She spent the next year one of the most enriching years of my life working for Conservation International in Washington, D.C., Latin America, Africa and Europe. As we can see from her documentary work, she is keenly aware and informed of these critical issues we face as a society, Cranston said. But she went even further in Thursday's video, referring to herself as a repeat trauma survivor who'd felt responsible for her sister's accidental death in a golf cart accident when she was. Her three younger sisters were athletes, too: Melissa, Jessica and Brooke, who later played tennis at Duke. One of those privileges was there was an accident. got her into California's Stanford University, began working with Conservation International, explores the underrepresentation of women in influential roles, multiple sexual assault charges he faces in Los Angeles. Newsom has received the Emerging Artist Award from The White House Project, Champion for Kids award from Common Sense Media, and the Visionary Award from Vision 2020, among others. Her interest in acting segued into establishment of her own production company, Girls Club Entertainment, where she has developed a number of film projects, including one on gang warfare in South Central Los Angeles, and a documentary celebrating women heroes. At 12, Siebel visited Kenya and Tanzania with her family, and thats when I realized I kind of grew up in a bubble a very beautiful, magical bubble. She worked in Africa when she was 18 and again after college. When Siebel Newsom was 6, her older sister died in a golf cart accident, which she said fostered a sense of guilt and a need "to help people because I couldn't help her." Siebel Newsom said . I'm the mother of 3 young children - Montana, Hunter, and Brooklyn. Siebel has stated she carries a lot of guilt as she was present at the time of the accident. 40,000 new school counselors and other mental health professionals. Then, when a victim later comes to terms with whats happened, we say that version of events must be a lie. Siebel Newsoms parents instilled a commitment to service, and she followed in her fathers footsteps by working with the nonprofit Conservation International in Latin America and Africa in between getting her bachelors degree and an MBA at Stanford University. California first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said on Monday that former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's trial in which jurors deadlocked on Newsom's allegations of sexual assault but found him guilty of other charges showed society has "work to do.". [1] Jennifer and Gavin wed in July of the same year at her parents' ranch in Stevensville, Montana. "And that was traumatic to lose your best friend and your sister. As an adult who has young siblings who have suffered their entire lives with mental health, it's wonderful to know that more attention is being paid to our youth and their needs. Most recently, "Fair Play" focuses on the difficulties women face as they attempt to balance work and home lives. First partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom moderated a talk with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi . Weinstein, who was already two years into a 23-year sentence for a rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, faced a 24-year sentence for the Los Angeles verdict as of December 2022.[35]. In 2020, "The Great American Lie" examined racial and income inequality in the U.S. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is an incredibly brave and courageous leader who has inspired me through my work to be brave, to speak the truth, to call out the injustices in our society. [2] She grew up in the suburb of Ross, California. I had to learn to ground (them), and myself too. To improve her skills at public speaking, she began taking classes at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She heard repeatedly about children's technology addiction -- young people who rarely left their rooms because they were glued to their phones, or spent countless hours a day gaming, or were consumed by social media, or had completely disengaged from their families and friends. Hes a visionary. Newsom, who doesnt speak the language, learned what she had asked through a translator and worried his host would be offended. This romance took place back when Jennifer was a budding Hollywood actor, and, although she hasn't had much to say about it, Clooney did tell Esquire that they, "went out for a minute." Most recently, Jennifer has focused her energies on helping individuals recognize their power as consumers and citizens to right wrongs in the media and beyond. Although Newsom didn't reach celebrity status, she did snag roles in projects like "Life," "Numb3rs," and "Presidio Med," per IMDb. She honed her Spanish while living in Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers who testified against him on Monday, is no stranger to the limelight. When she was six, her older sister Stacy died at age eight from a golf cart accident. So she wrote, directed and produced the documentary film, Miss Representation, which exposes the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America and challenges the medias limited and often disparaging portrayals of women, which make it difficult for the average woman and girl to feel powerful herself. The filmmaker went on to reveal that she was once left alone with the infamous director after he requested to meet with her about a movie role. [20] While the practice is allowed by California law, outside ethics experts expressed concerns about conflicts of interest; a spokesperson for The Representation Project said Siebel Newsom had not overseen fundraising since 2015. She intends to testify at his trial to seek some measure of justice for survivors and as part of her life's work to improve the lives of women.". [7][22][23], She met Gavin Newsom on a blind date set up by a mutual friend at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in October 2006. [30], Siebel Newsom was registered as a Republican until 2008, before re-registering as No Party Preference. She knows firsthand, she said, what it feels like to be a child who's experienced loss and trauma, like so many California children have endured during the pandemic. The women's rights activist spoke about her time with the organization as part of an exhibition for the International Museum of Women in 2011. Jennifer was the oldest of four sisters and she studied at Ross Grammar School as well as The Branson School. When Siebel Newsom was 6 years old, her older sister died in an accident, leaving her to navigate grief and emotional upheaval at a young age. A one-stop online hub for youth mental health services that includes hotlines, videos and tips for parents. In December, the L.A. jury found Weinstein guilty on three counts forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object all of the same woman, identified as Jane Doe 1. Amy Cranston, executive director of the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for California, said Siebel Newsoms advocacy has helped draw attention to the youth mental health crisis and promote wellness in schools. The money will go toward a slew of programs, including: As first partner, Siebel Newsom has pushed for improved nutrition in schools, better access to the outdoors for children and other initiatives related to youth well-being. . This is a public health emergency, she said. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, married to Gov. As the governor's wife, Siebel Newsom feels she is in a unique position to merge her personal interest in young people's well-being with policies that reach regular Californians. We dont know anyone who has been raped, she told me. The activist shared that she was involved in a golf cart accident that killed her sister. A good percentage of entertainment and tech that were putting out into the world is questionable in terms of the impact its having on our kids minds and hearts and well-being, she said. We break women by ignoring the very real ramifications of sexual assault and violence against them. I was this driven, over-achieving perfectionist who excelled in sports, she says, wiping away a tear. Most recently, Fair Play focuses on the difficulties women face as they attempt to balance work and home lives. During high school, she played varsity basketball, soccer, and tennis. She won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2022, was a Pulitzer finalist for commentary in 2021, for editorial writing in 2020 and for commentary in 2019. I tried all sorts of therapies, trying to make sense of it all, trying to heal the physical manifestations of trauma. Gov. for families, schools and others to help children overcome technology addiction. In fact, the San Francisco native was recruited by Stanford after she got their attention as a talented high school soccer player, according to Marin Magazine. Siebel Newsom went on to college, earning an MBA, and then worked in Hollywood for a few years before turning her skills to documentary filmmaking. Siebel Newsom then widened her scope, focusing on how society treats men and boys with her film The Mask You Live In and exploring how gender values influence the U.S. economy in The Great American Lie, which premiered this year. Jennifer Siebel Newsom's smarts got her into California's Stanford University, where she eventually earned a Bachelor's degree in Latin American studies and a Minor in Human Biology. Privacy Policy Jennifer Siebel Newsom's eye-opening experiences as an actor led her to become a filmmaker. While the governor's recent investment will add additional school counselors to the workforce, there will be an even greater need to access films and curriculum support material such as Siebel Newsom's documentary series," Whitson said. "Through my work with Conservation International, I learned how effective micro-enterprise opportunities are in providing long-term sustainability to indigenous communities. As the governors wife, Siebel Newsom feels she is in a unique position to merge her personal interest in young peoples well-being with policies that reach regular Californians. And after all these years, it feels like were only getting started. And the chief causes for Siebel Newsom, a 45-year-old actress turned documentary filmmaker, are gender equality and societys treatment of women and families. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. I dont have to say things anymore - hes been listening for a long time, Siebel Newsom said of her husband of 11 years. Shortly after the Newsoms married, Siebel Newsom found herself dissatisfied with the roles Hollywood gave her - like the love interest of male characters and a one-episode appearance as a prostitute in the Mad Men TV series. Jennifer Siebel Newsom Biography. Gavin Newsom, became visibly appalled when asked to recreate how she faked an orgasm on the stand as she gave evidence during the sexual. Two things squelched that notion: She grew faint at the sight of blood, and her mentor-doctor in Quito seemed hardened and depressed by his work: I thought, Oh my God, I want to be happy.'. She is the director, writer, and producer of the film Miss Representation, which premiered in the documentary competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. [12], Siebel Newsom raised $101,111 on Kickstarter to fund the production of her second film The Mask You Live In, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. For 10 years, she was a reporter for The New York Times in New York, Washington, D.C., and Rome. "(We) would love to work with her and support her efforts.". The pace of her life is hectic I only sleep six hours a night and since October it has included almost weekly visits to San Francisco to be with Newsom. After completing her education, Siebel Newsom traveled to Africa, Latin America, and Europe on assignments with Conservation International, a global environmental coalition.[7]. She spent a high school summer working in the rain forests of Costa Rica. 40,000 new school counselors and other mental health professionals. (Video: Jennifer Siebel Newsom . It is our fortune to have her involved in creating impactful child-related policy as a mother of young children, a good listener, and as someone who has the sensitive and critical eye of a filmmaker that worked on related topics of significance. Let us plant more school gardens! [34] The jury was unable to reach a verdict on Newsom's accusation, and that of one of his other accusers, and a mistrial was declared on those charges. I always felt that if children could get the mental help they need at Read More. This year the Newsom administration set aside $4.7 billion for youth mental health programs in California, thought to be the country's largest-ever investment in the emotional well-being of children. . He had broken me into a million pieces., Jurors could not come to a unanimous decision on whether hed also violated Siebel Newsom during a business meeting in his hotel suite in 2005. Editorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters. Jennifer Siebel Newsom was born in San Francisco, California on 19th June, 1974. Jennifer was raised in Marin County, California and spent her summers exploring wildlife and riding horses in Montana. Since her husbands inauguration, Siebel Newsom has launched a campaign pushing California companies to pay workers equally and urged her husband to expand paid family leave. [32] In November 2022, Siebel Newsom testified in court that, in 2005, Weinstein had raped her in a hotel room, having lured her there under the pretenses of holding a professional discussion about film projects. Their extravagant destination wedding included a star-studded guest list and swanky cabins for those wealthy guests. Her agenda is cultural change", "Girlfriend, uninterrupted / Actress Jennifer Siebel is standing by her man, who happens to be Mayor Gavin Newsom, and says there's no trouble in their romance", "S.F. So Ive always known that, without your mental health, what do you have?. Newsoms wife couldnt convince Weinstein jury, what happens to ordinary women? Im always going be the person to say that the elephant in the room is technology addiction and social media addiction and everything that comes with that, she told EdSource. Gavin Newsom, nearly screamed through tears from the witness stand Monday when she told the court Harvey Weinstein . Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, praised Siebel Newsom's "consistent and insistent" efforts on behalf of California's children, families and teachers. The documentary filmmaker and politician's wife spent years as an actress in Hollywood before linking up with California's top lawmaker. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Yet they're respectful of each other. I want it to inspire young girls., Since joining the film industry, she has attracted plenty of attention for a time she dated George Clooney and many friends. How do I take care of myself? I'm married to California Lt. Prior to registering as an independent voter, she accidentally registered with the far-right American Independent Party, before correcting her party to "decline to state". Her Spanish now allows her to communicate with millions of Californians in a way that her husband cant. Siebel Newsom is the fourth woman Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting who has taken the stand in Los Angeles. And all it took was decades of pain for dozens of women, more than 90 of whom have accused him. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and actor who is married to California Gov. In 2012 Jennifer was also an Executive Producer of the Oscar-Nominated documentary, The Invisible War, which unveils the epidemic of rape in the U.S. military. She heard repeatedly about childrens technology addiction young people who rarely left their rooms because they were glued to their phones, or spent countless hours a day gaming, or were consumed by social media, or had completely disengaged from their families and friends. The film interweaves stories from teenage girls with interviews with, among others, Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rosario Dawson, and Gloria Steinem discussing the media and its message regarding women. Jennifer Siebel Newsom shocked the world with a powerful essay she wrote for HuffPost in October 2017. And that starts with the well-being-- of our children.". The former actor's interview with Marin Independent Journal revealed that she and her siblings were raised by two financially secure parents. While speaking with Mamalode, she revealed that Hollywood's inaccurate portrayals of women inspired her to produce her documentary, "Miss Representation." If Gov. As a two-hour interview moves to a close, Siebel tries to explain why she is driven to "give back." On a family vacation in Hawaii when she was 6, her sister Stacey, 8, was killed in an. [7] Siebel Newsom earned many roles in television, film, and theater. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. Only she was allowed to give a victim statement in court, where she said his crimes against her had left her feeling heartbroken, empty and alone for many years. At 28 years old, the then-aspiring star moved to Hollywood to pursue acting. During an interview with Ms. Magazine, Jennifer explained that her passion for gender equality led her to make this groundbreaking decision. Great article; provides good insights into the motivations of CAs first partner. As Californias first partner, a term she prefers to the traditional first lady because it is gender neutral and could apply to the spouse of a future woman or LGBT governor, Siebel Newsom is marrying the activism shes done through her filmmaking with the governing agenda of her husband, a Democrat in his first term leading the nations most populous state. "So, I started doing research on the representation of women in positions of power and influence and the media's misrepresentations of women.". Keep reading to find out more about Jennifer Siebel Newsom's many accomplishments. The summer after high school she played on the junior national soccer team and, in a game against France, suffered a leg injury that dogged her for years at Stanford, where she had been recruited for the soccer team. It became more hectic in March, when for an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Siebel blamed Ruby Rippey-Tourk for her much-publicized affair with Newsom.