Power, Gender, and Retaliation

About this episode

Xouhoa Bowen discusses the challenges women face in local politics, including personal experiences of assault and retaliation.

San Leandro City Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen joins the program for an unflinching and deeply personal conversation about the inequities—and consequences—women still face in local politics. Bowen recounts being assaulted by an elected official while attending a city-sponsored event in Florida, and the isolating aftermath that followed. She also speaks candidly about the blowback she faced after filing formal complaints alleging bullying, gender bias, and other misconduct by two colleagues on the San Leandro City Council—and how the cumulative trauma pushed her to the brink of resignation. We also examines the legacy and fallout surrounding former San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, who recently resigned from office and pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges.

People in this episode

Host: Steven Tavares

Guest: Xouhoa Bowen

Topics covered

• gender inequality
• local politics
• retaliation
• bullying
• misconduct
• trauma

Keywords

• gender bias
• local government
• political misconduct
• assault
• resignation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: San Leandro City Council

Places: Florida

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