In the mid-1980’s, Gwen began her professional career as an investment banker, after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Business Management. Gwen began her career in political and social activism at about that same time by joining the board of directors of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, where she served for eleven years, from 1986 to 1997. One of Gwen’s most significant accomplishments during her tenure at the Center was to spearhead the outreach efforts to bring more women to The Center. Those efforts, which were notably successful, included creating programming, services (especially medical), social activities, and successful fundraising efforts targeting women.

Gwen has also been involved in local, state, and national political activities since 1992, by serving as co-chair of the Finance Committee for Sheila Kuehl’s first successful race for State Assembly, raising funds for Jackie Goldberg’s first campaign for City Council, raising funds for and advising Antonio Villaraigosa in his first campaign for State Assembly, and subsequently being appointed by Antonio to the Democratic State Central Committee and selected to be his alternate at the Democratic County Committee.

Gwen became involved in ANGLE in 1994, and served for eight years with the group raising money for candidates at all levels who are appropriately responsive on issues of importance to our community.

In 1996, Gwen became a member of the board of directors of the Human Rights Campaign. As co-chair of that board, Gwen has numerous responsibilities in helping to guide a large national board, including fundraising, co-chairing both a national strategic planning effort and the real estate committee, which oversaw the purchase and renovation of HRC’s new permanent home in Washington, DC.

Gwen’s commitment to our community begins at home with her family, where Gwen and her life partner, Nicole, are busy raising their two children, Gabrielle, who is three years old, and Nicholas, who celebrated his first birthday just two months ago. In honoring Gwen tonight, we are also paying thanks and tribute to Nicole, Gabrielle and Nicholas for their commitment, love and support.

There are very few individuals in our community who have demonstrated the utterly selfless, sustained commitment to lesbian and gay civil rights and political activism as Gwen has. I’ve learned by watching Gwen that the true leaders in our community are the ones who stay involved, who participate on committees, who take on projects, and who give of their time and energy vigorously and consistently, year in and year out. For this reason alone, Gwen is deserving of this honor tonight.

Another thing that sets Gwen apart, and something I try to emulate in my own life, is Gwen’s genuine and inherently positive outlook about what is possible for us to achieve as a community and political force. Gwen teaches us to believe in ourselves, our self-worth as individuals, and to believe in our ability to make a difference in society. Through her words and deeds, Gwen inspires others to achieve all that they can. I think that’s really the truest example of leadership.

Finally, it is important to recognize and pay tribute to what I call Gwen’s “quiet resolve.” Gwen’s ability to keep going, and to keep moving forward toward her goals in the face of adversity and imposing obstacles is heroic and inspirational.

Gwen Baba has made a significant contribution to the lesbian and gay community. All of us in this room are the fortunate beneficiaries of Gwen’s efforts, and Gwen continues to motivate me personally, and, I suspect many of you, to work hard to achieve our goal of full equality.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Gwen Baba on receiving Equality California’s 2003 Community Leadership Award.