Longshore DeGolia
From Courtroom to Council Chambers
"A New Breed of Public Servant"
From Courtroom to Council Chambers
"A New Breed of Public Servant"
Longshore DeGolia's journey from business owner to barrier breaker to political pioneer embodies the transformation of women's roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She didn't set out to become a feminist icon—she simply wanted to run a successful business, serve her community, and make life better for families. In doing so, she opened doors for countless others.
When Longshore and her partners opened Pacific Home Rentals in 1973, they joined the Concord Chamber of Commerce eager to build their business through networking. But they discovered a startling barrier: women were barred from the Trade Club—the only committee that was social in nature, and precisely the one designed for making business contacts.
As the only Concord-based partner, Longshore agreed to serve as their spokesperson and became extensively involved in Chamber activities. But the Trade Club restriction grew in significance. She requested time on the Chamber board agenda to argue for change.
Her research uncovered that two women had protested before: Helen Bryant, owner of a funeral home, and Clara Hook, staff member to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, had picketed a Trade Club event. Their effort hadn't succeeded, but Longshore built upon their foundation and persuaded the Chamber board that their policy was unacceptable.
From Business Owner to Barrier Breaker to Political Pioneer
Opened Pacific Home Rentals in Concord with two partners. Joined the Chamber of Commerce and discovered women were barred from the Trade Club—the only social networking committee. Researched prior protests by Helen Bryant and Clara Hook, then successfully persuaded the Chamber board to end this discriminatory policy, opening business opportunities for all women.
Became deeply involved in quality of life issues affecting central Contra Costa County. Advocated for adequate affordable housing, quality childcare that didn't bankrupt parents, economic development, and family-sustaining jobs. Her rental business gave acute awareness of housing discrimination against unmarried individuals.
Ran her first "homespun" campaign for Concord City Council at the last minute. Despite having no formal campaign committee, less than $4,000 in donations, hand-made yard signs, and no union outreach, she finished strong in fourth place—right behind "C." Ray, a candidate with significant name recognition. The experience taught crucial lessons about campaigning.
Attended National Women's Political Caucus "See How She Runs" all-day training session. Learned to "look to your base for support"—members of her Soroptimist Club and NWPC became active in her campaign. Built relationships with elected officials including County Supervisor Sunne McPeak and Sheriff Richard Rainey. Developed the coalition and skills that would lead to victory.
Elected to Concord City Council in 1980, serving with distinction for nine years. Brought a new style of accessible governance—frequently visiting City Hall to meet with staff and discuss concerns. Helped increase transparency of governmental affairs. Served as Mayor during her tenure. Called her service "one of the most gratifying experiences of my life."
Successfully reelected to Concord City Council, demonstrating strong community support for her accessible leadership style and focus on quality-of-life issues. Her second campaign benefited from the coalition-building and campaign skills learned from the NWPC training and her 1978 experience.
Served as Mayor of Concord, bringing the "new breed of public servant" philosophy to the city's highest office. Continued her commitment to transparent, accessible government and community-focused policymaking. Her mayoral term represented the culmination of a journey that began with challenging gender discrimination at the Chamber of Commerce.
Expanded her voice beyond Concord city boundaries, building relationships and influence at the county level. Worked on regional issues affecting central Contra Costa, maintaining her focus on economic development, housing, and quality of life that could support families throughout the area.
Continued community involvement after leaving City Council. Shared family history research as featured speaker at Contra Costa County Genealogical Society. Her legacy lives on in the more accessible, transparent style of governance she helped establish, and in the doors she opened for women in business and politics throughout Contra Costa County.
Longshore's business—helping renters find homes—brought acute awareness of housing costs and discrimination. This was a time when landlords were permitted to discriminate against unmarried individuals, making finding a home difficult for a significant population.
The 1970s marked a time when citizens in Contra Costa County were tiring of lengthy commutes. Concord had been a bedroom community, and efforts were underway to expand job opportunities closer to home. Longshore saw the bigger picture: adequate affordable housing, quality childcare that didn't bankrupt parents, economic development, and family-sustaining jobs.
As someone "always looking for Mary Poppins to care for her two children," childcare hit way too close to home. Pressure for double incomes and single-parent households created stress on an already strained service.
Longshore never imagined becoming formally involved in the political arena until Concord was considering a sign ordinance that would impact her livelihood. During discussions with her attorney and friend Julius Cohen, he encouraged her to run for city council.
Her reaction? She enumerated the obstacles: "I wasn't a male, hadn't served in the military, didn't have a college degree and was divorced." Those objections reflected what characterized council members at that time. The only woman ever elected to Concord City Council was Rosalie Sher, who had served one term several years before.
Time passed. Longshore remarried. Pacific Home Rentals faded into memory, and she became a partner in Aldrich Real Estate. Her community involvement grew, and she applied for the Planning Commission. But her status as a real estate broker was cited as a reason she wouldn't be appointed—supposedly to avoid "insider information" temptations.
When another opening came up, she applied again. Same result. The inability to serve on the Planning Commission, the example of June Bulman's election to City Council in 1976, unwavering encouragement from Julius Cohen, and newly surfaced supporters made her reconsider running for office.
What Longshore didn't factor into her considerations: she knew nothing about campaigning. Nevertheless, she decided at the last minute to run in the 1978 city council race against incumbents Bill Dixon and Richard La Pointe and frequent candidate Charles "C." Ray.
"What a homespun campaign!" she reflects. The weaknesses were many: no formal campaign committee, donations totaling less than $4,000, yard signs hand-made in her garage, brochure photographs of poor quality, and in a town where union support was crucial, she didn't meet with any labor leaders.
Yet she made a strong showing—fourth place, right behind "C." Ray, someone with significant name recognition.
Shortly after deciding to try for a council seat one more time, a Bay Area chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus held an all-day session titled "See How She Runs". Meeting so many women eager to discover how to have a different say in their lives was inspiring.
A key point made during the training: look to your base for support. Since Longshore came from a business background melded with community involvement, members of her local Soroptimist Club became active in her bid for election. Members of the National Women's Political Caucus pitched in too.
Outreach to unions began immediately, as well as connecting with elected officials like County Supervisor Sunne McPeak and Sheriff Richard Rainey, both of whom would be very supportive in the 1980 election and beyond.
The lessons from "See How She Runs" stood her in good stead. Longshore assumed office in April 1980.
"Women were changing the face of politics and I was just one of many who were taking part in the democratic process firsthand," Longshore recalls. Business at city hall showed signs of responding to new influences.
Where once council members rarely visited city hall and met with staff, the new breed of politician thought nothing of frequenting city offices to discuss items of concern. Women's participation also led to increasing transparency of governmental affairs.
Longshore DeGolia's journey from business owner barred from the Chamber Trade Club to City Council member and Mayor embodies the transformation of women's roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She fought not just for women's rights, but for quality-of-life issues that affected entire communities: affordable housing, economic development, childcare, and transparent government.
Her willingness to challenge discrimination, learn from defeat, and build coalitions across business, labor, and community organizations made her an effective change agent. By serving on the Concord City Council from 1980-1989, including a term as Mayor, she helped bring a new style of accessible, hands-on governance to City Hall.
Her story reminds us that progress often comes from unexpected places—from business owners who simply want a fair chance to network, from women who enumerate all the reasons they "can't" run and then run anyway, and from those who see beyond gender politics to the bigger picture of community well-being.
Longshore DeGolia didn't set out to be a feminist icon. She set out to run a successful business, serve her community, and make life better for families struggling with housing costs and childcare challenges. In doing so, she broke down barriers that opened doors for countless others.
From confronting the Chamber of Commerce's discriminatory Trade Club policy to learning campaign skills at "See How She Runs," from her homespun 1978 campaign to her successful 1980 election, her journey shows that change happens when determined individuals refuse to accept "no" as an answer.
"A New Breed of Public Servant"