March is Women’s History Month. Join us as we celebrate League members who make history every day. Today, meet Nina Senn.

“Women’s History Month is critically important because we have to know where we came from. We have to know we have made progress and we still have more we need to do. There are so many incredible people whose shoulders we stand on and they deserve to be remembered and appreciated. We have so much to learn from them,” Nina emphasized.

Born in upstate New York, Nina Senn settled in California as a young child. Today, Nina is an award-winning lawyer, businessperson and nonprofit leader and the founder of her own mentorship nonprofit. Nina has led diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as a public official, lawyer and non-profit leader for companies and organizations around the Bay Area including work as part of the Commission on the Status of Women in Alameda County. 

In 2014, Nina attended a voter education forum as a school board candidate and was asked to join the League of Women Voters of Oakland. Since then, Nina has been involved in many League projects including the statewide Schools & Communities First - Yes on Prop 15 Campaign and the local League of Women Voters of Oakland Centennial Celebration.

The first law school graduate in her family, Nina realized how mentors supported her journey and is dedicated to mentoring other women and supporting them in leadership roles. 

“My job is to make things better for others, to offer access to opportunities to women, so they can have access to their dreams and their passions,” said Nina.

Why is the League an important part of Women’s History Month?

“The League is by far one of the most trusted organizations in the United States, educating and advocating on voting rights and access. It is essential that our advocacy work to protect those rights continues,  and women are such an important part of that work” Nina said.

Favorite quote about women:

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” - Shirley Chisholm, politician, educator, and author 

What woman do you most admire in history?

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an attorney, gender equality advocate, and Supreme Court Justice. Nina met Justice Ginsberg when she was sworn in as an attorney and uses her career as an inspiration.

What do you want to be remembered for?

“I try to mentor women wherever I can in a concentrated and intentional way,” said Nina. “One of the things that my mother taught me is that when you go to someone's house, always leave the house better than you found it. I hope that people remember that I made things better” she added.

After the departure of so many women from the workforce during the pandemic, Nina saw a need for women to have more allies, to have mentors from all sectors to help them reach their goals and dreams. Nina took action and founded a mentorship program called, Opportunity Ready: It’s Her Turn.

Find out more about Nina’s mentoring program and get involved today.