Anne Murphy Springer was the first Chair of Sonoma County's Commission on the Status of Women. Prior to her work in Sonoma County, Springer was an activist in Oakland. The skills she learned as an organizer and leader early in her career proved useful when she became the first woman Fire Chief of Bodega. She has since served as President of the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Academy as well as being involved in numerous other organizations.

Barbara McCaffry was hired as the Director of Affirmative Action at Sonoma State in 1980. She eventually started teaching as a Professor of Liberal Studies in the Hutchins department and has taught courses crosslisted in Women's Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Global Studies.

Bonnie Eisenberg came to Sonoma County with prior experience in the Women's Movement through her activities and publishing in Berkeley, Boston and Marin. Eisenberg worked for the National Women's History Project and co-founded Women's Voices. After over 30 years working in women's organizations, Bonnie is now retired and living in New Mexico.

Carole Domeikis got involved in women's organizations in the late '70s while she was a college student. She served on the Commission on the Status of Women on the domestic violence task force and then Deputy Director for the County Office of Commissions. Carole has also been involved with the Sonoma County Book Festival, the Marin Justice Center and the Sebastopol Council for the Arts.

Carolyn Metz' activism has centered on her involvement in organizations for Jewish Women and she is the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County. Carolyn has also been involved with the YWCA Women's Shelter.

Cass Smith moved to Sonoma County in 1978 and immediately got involved in women's organizations; first SCRAP6 and then the Commission on the Status of Women. Cass also was involved with LVAC and Women's Music Festivals. Although she has been a part of numerous organizations, Cass feels that much of her activism is simply in the way she lives her life as a lesbian and in her work in traditionally male occupations.

Cindy Dickinson began working with women's organizations in Sonoma County over 25 years ago. She has worked as a nurse and administrator and was one of the founding members of the Common Women's Health Center, which opened in the early 1980s. In addition to her professional career, she was also a volunteer for Women Against Rape for eleven years. Currently, Cindy works at the Southwest Community Health Center.

Cristina Briano worked for 10 years at Santa Rosa Junior College where she oversaw the Tutorial Center before going to work with the California Rural Legal Assistance. Besides being a founding member of Mujeres Unidas, she was instrumental in organizing the first Latina conference in Sonoma County and in creating the Mexican Village at the Sonoma County Fair, which brought culturally diverse music to the area. Briano also was a member of De Colores performance group.

Deborah Bradford first came to Sonoma County to attend Sonoma State. She later worked at Moonrise Cafe and was active in SCRAP6 and Cloud Farm. Deborah currently lives in Houston, Texas where she volunteers for Landmark Education.

Gloria Robinson is a long time activist involved in African American and women's organizations. She is the founder of Petaluma Blacks for Community Development and for the past 29 years has organized Black History Month activities and events in the Petaluma. Gloria also served as a Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women and been recognized as Woman of the Year, Citizen of the Year and was awarded the Sojourner Truth award for her activism.

Helen Rudee became the first woman to serve as Chair of the Santa Rosa School Board and later became the first woman elected to the county's Board of Supervisors. As a Supervisor, Rudee worked closely with and supported the efforts of the Commission on the Status of Women. In 1996, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Sonoma State University.

Indigo Crone was first introduced to women's organizations through the local branch of the Association for Women's Active Return to Education. She later worked on the women's newspaper Runes, and then with ten other women founded Women's Voices. Indigo was also a founding member of the Lesbian Action Voter's Caucus. Currently she is a volunteer member of the Peace and Justice Center.

J.J. Wilson started teaching English at Sonoma State in 1968, and alongside students was one of the key figures in the founding and promotion of Women's Studies at Sonoma State. She also co-authored Women Artists with her former student Karen Peterson and is co-founder of The Sitting Room in Cotati, California.

Jeannette Keesling Moretti's activism in Sonoma County has focussed on domestic violence and counseling services. She was a part of Chrysalis; a counseling organization specifically for women and women's issues. Jeannette has also been a part of Take Back the Night events and Women's Voices.

Judy Helfand helped found the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project in 1980. She also was also an editor of Women's Voices. Judy remains involved in social justice work and is currently an instructor of humanities at Santa Rosa J.C.

Karen Peterson was a student at Sonoma State during the forming of the Women's Studies department. With her friend and teacher JJ Wilson, Peterson authored Women Artists, and founded the Sitting Room. Currently Peterson is a librarian at the Mahoney Library in Petaluma and remains an advocate for women in the humanities.

Karen Rose came to Sonoma County after attending UCLA. She and a handful of other women founded an all women's newspaper called Runes in the mid 1970's. She was very active in anti-nuke movement through her involvement with SOLAR, and attended the National Women's Conference in Houston in 1977. Currently Karen is currently active in the church community and recovery and support programs.

Kate Jenkins devoted much or her work in women's organizations to improving the lives of incarcerated women and help them transition successfully back into society. She served on the Criminal Justice task force for the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women and co-founded Athena house.

Kay Trimberger was a professor of Sociology and Women's Studies at Sonoma State from 1975-2000. She is the author of The New Single Woman, which chronicles the lives of women who have led fulfilling lives while remaining unmarried.

Kris Montgomery came to Sonoma County as a Sonoma State graduate student. She soon became involved in the Women's Studies program and eventually ran the Women's Resource Center on campus. Kris has also served on the Board of The Sitting Room.

Laura Larque's activism has focussed on immigrant's rights, the labor movement and women's issues. She has worked with Common Woman's Health Project, Women Against Rape, and the Sonoma County Industrial Union. She currently teaches at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University, and is working to launch the Casa Calpulli cultural center.

Laurel Holmstrom moved to Sonoma County with prior experience in the Women's Movement from Santa Cruz and San Jose. She has particularly been interested in women and religion and taught courses at Sonoma State on the subject. Laurel has also contributed to Women's Voices, been involved with Take Back the Night events and with the Safe Zone program at Sonoma State.

Linda McCabe was a long time member of NOW in Los Angeles, San Fernando and Sonoma Counties. She also has worked for the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee helping draft legislation. Linda enjoys writing and is currently the President of the local branch of the California Writer's Club.

Lorene Irizary was the Director of the Commission on the Status of Women from 1989 through 2004. In addition, Lorene has been President of the local branches of the YWCA and the Women's Political Caucus, and the California Association of Committees for Women. Her involvement in women's organizations also includes working for Women Against Rape and Brown Bag Reader's Theater and founding the Feminist Child Care Alliance.

Lucy Cadena Jazzux served as the first President of the Sonoma County Head Start program. In addition to this, Lucy worked for Women Against Rape and specifically the Child Assault Prevention Program, where she started a bi-lingual program called A Sunto de Ninos.

Lynn Woolsey is the Representative from the Sixth Congressional District of California. She first got started in politics when she was appointed to work on the Commision on the Status of Women in Sonoma County. Woolsey's political career has drawn inspiration and support from the women and women's organizations of Sonoma County.

Marie de Santis came to Sonoma County in the late 1980s and shortly after started working for the Common Woman's Health Project. She went on to work for Woman Against Rape as coordinator for community services. Marie is a founder of the Women's Justice Center which was developed in part to specifically address needs of latinas.

Marsha Vas Dupre served on the Santa Rosa City Council from 1998-2002 and is currently on the Board of Trustees at Santa Rosa Junior College. Prior to her work as an elected official, Marsha had a successful career as an educator. Marsha has also been President of the local branches of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women and Friends Outside.

Mary Ruthdsdotter is a founding member of the National Women's History Project where she worked as the Projects Director from 1980 until 2000. She also worked extensively with the Commission on the Status of Women and the Women's Support Network. Mary Ruthsdotter has spearheaded the efforts to document the Women's Movement in Sonoma County through the Sonoma County Women's Oral History Project.

Marylou "Shira" Haddit's involvement in the Women's Movement derived from her interest in Civil Rights and combating racism. She moved to Sonoma County in 1978 and got involved with the women's newspaper RUNES and SCRAP6. Shira was later involved in LVAC and numerous other women's and lesbian organizations.

Michele Filshie is a long-time resident of Sebastopol. She is the former President of the local chapter of NOW and was also active in the Women's Political Caucus. Currently, Michele is active on the Board of CAPP.

Michelle Porter was a co-founder of the Women's Rape Crisis Center and also helped introduce Take Back the Night to Sonoma County. The focus of Michelle's work has been on providing services to local women. She has been involved with recovery, support, and educational groups such as Women Against Rape, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Teen Assault Prevention.

Molly MacGregor is the founder of the National Women's History Project where she currently serves as Executive Director. She was also involved in the Commission on the Status of Women's Education Task Force and later Projects Director. Molly and other's efforts resulted in federal recognition of Women's History Month.

Morgan Stewart came to Sonoma County pursuing a Masters degree in Counseling at Sonoma State. In 1980, with several other women, Morgan started Women's Voices, a local newspaper by, for and about women. Morgan was also involved with the National Women's History Project, CETA and Califia.

Nancy Moorehead was involved in numerous women's organizations in Sonoma County including Brown Bag Reader's Theater, LVAC, Lavender Roses, and the local chapter of NOW. Nancy helped put on Women's Music Festivals in Sonoma County and has worked in several "non-traditional" jobs for women including grounds manager at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Pat Kuta was a founder of the YWCA in Santa Rosa which includes the YWCA Women's Shelter. She has also served as Executive Director of the local Planned Parenthood. Much of Pat's activism has focused on issues of domestic violence and health services for women in Sonoma County.

Paula Hammett became involved in Women's Studies at Sonoma State when students developed a slide show that led to the founding of the National Women's History Project. She also served on the Commission on the Status of Women's Education Task Force and helped start Women's History Week. Paula is currently a librarian at Sonoma State.

Phyllis Onstad came to Sonoma County first working for the Newsherald. She then went on to work on the women's newspaper, Runes, became involved with the Women's Health Collective and the National Political Caucus.

Raquel Rodriguez Rasor came to Sonoma County as an educator and went on to become a professor of Ethnic Studies at Santa Rosa Junior College. Raquel is also a founding member of Mujeres Unidas, was a member of Chicano Educators of the North Bay and CATESOL; an organization for ESL teachers.

Rose Murray first came to Sonoma County as an employee for the Nursing department at Sonoma State. She went on to found Women Against Rape, an organization that offers services and education regarding sexual assault and rape in Sonoma County. Rose also belongs to the National Nurses Association and the Petaluma Women's Club.

Ruth Mahaney was instructor of Women's Studies at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. She also served as Coordinator of the Women's Studies Program at Sonoma State and Coordinator for the Women’s Caucus of the New University conference. In 1978, she was a part of SCRAP 6; a local organization opposed to a state-wide proposition targeting gay and lesbian teachers in public schools. Ruth was also a Board member for the GLBT Historical Society and lecturer for City College of San Francisco.

Sherri Hoefling came to Sonoma County as a musician. Through her interest in music she developed skills in electronic programming and started her own business, Knobs by Sherri. Sherri helped put on women's events including music festivals and concerts, and is a member of the Sonoma Chapter of Bay Area Career Women.

Susan Teller was involved with the founding of Women's Studies at Sonoma State. She also got involved with the Women's Union at Hastings Law School in San Francisco while pursuing her law degree. Susan has been a practicing lawyer for almost thirty years.

Toni Novak worked for the Commission on the Status of Women, been active in the Child Abuse and Neglect Council and served as director for 4C. In addition she was an active member of the Peace and Freedom Party in the late 60's.

Trish Nugent moved to Sonoma County in 1978 where she has worked as a family attorney. In addition to serving on the board of the local YWCA, Trish was involved with SCRAP6 and performed as a musician. Prior to arriving in Sonoma County,m Trish was also a member of Lesbians in Law, Women in Law and a volunteer for the Berkeley Women's Health Collective.

Virginia Strom-Martin served the California state assembly from 1996 until she was termed out in 2002. She chaired the Legislative Women's Caucus and the Assembly's Education Committee. However, she maintains that her greatest influence was her 24 years as an educator.