Delaine Eastin, a trailblazer who was one of a handful of women ever elected to statewide office in California, has died after suffering a stroke, according to her representatives. She was 76 years old.
“Delaine will be remembered for her boundless intelligence, her infinitely compassionate spirit, her keen sense of humor and her courageous leadership in local, state, national and international arenas,” those close to Eastin said in a statement. published after his death on April 23. Her love of education, children, animals, gardens and the arts shines through in everything she does.
The first and only woman elected superintendent of public schools, Eastin and her then-husband were unable to have children. After winning the job in 1994, Eastin recalled telling him, “You have 6.1 million children now. »
This philosophy was rooted in Eastin’s core beliefs. She grew up in a working-class family that emphasized the importance of education. Her father, a machinist from Appalachia, gave her $1 for every poem she memorized, put a second mortgage on the family home to pay for college, and cried at graduation.
“Education changed my life forever,” Eastin told the Times in 2018 during his run for governor of California. “I want that for every child.”
Born in 1947 in San Diego, Eastin grew up primarily in San Carlos. Although neither his father nor mother, a San Francisco store clerk, attended college, both prioritized school.
“My father said education gave you choices,” Eastin recalled in 2018. “He felt like he didn’t always have a choice. »
Educators played a critical role in shaping her future, she added, including a Carlmont High School drama teacher who urged her to try out for a role in “The Man Who Came to Dinner “. When she hesitated, he said, “It’s a metaphor for your whole life.” If you never try, you’ll never get the role.
After winning the role, Eastin said that advice stuck with him.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in 1969 and a master’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in 1971, both in political science, then taught at community colleges and worked in the private sector before running for office. Eastin was elected to the Union City City Council in 1980, then represented parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties in the state Legislature from 1986 to 1992.
She was one of the few female parliamentarians at the time.
“Women were especially close to each other in those days,” Eastin told the Orange County Register in 2023. “Women took care of each other because we kind of had to, because we were laid off or criticized in some cases, unless we do so. defended themselves. »
“I remember in the beginning there were people who wouldn’t let me get on the membership elevator because I was a girl and I couldn’t be a member,” Eastin recalls, noting that At one point, an assembly leader referred to the legislative women’s caucus as the “Lipstick Caucus.” He finally apologized.
Eastin’s colleagues from the time remembered her as a mentor.
“Damn, was I lucky!” In 1990, I was a brand new lawmaker and Delaine took me under her wing,” said former Sen. DeDe Alpert, who served in the state Assembly with Eastin. “His knowledge and leadership skills helped me resolve policy and policy issues. At a time when there were not many women in the Legislative Assembly, she was a formidable leader who made it her mission to attract new female MPs. She was so generous with her time and talent.
Eastin was later elected superintendent of public instruction, from 1995 to 2003.
“His dedication and foresight to nurturing and preparing students for the future laid the foundation for what has been possible for our students today,” wrote Tony Thurmond, the current superintendent of public instruction, on social media, highlighting Eastin’s focus on universal preschool education, nutrition. and celebrate educators.
Eastin unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018. Although she lacked the necessary fundraising ability and statewide name recognition to win the seat, Eastin won the admiration of his Democratic rivals and party activists.
They praised her story, her beliefs, and her spirit, such as when she was asked about student testing during a gubernatorial debate and responded, “You don’t fatten a pig by weighing it more often.” . »
Eastin is survived by two women she considered her “chosen daughters,” Daisy Gonzales, a former foster child who serves as vice chancellor of the state’s community college system, and Maha Ibrahim, an attorney with Equal Rights Advocates.
“Delaine taught us that leadership is about values and allowing the next generation to find their voice. Education was the tool to spark change,” Gonzales said.
“Delaine also taught me that family can take many different forms,” she added. “She had complete trust and love for future generations and was not afraid of what is different or new. She was a pioneer, a hero and a mentor to many. For Maha and me, she was also family.
Eastin is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life is expected to take place this summer in Davis.
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