Geraldine    F.    Steinberg

May 30, 1925 - May 22, 2021


By: Samantha Yip

Environmentalist, County Supervisor, 

Attorney, and Passionate Volunteer


Geraldine F. Steinberg, who often went by Gerry, was a female pioneer in local politics and master negotiator who cared deeply about helping her community and protecting the environment.

Early Life and Education


Steinberg was born on May 30, 1925 in Cook County, Illinois, to Julia Zuckerman and Albert Tabin. She grew up in Illinois and attended Roycemore High School, where she was a soprano in her school’s glee club. 

Roycemore High School Yearbook, 1941.  Retrieved from Ancestry.com


After graduating high school, she attended Vassar College.  One year after beginning college, she married her husband, Goodwin B. Steinberg on May 7, 1944.



After graduating college, she audited a Constitutional Law class at Northwestern University, which inspired her to start law school at the University of Illinois.

The Move to California...


In 1952, after studying law for two years, Steinberg moved to the Bay Area with her husband and two children. Soon after, she gave birth to her third child. 

In 1960, Steinberg decided to continue to pursue her law degree at Stanford University. At the time, law was a heavily male dominated profession - there were only four women in her graduating class!



After passing the state bar, Steinberg served as deputy county counsel for Santa Clara County from 1965 to 1967. She then transitioned to private practice in 1967. 

Her First Foray Into Politics

1970

In 1970, Steinberg and her neighbors spoke out against the Permanente Cement Company's mining operation in the hills near their houses. After meeting with county officials and corporate leaders, she was able to limit the mining plans. 

The County Supervisor at the time, Victor Calvo, was so impressed with her work that he nominated her to serve as Planning Commissioner for the district. 

1972

In 1972, Steinberg was the first woman to be appointed to the Santa Clara County Planning Commission and trail blazed a path for other women to follow. She worked tirelessly to plan land developments that would help the community’s economy yet not harm the environment. 

Environmentalism

As an ardent environmentalist herself, Steinberg was also a strong supporter of mass transit, improving air quality, and conservation.

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors (1974-1980)

1974

In 1974, Steinberg was appointed to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. 

Swearing In

Geraldine Steinberg swearing in as Supervisor in 1974

https://sccbosarchive.org/s/home/item/3604,  Public Domain.

At Work

Steinberg with supervisors Sig Sanchez and Dom Cortese in 1974

https://sccbosarchive.org/s/home/item/3594,   Public Domain.

1976

In 1976, Steinberg ran for and became the first woman to be elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. 

Steinberg's Campaign Promise Postcard to Citizens of the 5th District

https://sccbosarchive.org/s/home/item/3600, Public Domain.

1976 Board of Supervisors

Pictured Below: Geraldine Steinberg with supervisors Sig Sanchez, Dom Cortese, Dan McCorquodale, and Rod Diridon.

1977

Later on in 1977, she also became the first woman to chair the Santa County Board of Supervisors.

Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

One of her main focuses was to establish Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. At the time, the county already had a small park, but Steinberg advocated for the purchase of the 393 acre Perham Ranch to expand the park. To this day, Rancho San Antonio continues to be open to the public and is a popular hiking and biking destination. 

Steinberg reflects on her role in the Santa Clara County government

"I was never going to be a career politician, I was there because I was interested in a local issue that was very important to me"

- Geraldine Steinberg on her journey to joining the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

National Women's Conference

1977

Alongside five other women from Santa Clara County, Steinberg attended the National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas, as a California delegate and supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.




Steinberg with the Santa Clara County NWC delegates: San Jose Vice Mayor, Susanne Wilson, Vicki Molina of Morgan Hill and farm worker activist, Beatrice Coffey, a commissioner for the Women's Commission on the Status of Women, and Diana Iguchi, a management analyst for the county.


Susanne B. Wilson Digital Collection, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. Permission to use granted.

Women's Rights

Steinberg was a strong advocate of women’s rights, and actively showed her support during her time as county supervisor. She frequently worked with the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a commission which aimed to eliminate discrimination in Santa Clara County.  

For instance, Steinberg was heavily involved in “Unity Through Awareness,” a minority women’s conference hosted by the Santa Clara County Commission in September of 1979. Keynote speakers at the conference included Chicana Rights Project lawyer Carmen Estrada, disability rights activist Judith Heumann, California Indian Health Services Chief, as well as gay rights activist Del Martin. 

Letter to Supervisor Steinberg regarding the unanimous resolution passed by the Commission on the Status of Women.

https://sccbosarchive.org/s/home/item/3592, Public Domain.




Per CSW Director Rina Rosenberg, Steinberg “not only [...] participate[d] in the conference proceedings throughout the day, but [her] involvement and personal commitment created a fantastic atmosphere which reflected the main purpose of the conference “UNITY.” "


Images Throughout Her Time as County Supervisor

Steinberg (right) with Janet Gray Hayes (left), San Jose's first female mayor.

Janet Gray Hayes papers, MSS-2002-01, San José State University Library Special Collections and Archives. Permission to use granted.

Steinberg with California Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Bird, Susanne Wilson and Rod Diridon. Steinberg, Wilson, and Diridon served together on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

Susanne B. Wilson Digital Collection, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. Permission to use granted.

Steinberg (middle) with Susanne Wilson (right) and Rina Rosenberg (left).

Susanne B. Wilson Digital Collection, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. Permission to use granted.

Community Service

Throughout her lifetime, Steinberg actively gave back to her community. She started and served as the executive director of the East Palo Alto Community Law Project in 2002, which aimed to provide free legal services for members of the community who could not afford lawyers. This organization continues to remain active today under Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA). 

Additionally, Steinberg founded and served as the president of New Seed Foundation, an organization that supports women and children through hardships. 

Legacy

Steinberg passed away on May 22, 2021 at age 95. She is survived by her sons Robert and Thomas, her daughter Joan, and many grandchildren.

Driven by her dedication to her community, Steinberg had the remarkable ability of addressing the concerns of multiple interest groups and successfully reaching agreements without compromising her commitment to environmental and women’s causes.

Sources