Abbe Land

Mayor and City Councilmember, City of West Hollywood.

1986-97.
2003-present.

West Hollywood is a model of progressive municipal govern-ment, quality social services, people-oriented community planning, social justice and fiscal responsib-ility. And Abbe Land has been a key West Hollywood leader since its founding in 1984. Abbe, who got involved in the Cityhood fight as a tenant organizer, was named to the first West Hollywood Planning Commission in 1984 and was elected to the City Council in 1986. She served on the Council until 1996, and then was elected to the Council again in 2002.

As a member of the City Council, Abbe Land co-sponsored legislation to ban the cheap handguns known as Saturday Night Specials, originated the city’s innovative Domestic Violence Prevention program, promoted sound environmental policies and fought for tenant’s rights and affordable housing.

Co-Chief Executive Officer, The Los Angeles Free Clinic

2003-present.

For 37 years, The Los Angeles Free Clinic has provided hundreds of thousands of local residents access to quality medical and dental care. Legal assistance. Crisis counseling. HIV testing. Prenatal care. And more. Free of charge. Free of judgment. As co-Chief Executive Officer of the Free Clinic, Abbe Land is a knowledgeable and passionate voice for universal health care, patient’s rights and affordable prescription drugs.

Progressive community activist.

Other community involvements include:

• Feminist Majority Foundation, Director of Development.
• Board member, Women Against Gun Violence
• Board of Directors, National and California League of Cities
• Former President, Women in Municipal Government
• Board of Directors, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County
• Member, Women’s Health Policy Council for the Office of Women’s Health, Los Angeles County
• Field Consultant, Hadassah

Awards and Distinctions:

• Woman of Distinction (1998), Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
• George Moscone Award, Christopher Street West
• Woman of the Year (2005), Los Angeles County
• Sheldon Andelson Award (2006), Alternative Living for the Aging

Abbe Land lives in West Hollywood with her husband, Martin Gantman, an artist.