Susan Kennedy:
1972: At age 12, was inspired by actress Jane Fonda's support of American Indian and free-speech causes and opposition to the Vietnam War.
1977: Lived in Lancaster, Pa., within the evacuation zone of Three Mile Island. Developed a distrust of the establishment
1979: Enrolls and subsequently drops out of Millersville State College in Pennsylvania "because she was partying too much."
1980: Moved cross country to join Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden's "Campaign for Economic Democracy," a breeding ground for political training in campaigning, fundraising and field organizing, leading to a series of jobs and becoming one of the state Democratic Party's top field organizers.
198x-1991: Executive director of the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League
1991-1994: Executive director of the California Democratic Party, selected by then party chairman, Phil Angelides
1992: Helped lead one of the biggest get-out-the-vote campaigns which put Feinstein in the Senate and helped put Bill Clinton in the presidency.
1993: Political director for Kathleen Brown seeking office of California Governor.
1995 to 1998: Worked as communications director to Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
1995: Begins program of recovery from alcohol addiction
1998: Director of the California Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, a grass-roots campaign effort for 1998 election.
1998: Appointed Cabinet secretary by Governor Gray Davis. She was credited with managing the Democratic governor's initiatives on child support enforcement, energy conservation and health care, among other issues. Reportedly, she promoted Gray Davis' energy plans in 2001, and issuance of $12 billion in bonds to purchase more power, warning legislators of "Armageddon." She also acted as chief negotiator in budget discussions with legislators in 2001, angering many that the Governor did not participate more. (We all know how those energy and budget matters turned out).
1999: "Married" in a Maui commitment ceremony to lesbian partner Vicki Marti, a psychotherapist. Democratic lobbyist and party operative Darius Anderson, her best friend, served as her "best man"
2001: Had an active role in approving a $96-million contract with Oracle Corp. to provide software that state managers did not want or need, an issue raised by state Sen. Tom McClintock during confirmation hearings for her 2003 PUC appointment.
2003: Appointed to a six-year term on the Public Utilities Commission by Gray Davis, with an annual salary of $114,191. Meanwhile, Gray Davis also appoints her domestic partner, Vicki Marti, to the California Medical Assistance Commission whose function it is to set hospital Medical rates--a plum job paying an annual salary of $99,000 and requiring only 2 meetings per month.
2005: Reaches her senior year in college after 13 years of part time study.