Senator Dianne Feinstein died Thursday night at her residence in Washington following months of declining health, according to a statement released by her office. Feinstein, a member of the Democratic Party, held her Senate seat for three decades, earning the distinction of being the longest-serving female U.S. senator in history. She was 90-years-old.
Tributes are pouring in from community members and leaders of the West Hollywood community:
“When she was elected as part of ‘The Year of the Woman,’ Senator Dianne Feinstein represented a world of possibility for women in leadership,” wrote West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne in an official statement. “She went on to leave a legacy of fighting for equity and justice for all, and historic victories for our LGBTQ+ community. She was the longest serving woman in in the US Senate. I am saddened to hear of her passing this morning and so grateful for her years of service. She will be remembered as a mother, a trailblazer and an inspiration of what is possible for so many.”
“Senator Dianne Feinstein was a fearless champion for so many” said West Hollywood Mayor Pro-Tempore John Erickson on social media platforms. “She loved her friends, family, California, and the country very deeply and her commitment to public service is one I will always treasure and look up to.”
“My heart is broken by the loss of our beloved US Senator, Dianne Feinstein,” tweeted Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the 3rd District, Lindsey Horvath. “She meant the world to me as a glass-ceiling-shattering, pioneering woman in politics – tenacious and unafraid to keep going, relentlessly fighting for equality and human rights.”
“Senator Dianne Feinstein, a gun control advocate who spearheaded the first federal assault weapons ban, has died at 90,” wrote a West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club in a statement. “Feinstein, a Washington trailblazer, became the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and documented the CIA’s torture of foreign terrorism suspects. Feinstein joined the Senate in 1992 in a special election following the murder of George Moscone and Harvey Milk. Feinstein was reelected five times, most recently in 2018. Along the way, Senator Feinstein became the longest-serving woman and longest-serving senator from California in the Senate, serving for over 30 years. May her memory always be a blessing.”
May her memory always be a blessing. Senator Feinstein was a fantastic public servant. I wish there were more politicians like her. That being said, enough already of people running for senate, congress and president in their late 70’s or 80’s. It’s time to pass the torch. There are plenty of young, smart people that would make great politicians.