I was this driven, over-achieving perfectionist who excelled in sports, she says, wiping away a tear. 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. When children experience these challenges, we have to realize its not their fault. Her father, the son of steel mill workers, put himself through college on a scholarship and then went into the wealth management business where Siebel Newsom said he reaped benefits from so-called Reaganomics that favored less taxes and government regulation. During high school, she played varsity . In 2020, The Great American Lie examined racial and income inequality in the U.S. Sarah Morris / Getty Images Jennifer Siebel Newsom, filmmaker and the wife of California Gov. Beyond the camera, Siebel Newsom has been a persistent, outspoken advocate in her husband's administration for students experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression and other emotional hardships. [20] A subsequent investigation by Open The Books, a government transparency organization, found the Representation Project was out of compliance with California charity registration requirements which disclose fundraising activity. [13][14], Siebel Newsom's third film was The Great American Lie.[15]. Newsom was a well-rounded student and was also involved in sports. Husband of Jennifer Siebel Newson She has had mini-roles in films like Somethings Got To Give with Jack Nicholson and larger parts on several TV dramas and in independent films like The Trouble With Romance, which premiered last month at the Cinequest in San Francisco. The mom of four reminisced on her college years while speaking to Marin Independent Journal. "I will always bear the responsibility of our children in a way Gavin never will," she wrote. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your comments. Today, when shes not running her non-profit MissRepresentation.org, Newsom serves as a board member for PBSs Northern California affiliate KQED, a Global Advisory Board member of the Dove Self Esteem Project (DSEP), and a commissioner on the Girl Scouts Healthy MEdia Commission. 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. I always felt that if children could get the mental help they need at Read More. [7] Siebel Newsom earned many roles in television, film, and theater. Jennifer Siebel Newsom speaks at the "Bans Off Our Bodies" reproductive rights rally at Los Angeles City Hall on May 14, 2022. 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.'. [28] In 2019, Siebel Newsom and her family moved to Fair Oaks, California. In conjunction with a group she founded, California Partners Project, she used the information to create toolkits for families, schools and others to help children overcome technology addiction. Jennifer defines herself as a sensitive woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. Editorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters. Siebel has stated she carries a lot of guilt as she was present at the time of the accident. This is a public health emergency, she said. 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. 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She knows fully well that comprehensive mental health services in California schools have been inadequate. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011, followed by her launch of The Representation Project nonprofit group that writes curricula about gender in media. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, United States Actor. They hold onto trauma, and that trauma manifests in multiple ways. 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. 310899-6026 All Rights Reserved. She later graduated with honors from Stanford . It didn't make sense to me that I should be devaluing my accomplishments to achieve 'success.'" . "Throughout the trial, Weinstein's lawyers used sexism, misogyny, and . [6][7][8], Siebel Newsom is the second oldest of five girls and attended Ross Grammar School and The Branson School. However, my main personal mental health interest is about stopping the criminal lack of meaningful treatment for adults with serious mental illness. But she went even further in Thursdays video, referring to herself as a repeat trauma survivor whod felt responsible for her sisters accidental death in a golf cart accident when she was only 6, then had been sexually assaulted by a high school classmate and by the trusted coach of her national soccer team. She explained that she lived with guilt for years after the accident. I really grew up thinking Reagan was the end-all, be-all and then when I started delving into research around his policies and saw the outcomes, I realized that I didnt associate with those policies and didnt think those were the smartest, she said. "As Gavin introduced me to various women in politics, I saw a complete disconnect between these powerful women in the real world and how the media portrayed powerful women," the movie maker explained. Let us plant more school gardens! The couple said their vows just months after their engagement on a ranch in Montana, per SFGate. When she was six, her older sister Stacy died at age eight from a golf cart accident. But Sanchez Ceren didnt seem fazed and gave a lengthy answer about progress and work that remains. I'm a social justice documentary filmmaker, and an advocate for women, girls, and their families. We have discussions that Im not always interested in having, but Im always listening to (my dads) perspective and hoping hes listening to mine, she said. Gavin Newsom, testified against Harvey Weinstein on Monday in Los Angeles, becoming the fourth woman to accuse the fallen Miramax magnate of . 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. Its personal. And I really am focused on self-care, because I know that it's challenging being a working mother, but we're needed. Jennifer lived a life of privilege, grounded in a family ethos that wanted to improve the world and save the environment. 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. I always felt that if children could get the mental help they need at a young age it could potentially prevent them from having mental hardships as adults. 2023 EdSource. "Considering what's going on in the country and the world, it's critical that California succeeds right now. READ ALSO: Jennifer Siebel Newsom Husband: Who Is Gavin Newsom? Governor Gavin Newsom celebrates birth of his baby boy", "More Bay Area transplants: Gavin Newson bought Sacramento's most expensive home in 2019", "Boies Schiller law firm loses several attorneys over issues involving Harvey Weinstein, Elizabeth Holmes, founder's kids", "Newsom's girlfriend stumbles into wrong party", "California governor's wife among accusers at Weinstein trial", "Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Gov. My friends say I am way too open and trusting.. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Gov. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Streamlined Medi-Cal coverage for young people to receive free mental health services. First partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has spent decades spotlighting, examining and uplifting the mental well-being of young people. The couple got engaged in 2008 while Gavin was still the mayor of San Francisco. 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. Jennifer was raised in Marin County, California and spent her summers exploring wildlife and riding horses in Montana. But in the video the first partner posted after his Thursday sentencing, she said some really important things. [10] The film went on to screen at numerous other festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival, Athena Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the Palo Alto International Film Festival. As an adult who has young siblings who have suffered their entire lives with mental health, its wonderful to know that more attention is being paid to our youth and their needs. Gavin Newsom said in a recent interview he should have expected his wifes forthrightness. Thursdays sentencing means that whatever comes of Weinsteins appeal in New York, where hes currently serving 23 years, the Oscar-winning rapist will almost certainly spend the rest of his life watching that awards ceremony from behind bars. This trauma settles within the very cells of our DNA, and it passes down from generation to generation.. Melinda Henneberger is The Sacramento Bees local columnist. This realization may have been what led Newsom to become a gender equality advocate as California's first partner. I spend time with my family. And, she is currently writing, directing, and producing her next documentary series, The Mask You Live In, which exposes the extremes of masculinity imposed on our boys and men and the resulting sociological, economic, and political impact. Newsom began working with Conservation Internationalafter receiving her undergraduate degree, and her volunteer work allowed her to travel the world. With the pandemic, the surge in youth technology use, and a general increase in vitriol and polarization, she said she feels a sense of urgency about her job and the stakes for California's children. But what Harvey Weinstein did to me was the worst, she said. One of her solutions to these challenges is to get young people outside more, and to eat more-nutritious food. for youth mental health services that includes hotlines, videos and tips for parents. In 2020, "The Great American Lie" examined racial and income inequality in the U.S. See Jennifer Siebel Newsom, MBA's video on Meet Jennifer Siebel Newsom Inspiring stories about mothers taking a stand, Women reduced to Barbie Dolls despite achievement, Advice for parents: hyper-sexualization of our girls with slutty Halloween costumes, Boys and media and "The Mask You Live In", How dads can make a difference and support their daughters, How girls can find their voice in the classroom, How parents can create positive images for daughters, How parents can raise their daughters beyond youth, beauty & sexuality, How parents should handle offensive media with their kids, Making the documentary Miss Representation, The effects of athletics on girls' self esteem, The reality of sexual assault in the military, What Jennifer Siebel Newsom hopes everyone learns from Miss Representation, What parents can do in a culture of hyper-sexualization and pornography, What parents should tell their children about commercials, More Parenting Videos from Jennifer Siebel Newsom, MBA >, Three important rules about your baby's first foods, Postnatal depression and loneliness advice, The importance of spending quality time during early childhood, Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth. She was a chief backer of the state's Farm to School grant program, a $60 million initiative to pay for school gardens, cooking classes and other projects to bring healthier, fresher food to schools and teach children where their food comes from. Gavin Newsom, will be testifying against Harvey Weinstein in his second sexual assault trial that began this week in Los Angeles. Her Spanish now allows her to communicate with millions of Californians in a way that her husband cant. I had to learn to ground (them), and myself too. Great article; provides good insights into the motivations of CAs first partner. The Mask You Live In, released in 2015, looks at how boys struggle with expectations around masculinity. 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. His assault was excruciatingly traumatic, and for years, he walked away unfettered.. So I've always known that, without your mental health, what do you have?". She shared that the tragedy may have led her to strive to become "the nurturer, the protector, the giver who wants to help the less fortunate." Gavin Newsom's baby boy Hunter born", "Lt. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. "When children experience these challenges, we have to realize it's not their fault. [1] Jennifer and Gavin wed in July of the same year at her parents' ranch in Stevensville, Montana. However, the jury found Weinstein guilty on three counts pertaining to a third accuser, an Italian model/actor. Jennifer Siebel Newsom's eye-opening experiences as an actor led her to become a filmmaker. Siebel Newsom has stated she carries a lot of guilt as she was present at the time of the accident. Thank you so much, Carolyn, for writing such a compelling and informative article. "And that was traumatic to lose your best friend and your sister. 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. 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. When she was 6 years old her elder sister known as Stacy passed away at the age of 8 from a golf cart accident. At Branson, Siebel was a top student, president of the junior class and a standout athlete, playing varsity tennis, soccer and basketball. All Rights Reserved. "I hope my film will spark a national conversation around how the elevation of stereotypically 'masculine' values has led to extreme social and economic immobility and how, if we elevate more 'feminine' values such as empathy, care, and community, we can fix some of these systemic inequities." "I was this driven, over-achieving perfectionist who excelled in sports," she recalled while tearing up. 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. [31], Siebel Newsom was one of several accusers against Harvey Weinstein in his 2022 Los Angeles criminal rape and sexual assault trial. 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. 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." Oh, but we do. She knows firsthand, she said, what it feels like to be a child whos experienced loss and trauma, like so many California children have endured during the pandemic. I tried to be two people, be perfect, because I didnt feel like I was enough., She thinks the accident may account for her desire to be the nurturer, the protector, the giver who wants to help the less fortunate., Brooke Siebel calls Jennifer a loving, beautiful sister with a huge heart.. Women lawmakers see new allies in the Newsoms, parents of four children under 10, compared to former Gov. Inside, I have fallen apart. Their extravagant destination wedding included a star-studded guest list and swanky cabins for those wealthy guests. I think we went to therapy once (after my sister died), and then it was like, move on, everythings fine, were just going to pretend like nothing happened, she said in a recent interview with EdSource, her eyes filling with tears. To encourage children to get outside more, she spearheaded the California State Parks Adventure Pass, which gives free admission to all California fourth graders and their families at 19 state parks, and the California State Library Parks Pass, which provides free vehicle passes to state parks available for check-out with a library card. "Our kids' brains are still plastic and not fully set, and they're being manipulated by this technology that's creating more isolation and disconnecting us from each other and relationships. She has appeared on such television shows as Life, Mad Men, Strong Medicine, and Numb3rs. Alex Tourk is a nice man and it saddens me that his wife did that to him. Rippey-Tourk is the wife of Alex Tourk, Newsoms campaign manager, who has since resigned. Gavin Newsom, became visibly appalled when asked to recreate how she faked an orgasm on the stand as she gave evidence during the sexual. That makes for some uncomfortable conversations with her parents, who she said are still proud of her political work with Newsom. mayor's girlfriend offers glimpse into her life and career", "OWN Acquires Miss Representation for OWNs Documentary Film Club", "The Mask You Live In by Jennifer Siebel Newsom Kickstarter", "Meet the 2015 Sundance Filmmakers #79: In 'The Mask You Live In,' Jennifer Siebel Newsom Confronts Our Narrow Definition of Masculinity", "From the red carpet to college campuses, #AskHerMore inspires gender equality", "Miss Bigelow: Choices fundraiser shadowed by loss of Merla Zellerbach", https://amp.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article251851903.html, "Newsom Twosome: Jennifer Siebel Newsom's Charity Is Out of Compliance But Solicits Donations from State Vendors & Governor's Campaign Contributors", "Jennifer Siebel Newson a leader of new generation of feminists", "Lt. Gov. Because as she says in the extremely raw video she released on Thursday, after the man she has accused of raping her, the predatory former king of Hollywood Harvey Weinstein, was sentenced to 16 more years in prison, I never asked to join this club. The eldest of four girls (Jennifer lost her elder sister Stacey in an accident when they were kids), Jennifer dedicates her time and energy to helping our most vulnerable. During high school, she played varsity basketball, soccer, and tennis. Most recently, Fair Play focuses on the difficulties women face as they attempt to balance work and home lives. 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. Newsom's college years may have been overwhelming in part because of an injury she sustained while playing for the junior national soccer team in high school. "How dare . "Not all that shocking because very similar things happened to me." 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]. The story roused a firestorm among Newsom followers, and Siebel added fuel to the flames with subsequent comments on a blog saying Rippey-Tourk had a checkered history and was bad news., Gun-shy, Siebel says she has promised Newsom not to discuss him in the press, but her emotions spill over: He makes me happy. I love to be in nature. Jennifer Siebel Newsom shocked the world with a powerful essay she wrote for HuffPost in October 2017. Gavin Newsom. They're pretty in sync with the way they feel about some things.". 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. Inspired by the pregnancy that produced her first child, a girl, Siebel Newsom decided to go behind the camera to make her first documentary Miss Representation, which examines Hollywoods fixation on womens looks. Newsom subsequently launched MissRepresentation.org, a social action campaign whose mission is to shift peoples consciousness, inspire individual and community action, and transform culture. Gavin Newsom was wrapping up a meeting with the president of El Salvador in April when his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, spoke up in fluent Spanish. Newsom traveled to countries throughout Latin America, Africa, and Europe during her time as a volunteer, per Yahoo!. Victims of sexual violence have one hell of an ally in the newly unshackled Jennifer Siebel Newsom, feminist documentary filmmaker and wife of California Gov. Newsom also played basketball and tennis while in high school, so it is perhaps no surprise that her athleticism helped her secure a spot at Stanford. 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. As for her romance with Mayor Newsom, which began with a blind date last October, she would only say: He is a wonderful man. The film examines how the media has underrepresented women in positions of power. Thank you so much, Carolyn, for writing such a compelling and informative article. The mom revealed that gender roles affect her relationship with Gavin and their parenting responsibilities.