Coordinating Committee at-large candidates, December 2011

Candidates to fill two open Coordinating Committee at-large seats for the remainder of the spring 2011- spring 2013 term  

Stevie Luther
Nancy Mancias

Candidates to fill two open Coordinating Committee at-large seats for the remainder of the spring 2012- spring 2014 term  

Marla Bernstein
Maxine Daniels

Candidate biographies

 

Stevie Luther

I became involved with the Green Party in my first year of college.  Attracted to a Campus Greens meeting by the prospect of cool new friends, I immediately saw a fit between the 10 Key Values and my emerging political consciousness.  The Green Party's commitment to social and economic justice, unwavering respect for the planet, and support for people-powered politics appealed to my sense of idealism and desire to effect positive change in the world.  I remained active in the club throughout the year, participating in a Peace Rally, a highway cleanup, and a voter registration drive.  Working in Congressman Mike Thompson's Eureka office that summer provided me with insight into the political arena- and a deep sense that  Democratic policies weren't doing enough to solve the many challenges facing our country. 

As an intern with the Green Change network, I furthered my knowledge of Green Party politics working with Marnie Glickman.  I attended the 2010 Annual National Meeting in Detroit where I helped organize the platform breakout sessions, networked with Green leaders from across the country, and participated in discussions about building the party.  Returning to Massachusetts, I devoted my energy to the Jill Stein for Governor campaign.  My internship projects also included building a social media presence for Green groups on Facebook and Twitter, making calls for the David Curtis for Governor campaign, and writing blog entries about why everyone should volunteer with the Green Party!

I have been involved with a number of student groups advocating for progressive change.  In the fall of 2009, I founded the Williams chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an international network of students opposed to the War on Drugs.  I was the leader of the group for two years, helping to bring together a diverse membership.  I was also a member of Thursday Night Grassroots, the student environmental group, and Students for Social Justice.  For my senior capstone course in American Politics, I researched and wrote a paper about the role of third parties in the United States titled, “The Politics of Discontent: Grassroots Party Movements and the Revival of American Democracy.”  One of my influences in choosing this topic was John Rensenbrink's The Green Transformation of American Politics. 

I earned my Bachelors from Williams College in June 2011 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Leadership Studies.  I am currently studying Environmental Planning at Humboldt State University and am an active member of the Humboldt County Green Party.  I live at home in McKinleyville, CA where I enjoy gardening, writing, and  playing ultimate frisbee. 

 

Nancy Mancias

I am the co-chair of the Marin Green Party county council. I work for a women's non-profit organization based in San Francisco where I manage a couple of campaigns. I'm also a national organizer and have built grassroots communities in Washington DC, Miami, New York, and Minneapolis. I'm a key anti-war organizer in the San Francisco-Bay Area. I support building coalition with military families, veterans and the interfaith communities as well as empowering and mentoring young women to be fearless activists. I've spearheaded and supported anti-war resolutions at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Finally, I'm assisting on a book dealing with the issue of robotic warfare.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. 

 

Marla Bernstein

I am a long time registered Green and activist in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and a current member of the Green Party County Council in Los Angeles County.  I also have a long history of involvement with the Local Station Board at KPFK Pacifica in Los Angeles.
 
I started my activism in 1979 when I first worked to help save the Cowles Bog in the Indiana Dunes State Park from a Nuclear plant called the Bailly Plant.  The work had began to drain the bog. I went to the Indiana Dunes weekly as a high school student, so I was familiar with the entire ecosystem of the area.  I literally walked on the bog weekly as a student. The plant was shut down, before it was built.  I did clerical work in the office and other activist work. This began my involvement with attempting to "Save the Environment."  I walked for 30 miles outside Zion Nuclear Facility as a teen. I saw the environment change from sparse vegetation near the plant to more live vegetation farther away from the plant.   I did what activists did then and I learned of the Indigenous Rights Movement while being involved.  I became a student of the Movement for Social, Political and Environmental Rights.  I have been so lucky.  I have been able to experience the United States through travel.  I raised 3 children and have been able to spend large amounts of time on that, while attending college and university.  I have been a successful mom.  I have been involved and have always been passionate about the environment and it's affects on humans, and all forms of life.
 
As a Green, I would like to serve on the State Coordinating Committee because if the Coordinating Committee does its administrative job well enough, the rest of party will run better and can focus on its political priorities.  As a woman, I would like to also bring some gender balance to the Coordinating Committee as there are very few women on it.

 

Maxine Daniels

I'm a long term Green (since 1992) and I've been active with GPAC since 2005. I'm currently serving a second term on GPAC County Council.

As a woman of color and a lesbian I was drawn to the Green Party by the 10 key values. I admit, I was looking for allies in the fight for environmental and social justice.  As a defender of reproductive rights and an advocate for victims of domestic violence I feel very at home in the Green Party.

I remain committed to the 10 key values and I remain committed to growing the Green Party. I believe now is an unprecedented opportunity to grow the ranks of the Green Party of California and one that I feel we all must embrace if we want to survive and thrive as an independent Party.

At this time I'm interested in helping the California Greens as a member of the state coordinating council. I believe I have valuable problem-solving and logistical skills to bring to the council. Thanking you all for the opportunity to serve.