Abstract
An oral history with Cathy Warner, current mayor pro tem and councilmember of Whittier City Council. The interview was conducted for the Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project for California State University, Fullerton’s Center for Oral and Public History. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding Warner’s life history and public service work. Specifically, this interview details Warner’s early family history in Whittier, California; discusses childhood, family life, and involvement with the YMCA; remembers her father’s and extended family’s military service and participation in local politics; recalls decision to attend Fullerton College and dental school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City; shares how she met her husband and their courtship; reflects on her role models; recollects decision to move back to California and entering motherhood; shares husband’s involvement with the Burgundy Street Singers; discusses working in her family’s periodontal practice; reflects on her decision to attend the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California; remembers early involvement in her community through groups such as Brownies, Girl Scouts, YMCA, and church; explains why education is important to her; recalls her introduction into politics while in high school and later involvement on the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees, Cultural Arts Commission, and East Whittier School Board of Education; remembers decision to run for city council in 2002, campaign strategy, and victory; explains her family’s support in her running for city council; reflects on her experiences being the fifth woman to serve on city council, as well as adapting to life as a councilwoman in a mostly male setting; shares challenging issues faced while serving on the school board and city council; shares what she believes makes an effective and ethical councilmember; talks about the types of opponents she faced; expresses the unique and important contributions women make as councilmembers, and why she believes few women serve on city councils and local government; provides advice to young women wanting to get involved in local politics; shares thoughts on feminism; and closes the interview with what she is most proud of in her political life.
