A Visual Journey Through Time
Ohio EPA Headquarters—Norma worked on staff of the first Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
From Pennsylvania Roots to California Leadership
Precinct Walker → Environmental Pioneer → Regional Leader
Growing up in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, a small borough of 9,000, young Norma Jellison learned the meaning of civic duty by watching her father. He was a precinct captain, and she remembers hearing him talk about walking precincts, meeting neighbors at the polling places, and knowing the mayor and council members not as distant politicians but as "sincere concerned neighbors and family friends."
On Memorial Day, she helped her father place flags and flowers on veterans' graves in local cemeteries. He volunteered countless hours with the local VFW, organizing fundraisers and benefits. These experiences planted seeds that would blossom into a lifelong commitment to public service.
"All this translated into a strong sense of the importance of volunteering for one's community," Norma reflects. In high school, she ran for office and joined civic organizations. In college, she majored in Political Science, fully embracing her passion for civic engagement.
Worked on staff of Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the first Ohio Environmental Protection Agency—one of only a handful of women in management positions in the emerging field of environmental protection.
Avid white water rafter, kayaker, camper, and birder. Lived her environmental values through direct engagement with the natural world, cultivating gardens and "walking softly on the earth."
Attended the first Earth Day event in Pittsburgh, planting trees and beginning a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship that would shape her political career.
Served on El Cerrito Planning Commission (1987-1989), poised to become Chair before colleagues urged her to run for City Council—launching her political career.
Elected in 1989 to an El Cerrito City Council composed of four women and one man. They jokingly called him their "token male"—a remarkable reversal in local government representation.
First mayoral term (1991-1992) coincided with state budget crisis. Presided over difficult budget cuts and position eliminations—"one that cost me a lot of sleep."
Served on Board of League of California Cities, East Bay Division, as President for two years. Shaped policy and legislation impacting cities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
Continues environmental advocacy from Bodega Bay today, volunteering with Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and whale watching programs—bringing her passion full circle.
Worked on staff of Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the first Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. One of only a handful of women in management positions in the emerging field of environmental protection.
Volunteered driving delegates at the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco—the year Geraldine Ferraro made history as the first woman nominated as Vice Presidential candidate for a major party.
Moved to California "to be in a place that supported the environment." After graduate school in Public Administration and Environmental Management, went to work at Association of Bay Area Governments on the Bay Area Environmental Management Plan.
Served on El Cerrito Planning Commission, poised to become Chair when colleagues urged her to run for City Council. Gained valuable local government experience.
Elected to El Cerrito City Council in 1989. Walking precincts felt like "walking in my Dad's footsteps, only this time I was running for the office." The City Council was composed of four women and one man—they jokingly called him their "token male."
Being second in number of votes meant becoming Mayor in her third year. "And oh what a year it was to be Mayor." The State took away millions of dollars from cities to balance the State budget. "I had to preside over cutting positions... Not a fun experience and one that cost me a lot of sleep."
Believed "it takes until the fourth year in office to really grasp fully the import of the job and hit full stride," so ran for a second term. Served as Mayor for almost two years (1995-1997), gaining the experience and confidence to lead effectively.
Served on Board of League of California Cities, East Bay Division (covering Alameda and Contra Costa County cities) and served as its President for two years. Gained "exposure to the legislative process and an opportunity to help shape policy and bills that would ultimately impact cities large and small."
Left office after eight years in keeping with an unwritten City Council policy: no one would serve more than two terms. The philosophy was to "allow for fresh ideas, to encourage citizens to volunteer and participate in their community as an elected official and to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to serve."
Continues commitment to environmental stewardship from home in Bodega Bay. Volunteers with Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and participates in whale watch programs, bringing lifelong passion for the natural world full circle.
Norma's professional journey began in Ohio state government, where she worked on the staff of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the first Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. She was one of a handful of women in management positions—a pioneer in the emerging field of environmental protection.
Her father's love for the forest surrounding the family home and for all the plants and animals that called it home had shaped her environmental consciousness. She remembers planting trees after attending the first Earth Day event in Pittsburgh, cultivating a large garden and orchard, making food from garden products, and "otherwise walking softly on the earth."
Her passion for the environment extended to her recreational life. Norma became an avid white water rafter, kayaker, camper, and birder—someone who lived her environmental values through direct engagement with the natural world.
Working on a friend's campaign for El Cerrito City Council gave Norma "a taste of local campaigning in CA." She then served on the El Cerrito Planning Commission and was poised to become Chair when colleagues urged her to run for City Council.
She wasn't entering uncharted territory—women had served on El Cerrito City Council many times before. Jean Siri was on the Council at the time and impressed Norma "with her verve and wit, not to mention passion for the job." But what happened next was still remarkable.
Walking precincts felt like "walking in my Dad's footsteps, only this time I was running for the office." Her campaign committee was led by Julie Rogers, "a smart, politically savvy woman," and thanks to her and other fine El Cerritans of both parties, Norma was elected in 1989. The City Council was composed of four women and one man—they jokingly called him their "token male."
Being second in number of votes meant Norma became Mayor in her third year in office (1991-1992). "And oh what a year it was to be Mayor," she recalls with unmistakable emotion.
It was the year the State took away millions of dollars from cities to balance the State budget. "I had to preside over cutting positions. But more importantly it meant losing good people, who I had learned to value as dedicated employees."
"Not a fun experience and one that cost me a lot of sleep."
But Norma didn't give up. She believed "it takes until the fourth year in office to really grasp fully the import of the job and hit full stride," so she ran for a second term. She served as Mayor for almost two years during that term (1995-1997), gaining the experience and confidence to lead effectively.
As a young girl, I recall hearing my Dad talk about walking precincts—he was a precinct captain in our hometown—Coraopolis, Pennsylvania... All this translated into a strong sense of the importance of volunteering for one's community.
Jean Siri was on the Council and impressed me with her verve and wit, not to mention passion for the job. Women had served on the El Cerrito City Council many times—truly groundbreakers for women electeds in Contra Costa County.
The City Council was composed of four women and one man! We jokingly called him our token male.
I had to preside over cutting positions. But more importantly it meant losing good people, who I had learned to value as dedicated employees. Not a fun experience and one that cost me a lot of sleep.
Women bring an entirely different perspective to office. They are generally more collaborative, bigger picture oriented and problem solvers of a creative nature. Multi tasking comes second nature and negotiating skills honed to a T.
Keep the flame burning bright and show the way for future women to join the ranks and contribute to the well being and growth of our communities.
Norma Jellison brought the values of her Pennsylvania upbringing—hard work, community service, environmental stewardship—to California's political landscape. As one of the first women in environmental management in Ohio, as a Mayor during fiscal crisis, as a regional leader shaping policy for cities across the East Bay, she demonstrated that women's voices and perspectives are essential to good governance.
From her father's precinct walks in Pennsylvania to her own campaigns in California, from the first Earth Day in Pittsburgh to whale watching in Bodega Bay, Norma's life embodies the connection between environmental stewardship and civic engagement.
She walked in her father's footsteps—and blazed trails for others to follow.
"Towns and cities can't do it without women elected officials. Nor should they."