Voices of Equality: Alice Huffman

"Freedom to Marry made the difference in the CA NAACP's effort to win marriage equality for same-sex marriage. Through their partnership and assistance, we have made significant progress in generating alliances and supporters. Their work is invaluable to Californians in the pursuit of equality and efforts to end homophobia."

Alice A. Huffman was elected president of the California State Conference of the NAACP in October 1999, where she is the first woman to hold this post. In 2002 she was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors, representing Region 1. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the oldest civil rights organization still existing and has changed the face of history for this nation and the world. As the state President Ms. Huffman leads 67 local branches, more than 30 college chapters and youth units. With her leadership, they are continuing to fight for the civil rights and equality for people of color.

Her past experience includes serving as an appointee in Governor Jerry Brown's administration where she was Chief Deputy Director of the State Parks and Recreation Department and, later Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, a cabinet level position. She also served as the Associate Executive Director for Politics for the California Teachers Association and State President o the Black American Political Association of California.

Alice is Founder and President/CEO of A.C. Public Affairs, Inc., a public affairs firm that specializes in public and grass roots advocacy. She served on the Democratic National Committee as the Co-chair for the Site-Selection Committee for the 2004 Democratic Convention. She is also a member of the Rules Committee for the California Democratic Party. Currently, Huffman serves on the board for Capitol Focus, as well as serving on T-CAP, which is a consumer advisory panel to SBC/Pacific Bell. In addition, Ms. Huffman serves as a commissioner on the "Commission for One California," that was designed to serve as a forum for diversity and understanding headed by Lieutenant Governor Bustamante of California. She has recently been appointed to Speaker Wesson's Commission on Police Conduct.

Huffman, a graduate of the University of California Berkeley with honors in Social/Cultural Anthropology, with advanced studies at University of Pennsylvania, University of California Davis, and the University of Southern California, believes learning is a life long process.

Alice was inducted into the Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee (LAAAWPAC)'s Political Hall of Fame in April 2002 for her outstanding achievements as a social activist in the minority community. Ms. Huffman is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and also the Sacramento Branch NAACP. She has been listed in Who's Who International, Who's Who Professional, and Who's Who of Politics for the past 20 years. The Los Angeles Times calls her one of the most powerful people in California. The California Journal listed her as one of the top 50 individuals who had the greatest impact on California over the last 25 years and her local African American Newspaper, The Sacramento Observer, annually includes her in its 100 most influential citizens.

"In a place like California, you cannot possibly work for rights if you don't work for gay rights. You either believe in the rights of everyone or you are in the wrong business."

"Freedom to Marry made the difference in the CA NAACP's effort to win marriage equality for same-sex marriage. Through their partnership and assistance, we have made significant progress in generating alliances and supporters. Their work is invaluable to Californians in the pursuit of equality and efforts to end homophobia."

"Never before has such a diverse array of groups stepped forward to call for an end to the unfair treatment faced by same-sex couples and their families when they are denied the ability to marry."

— Alice Huffman, President of the CA Conference of the NAACP. Los Angeles Times, 1/11/2006, 250 diverse groups file a lawsuit challenging CA to legalize marriage.

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