Why I back Barton
At the Solano Library Foundation's Author's Luncheon in 2017, I met Jennifer Barton after the event concluded and the speakers, board members like myself were networking and sharing that magnificent impact theme: “Nevertheless She Persisted” — honoring women who fight all forms of discrimination against women. The audience of over 300 people were lifted up, inspired by real stories of honorees like Pati Navalta, Vallejo's Poet Laureate Dr. Genea Brice, and Jennifer Barton.
While I admired her story deeply, I wondered what mother and father raised such a strong-willed public servant and right for women's equality and recognition for service to their community. Jennifer simply nudged me to meet her father right there. He reminded me of my father who was an extraordinary family man, electrical contractor and someone who helped so many people in his life under various difficult circumstances with minimal resources, but a heart full of compassion and spirit loaded with divine persona. There it was, a kind, accomplished man and activist daughter.
That was it for me. In the coming months, I learned more about Jennifer's life, contribution and strong activism to inspire and lift youth and women as a local businesswoman who worked in state politics and has long been involved in serving the Solano community, and has announced a run for the county's Board of Supervisors, District 3 seat. An impressive 30 years of working to help the county and citizens move forward for the better is something no one can ignore. Serving as Chief of Staff for a California Assemblymember, Jennifer appears more than qualified in a thorough grasp of both the Assembly and the people – and all the moving parts for effective policy and implementation to improve the lives of citizens, taxpayers, school children and youth.
Jennifer has served as policy director for three state legislators, chaired the Solano County Planning Commission, was instrumental in securing funding for the First 5 Solano Children and Families Center in Fairfield and is a cofounder of the Solano County Commission for Women and Girls Last, but not least, Jennifer volunteers with the Girl Scouts and Solano County Library Foundation, is a member of the Soroptimist International of Central Solano County and owns Barton Consulting, through which she provides valuable advice to many non-profits, businesses and campaigns.
My hope is that Jennifer is elected to combine her lifetime knowledge and expertise and lift the much-ignored towns of Vallejo and Rio Vista in a county that desperately needs her powerful network of people and resources at various levels. I am honored and delighted to support Jennifer Barton for Solano County Dist-3 Supervisor.
— Ravi C. Shankar/Vallejo