Elaine Jegi
Co-Founder, NWPC Contra Costa · Movement Builder for 50 Years
"We discovered the power of like-minded individuals working toward a common goal; and we were ready to challenge the perceived roles society held for women."
Co-Founder, NWPC Contra Costa · Movement Builder for 50 Years
"We discovered the power of like-minded individuals working toward a common goal; and we were ready to challenge the perceived roles society held for women."
A daughter of Finnish immigrants, Elaine's journey from a farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to California activism shaped a lifetime of challenging barriers and breaking new ground for women.
A child of Finnish immigrants, Elaine grew up on a farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during an era when young women did not expect to have careers or work outside the home. Advertisements depicted women smiling and wearing crisp house dresses as they cooked meals and vacuumed floors. Television shows like Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best modeled the ideal life: women ran perfect households and deferred to their husbands.
For those who had dreams of attending college, most chose careers in teaching or nursing. Few women even considered applying for the limited openings available in Medical Schools or Law Schools. When Elaine left home in 1956 to attend the University of Michigan, it was hardly with her father's blessing. He had already established that there was no need for a girl to attend college. It was a scholarship and a summer job that gave her the opportunity.
When Elaine left her family farm for the University of Michigan in 1956, she was intimidated and afraid. But somehow, through education and opportunity, she gained courage, confidence and a greater belief in herself. This transformation would become the foundation for a lifetime of helping other women find their own voices.
Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position in California. The late 1950s required women teachers to wear skirts or dresses and stand all day in high-heeled shoes. But by the time the 1960s and 70s rolled around, questioning was in the air. They questioned everything from dress codes to the Vietnam War. And questioning alone was not enough to affect change—they learned they had to step forward with their beliefs.
They marched in protest to the Vietnam War, signed petitions for protecting the environment, rallied for civil rights, spoke up to preserve open space, sounded the alarm against the build-up of nuclear weapons, and supported the Clean Air Act. Most importantly, they discovered the power of like-minded individuals working toward a common goal.
From teacher to business owner to political organizer, Elaine's path shows how personal experiences with inequality can spark a lifetime of advocacy and organizing.
In 1980, when Elaine started her own small business, she needed her husband's signature to qualify for a loan—even though she was earning her own salary as a teacher. This personal encounter with systemic inequality revealed the multitude of inequities faced by women in the workplace and education. Women were denied basic rights and opportunity at every turn.
There were plenty of directions toward which they could focus their attention as they examined the multitude of inequities faced by women. But they concluded that by having more women in positions of leadership, they could create change on several levels. They were ready to challenge the all-male bastions of power in Contra Costa County.
One of the first gatherings of women committed to the cause was at the home of Paula Schiff in Walnut Creek. They were eager to create an action plan for helping women attain elected office in their county. They decided to join forces with women across the country and became the Contra Costa County Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus in 1974.
Elaine had the honor of serving as one of the Co-chairs of the local NWPC branch. She accepted the responsibility even though she knew that they were tilling new ground and there was no guide book to follow. They held monthly meetings at the Copper Penny Restaurant in Concord, combining resources and encouraging women to seek elected office with one singleness of purpose: Electing Women!
For five decades, Elaine has been at the forefront of building political power for women in Contra Costa County—organizing campaigns, creating innovative fundraising strategies, and supporting countless women candidates who changed the face of local government.
After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in teaching, Elaine moved to California to accept a teaching position. This career would span decades and provide her with financial independence—even as she fought for women's right to access credit without male permission.
Twenty signatures were needed to establish a local NWPC chapter. Elaine is honored to be one of those "founding mothers." She served as one of the Co-chairs, holding monthly meetings at the Copper Penny Restaurant on Willow Pass Road in Concord. They were connected to women across the country, learning from one another and finding empowerment from their collective mission.
With little money but great creativity, Elaine pioneered the "Pyramid Lunch" fundraising strategy. Host a luncheon, invite 6 women, charge $3.00 each, and ask those 6 to host their own luncheons. By the third tier, this generated 258 participants. The first Pyramid Lunch was held at Elaine's home—and she served quiche.
Elaine and the NWPC supported pioneering women candidates including Marcella Colarich (BART Board), Claudia Nemir (Danville City Council), Lillian Pride (Pittsburg Hospital Board), and 30-year-old Sunne McPeak who ran for County Supervisor. Sunne was elected and served for 15 years, going on to serve in governmental positions throughout the Bay Area and California.
When June Bulman announced her desire to run for Concord City Council, men who had traditionally served didn't take her candidacy seriously. Elaine and a committee of 8-10 women walked precincts for months, strategically targeting likely voters. Election night brought victory for June—the first woman elected to Concord City Council. She later became the first woman Mayor in Concord history.
Elaine started her own small business while still teaching. The experience of needing her husband's signature for a business loan—despite her own teaching salary—crystallized her understanding of the systemic barriers women faced and strengthened her resolve to change the system.
A group of women gathered again at Elaine's home in Concord to celebrate 50 years since the NWPC was established in Contra Costa County. It was also the anniversary of the first Pyramid Lunch—and yes, Elaine served quiche. Twenty-two women attended, more than half of whom held elected office. Perhaps having women in public office is becoming more the norm than a unique event.
With appreciation to Sunne McPeak and Karen Mitchoff for seeing the value of recording this history, Elaine submitted her entry into the Contra Costa HerStory Project. Her hope: that readers will be inspired by this history and that women will continue to use their collective voices to maintain the values we cherish.
Behind every statistic are real stories of grassroots organizing, creative problem-solving, and women supporting women to change the face of political power.
The best way to support women candidates would be by offering financial support. But there were very few resources to tap during the early days when they weren't taken seriously. Men running for office had eager donors ready and willing to give money and endorsements, especially if they had established themselves in the old boys' club in their jurisdiction. Not so for women.
So they became creative. One of their fundraising strategies was the Pyramid Lunch. The idea was that an individual would host a luncheon at her home, invite 6 women, charge at least $3.00 and ask those 6 women to also host a luncheon for six guests. The second tier would generate 36 participants. By the time the pyramid reached the third tier there was a possibility of 258 participants.
Elaine invited 6 women and a few woman candidates to her home for lunch. She collected $3.00 from each and served quiche. One of the attendees at the first Pyramid Lunch was Sunne McPeak. At the age of 30, Sunne was a candidate for the Board of Supervisors in Contra Costa County.
Sunne was elected and served Contra Costa County as a Supervisor for 15 years. She went on to serve in governmental positions in the Bay Area and the state of California. Her positive impact on our County, the Bay Area and the State of California is recognized and applauded by many across our state. Elaine likes to think that those early efforts by the NWPC in Contra Costa County contributed in a small way to Sunne's valued contribution and success.
Another election stands out in Elaine's memory. When June Bulman announced her desire to run for the Concord City Council in 1976, men had traditionally served on the Council and June's candidacy was not taken very seriously.
June had a Campaign Committee of 8 to 10 women and a very small campaign chest. She ran against men who were already established in city Government or were members of prominent Concord families. The Committee to elect June made up for the lack of funds and credentials with their passion.
After carefully analyzing voting patterns, voter turn out and party affiliation, they identified those precincts where the voters were most likely to vote for June. The Committee would focus on one or two precincts each Saturday, walking door to door and greeting voters. The group carried on the effort over a period of 2 to 3 months and by the time of the election, most of Concord's neighborhoods had been visited.
And no one noticed.
Election night came with a victory for June and disappointment for the candidate who had taken victory for granted. June served for several terms and held the position of Mayor—the first woman in Concord History to do so. The victory proved that organized, passionate grassroots campaigns could overcome established power and unlimited resources.
Elaine's reflections on five decades of movement building, the women who stepped forward, and the challenges that remain.
The accomplishments made and the victories achieved came about because women stepped forward with a willingness to challenge previous norms. A woman candidate needed to be willing to face criticism and judgment. She would often be judged by a higher standard than her male counterparts.
Equally important were her supporters, the behind the scenes campaign workers who were most often women. To the candidates of the past and their supporters, thank you for your passion, vision and courage. Your efforts are appreciated and will continue to inspire women far into the future.
It is with appreciation to Sunne McPeak and Karen Mitchoff for seeing the value of recording our history, that I submit my entry into the Contra Costa HerStory Project.
May our readers be inspired by our history and may women continue to use their collective voices to maintain the values that we cherish. It may be the voices of women who will ultimately help our country change course during these challenging and dire times in 2025.
The impact of Elaine's five decades of organizing extends far beyond individual campaigns—she helped build an infrastructure of support that continues to elect and empower women leaders today.
Sunne McPeak (County Supervisor, 15 years), June Bulman (first woman on Concord City Council and first woman Mayor), Marcella Colarich (BART Board), Claudia Nemir (Danville City Council), Lillian Pride (Pittsburg Hospital Board), and countless others who ran and won because of NWPC support.
Co-founded the Contra Costa Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus in 1974—one of the twenty founding signatures. This organization provided infrastructure, training, fundraising, and volunteer support for women candidates for five decades and counting.
Pioneered the "Pyramid Lunch" fundraising model—a creative grassroots approach that exponentially expanded small donations into substantial campaign support. This model has been replicated by countless organizations and campaigns since 1974.
Helped normalize women in political leadership. At the 50th anniversary celebration in 2024, more than half of the 22 attendees held elected office—a stark contrast to 1974 when women in elected positions were rare exceptions. "Perhaps having women in public office is becoming more the norm than a unique event."
Developed sophisticated grassroots campaign strategies including precinct analysis, targeted voter contact, and volunteer mobilization. June Bulman's 1976 victory showed that organized, data-driven grassroots campaigns could defeat well-funded, establishment candidates.
Three generations of women have been touched by the NWPC work Elaine helped build. Women who attended those early Pyramid Lunches and campaign meetings went on to run for office themselves, mentor other women, and pass the torch of political engagement to their daughters and granddaughters.
Five decades of organizing, innovating, and building political power for women have transformed the landscape of Contra Costa County politics.
One of the twenty founding signatures in 1974, Elaine helped establish the local chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus. She served as Co-chair and led monthly meetings, creating an infrastructure that has supported women candidates for 50 years. This organization became the backbone of women's political organizing in the county.
Invented the "Pyramid Lunch" fundraising strategy—a brilliantly simple grassroots model that exponentially expanded small donations into meaningful campaign support. At a time when developers and special interests ignored women candidates, this innovation provided crucial financial resources and proved that women supporting women could overcome resource disparities.
Led the grassroots campaign that elected June Bulman as the first woman on Concord City Council in 1976. Through sophisticated precinct targeting and months of door-to-door organizing, a small group of passionate volunteers defeated well-funded establishment candidates. June went on to become Concord's first woman Mayor.
Provided critical early support for women who went on to decades of public service, including Sunne McPeak (County Supervisor, 15 years, state positions) and numerous others. The first Pyramid Lunch attendees included future supervisors, council members, and organizational leaders who transformed Contra Costa politics.
We discovered the power of like-minded individuals working toward a common goal; and we were ready to challenge the perceived roles society held for women. We concluded that by having more women in positions of leadership, we could create change on several levels. We would band together, combine resources and encourage women to seek elected office.