Joyce Lane grew up in San Diego, California. After graduation from the University of California, San Diego in 1971, she was trying to find herself. She attended a consciousness raising group at the Center for Women’s Studies and Services. The Center was a feminist organization and a part of the second wave of the women’s movement. It was dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and advocating for them to have an equal place in society. At the Center she found like-minded young women and a job. She worked as a paraprofessional counselor with battered women and rape victims and women looking to pursue non-traditional jobs.
After being in a number of different positions at the Center, she took a job as the Executive Director of Exploring Family School, a private alternative school and a sister organization. After going back to school at San Diego State University and getting her master’s degree in Public Administration, she took a job with the City of San Diego in the City Clerk’s Office in 1988. There she administered the city’s elections and worked with the city council. She retired as the Assistant City Clerk in 2006 and cared for her mother who was on hospice until her death in 2007. After a few years of artistic endeavors, Joyce got involved with SanDiego350.
An important part of Joyce’s interior life is her meditation practice. She got involved with the Zen Center of San Diego in 2005 and continues her meditation practice today. It has been central to helping her negotiate the many emotions that come up around climate change. Joyce is married and the mother of a 33-year-old son. She is currently the Board President of SanDiego350.