The Marian Bergeson Excellence in Public Service Series was established in 2004 by dedicated and energetic Republican women members of the California Women’s Leadership Association (CWLA). Their goal: to inspire, empower and advance Republican women through education, training and experience. They wanted to honor Marian Bergeson, the first woman in California elected to both the Assembly and Senate and currently sits on the California Transportation Commission.
The Bergeson Series is a highly-regarded, competitive program that seeks to increase the number of Republican women in elected, appointed political, volunteer, and staff positions at the local, state, and federal levels. As a result of the Series’ broad scope and access to those in government and politics, Bergeson Scholars benefit from training, mentoring, and a greatly expanded network of political relationships. The Series’ curriculum includes fundraising, media training, the Constitution, economic development, ethics, and more. Scholars attend monthly seminars from January through July and the Series culminates with a graduation ceremony held in September in conjunction with the California Republican Convention. Seminars are held in various locations in Northern and Southern California, and in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., as well.