E-mail a friendJune 15, 2009
California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass discusses being the only woman and person of color at the table in trying to resolve the state's fiscal crisis. Actress Mary McCormack talks about the premise of her new USA Network original series, In Plain Sight.
Karen Bass
Karen Bass
California Assembly Speaker talks about the proposed cuts of the governor vs. the Democrats. (1:57)
Full interview. (12:39)
In ‘08, Karen Bass became the first African American woman and first Democratic woman to serve as California Assembly Speaker. She's also the first African American woman in the U.S. to serve in this role. Prior to making history, she held the Assembly leadership positions of Majority Whip and Majority Floor Leader. Bass was formerly a community organizer, founder of the Community Coalition in South L.A.—considered a model for energizing communities—and a physician assistant in the nation's largest trauma center.
Mary McCormack
Mary McCormack
Actress discusses the witness protection program. (3:24)
Full interview. (10:15)
Actress Mary McCormack's résumé includes TV's The West Wing, ER and the new USA Network original series In Plain Sight. An accomplished stage actress, she was nominated for the '08 Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her role in the Broadway revival of Boeing Boeing. The New Jersey native began her acting career performing in a Christmas opera at age 12. McCormack made her feature film debut in '94's Miracle on 34th Street remake and won critical acclaim opposite Howard Stern in Private Parts.