Ms. Freeman was elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2001 (in a campaign managed by TMD member Karen Kang). With a BS in Marine Biology, and career as a Business Manager at the SAS Institute, Ms. Freeman decided leave SAS to run for public office. She discussed the challenges she encountered coming from outside the established political community. By focusing on grassroots campaigning, Ms. Freeman was elected to the council by a 20% margin over her nearest contender, in an election that also ousted the incumbent mayor. Ms. Freeman also discussed the challenges she continues to face as a freshman councilmember.