December 15, 2021
Jenny Tse was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from San Jose State University in 2016. That year, both California and San Francisco had very long ballots filled with dozens of complicated ballot measures. After looking at her ballot, Jenny realized she needed a better way to make informed choices on Election Day.
After an online search through MeetUp, Jenny found the League of Women Voters of San Francisco’s Pros & Cons forum. Soon after, she joined the voter service team, and as time passed, Jenny’s role changed to include a role on the ballot recommendation team.
These days, Jenny serves as the League of Women Voters San Francisco (LWVSF)Advocacy Co-Chair. Jenny was a founding member of the LWV of California Criminal Justice Task Force in 2018 and helped to develop its criminal justice position that was adopted in 2019. In 2020, Jenny became co-chair of the LWVC Criminal Justice Committee.
One of Jenny’s most notable contributions has been through her work on the LWVC’s Criminal Justice Reform Committee. Criminal justice reform became a greater area of interest for Jenny during the past decade of police involved shootings in San Francisco. Recently, one of the victims turned out to be a friend from elementary school.
“It brought home how justice issues impact everyone. I am most proud of bringing our state level criminal justice reform position to fruitiation with the goal of making it a national position since when I joined, it didn't exist,” Jenny commented.
Jenny is very proud of the League’s long history of voting rights activism and sees a bright future for the organization in other issues areas like criminal justice reform and the climate crisis. “There are so many opportunities where the League could lend its name for advocacy efforts,” she added.
Why would she tell you to join the League?
“If you have an issue you are very passionate about and you want to get involved at a local or state level, the League gives you opportunities to learn and impact others,” Jenny stated. “One of the most gratifying parts of being in the League are the intergenerational interactions. It is rewarding to get insight from different generations and points of view,” she added.
Outside of her busy League life, Jenny is an avid open-water swimmer. She swims in the San Francisco Bay, including nine swims to Alcatraz and four swims along the Golden Gate Bridge.
“Open water swimming has been one of my bright spots during COVID, and has taught me a lot about myself and what I'm capable of doing if I work at it,” added Jenny.