WASHINGTON, SACRAMENTO, SAN FRANCISCO — The League of Women Voters of San Francisco, the League of Women Voters of California, and the League of Women Voters of the US issued the following statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein:  

“Dianne Feinstein was a trailblazing politician and public servant. Throughout her lifetime, she broke barriers for women in Congress and our democracy at large.

“Senator Feinstein was an advocate for women’s rights, a champion for gun safety, and a leader on climate change issues. As a US senator, she supported legislation on equality for the LGBTQIA+ community, opposing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and voting against the Defense of Marriage Act.

“When running for Senate in the 1990s, she famously declared, ‘Women are beginning to feel that they are not fairly represented. As we say, 2% may be fine for fat in milk, but not for the United States Senate.’ It was a sentiment she knew well as the first woman mayor of San Francisco. Fittingly, the year she was elected to the US Senate (1992) was later dubbed ‘The Year of the Woman.’

“The League community is forever grateful for her dedication to public service and the voters of California. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and staff at this time.”

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