Public Service Award 2008
Gloria Romero—California State Senate Majority Leader

As Senate Majority Leader, Senator Gloria Romero is the highest ranking woman in the California State Senate and the first woman to hold this leadership position. Sen. Romero is a legislator, an educator, a dedicated social activist, an aggressive prison reformer, and a forceful advocate for California’s most disadvantaged citizens. For example, in 2005, Sen. Romero successfully authored a reform of the entire California Youth and Adult Correctional Agency, launching the new California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and a new era in California corrections. Sen. Romero is recognized nationally as California’s leader in corrections reform. She is an advocate for civil rights, women’s rights and human rights.

Sen. Romero serves on several subcommittees and has received numerous awards for her work; she has gained a reputation as one of the hardest working legislators in Sacramento. Sen. Romero also holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and has taught at every level of the state’s university system.

Gloria Romero was the leader of the women’s caucus who, when she heard about the Italian Supreme Court overturning a rape conviction because the woman wore tight jeans, organized a protest on the Capitol steps in Sacramento in solidarity with the women legislators in Rome. Her action was the inspiration for Denim Day in LA, Denim Day California, and now Denim Day USA. The Senator has been an advocate for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. When asked what motivates her, she answered, “silence equals death,” and that when she sees an injustice, she must act, she must do something.

Peace Over Violence is extremely proud to present the Public Service Award to California State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero.