter, one voice at a time. (More on the SAVE Act below)

At 11:00 AM, our featured speakers will begin their conversation. If you can't join us in person, join us virtually

Rosemary Kamei, elected to the San José City Council in 2022 with over 60% of the vote, will join her daughter, Ellen Kamei, Mayor of Mountain View. Together, they’ll share insights from their personal journeys, political experiences, and public policy work—and reflect on what it means to lead as women, mothers, and multigenerational advocates for equity and justice

Whether you're attending in person at 10:00 AM or joining us online at 11:00 AM via Zoom, this event is a celebration of leadership, action, and community.

Event Location: Santa Clara County Democratic Party Headquarters- 2901 Moorpark Ave., Suite #110, San Jose, CA 95128 (or on Zoom)

Please RSVP so we can save your seat. Seating is limited to 50 people.

The SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), H.R. 8281, was passed by the House on April 10th. Read the full bill here.

Michael Waldman, president of the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice, describes the SAVE Act as a deceptive and dangerous bill that would require documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote in federal elections. While that may sound harmless on the surface, the truth is that most Americans don’t have these documents readily available, especially women who’ve changed their names after marriage, low-income voters, students, the elderly, and naturalized citizens. This bill creates unnecessary barriers that would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters under the false guise of “election integrity.” In reality, the SAVE Act is a strategic attempt to chip away at voting rights, particularly in communities of color, and to silence the voices of those already fighting to be heard. It’s voter suppression, plain and simple—and a direct attack on our democracy.

Southern Poverty Law Center reports that the SAVE Act would make it harder for millions of people to register and vote. An estimated 21.3 million Americans do not have easy access to the forms of DPOC this bill requires. 

In a statement, Molly McGrath, director of the ACLU’s national democracy campaigns, said:

“The SAVE Act is a dangerous and unnecessary attack on voting rights that could block millions of eligible citizens from voting. We are already challenging President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order that seeks to impose similar restrictions through the Election Assistance Commission—an illegal overreach that threatens to upend our elections. This isn’t about protecting voters or our elections, it’s about politicians who want to protect themselves and pick and choose their voters. But that’s not how democracy works. The Senate must reject this bill and instead ensure that every eligible citizen can easily cast their ballot.”