Editorial Gold

Monterey Bay Parent

Design Gold
 Read The Current Issue
MenuClose
Monterey Bay Parent » Women's History

Celebrating Monterey County’s Notable Women

By |

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating three women who are making an impact in our community. I am inspired by these individuals, who, in addition to engaging in meaningful work and persevering through individual and systemic barriers, are humble and caring individuals. I am honored to share a snippet of their stories, and I hope it inspires you to celebrate the visible and invisible accomplishments of women in and beyond your communities.

MONICA ANZO

Monica Anzo is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services in the Alisal Union School District. While this is her third year as Associate Superintendent, she has worked in the district for 25 years in various roles, beginning as a classroom teacher before moving into coaching and leadership roles. This year, Monica’s work impacts approximately 7,500 Alisal students. Monica grew up in the Salinas Valley and has a passion for supporting all students in and beyond their educational experiences.

When Monica started her career as a classroom teacher, she had not envisioned leaving the classroom to pursue leadership opportunities, that is, until she encountered a mentor in the district who opened her eyes to the possibilities beyond teaching and encouraged her to consider broadening her impact by stepping into leadership. At the time Monica took on the role of principal, most principals were men, and over time, Monica has seen a shift in supporting and promoting more female educators into leadership roles. While she might be too humble to take credit for this change, I believe it is a product of her leadership and advocacy in the cabinet that has elevated the voices and perspectives of female educators. In addition to mentorship, Monica highlighted the importance for women and women of color to build a network of support to include individuals who understand similar challenges and can give reassurance in moments of discouragement.

One theme that emerged in my conversation with Monica was relationships. Whether as a teacher connecting with students; a principal building relationships with staff, parents, and students; or a district leader bridging community, policy, and leadership, Monica leads with care and relationships. Monica’s advice: Don’t be so hard on yourself. With the right support and self-coaching, you can take on a bigger role and make a wider impact than you can imagine. We are fortunate for the mentorship and encouragement Monica received in her career as she now brings to life a vision for a better future for students, families, teachers, and principals.

TINA NIETO

Sheriff Tina Nieto currently serves as Monterey County’s Sheriff-Coroner and was sworn into that role in 2022. She has led the way as the first Latina sheriff in the history of the State of California and had to overcome many barriers, in particular, choosing to join law enforcement 35 years ago when there were even fewer women in law enforcement. Tina is committed to her work and making change, specifically finding joy in entering difficult and chaotic situations and looking back to see all the improvements and positive changes she has made.

Tina told a story about Kobe, her German shepherd rescue dog, who was likely abused as a puppy and was injured. She explained her experience working with a trainer, who Tina felt was incorrectly labeling Kobe. Throughout Tina’s life, people have labeled her, predetermining what she could or could not do, so Kobe was like an extension of her lived experience. Like Tina’s story, Kobe’s is a tale of resiliency and love.

Tina emphasized the importance of a support system of people who love all of you. In Tina’s words, “When you are breaking barriers in a profession or making lasting change, you can have some really tough days, and knowing that those people who are your support system will be there when the day ends gives you the energy to keep going.” From her hope for a future where people can learn to disagree and find common ground for the common good to the stories she shared about her family, Tina’s deep empathy for people and animals alike comes through.

WENDY ROOT ASKEW

Supervisor Wendy Root Askew serves as the Monterey County District 4 Supervisor, representing the communities of Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, East Garrison, CSUMB, Salinas, and Seaside. She is in her first term, specifically in her third year of a four-year term. Wendy is a fourth-generation Monterey County resident and is passionate about making life better for children and families now and in the future.

While juggling the many demands of her role and personal life, Wendy continues to ensure that she brings the voices, including the needs, hopes, dreams, and struggles, of hardworking parents into every decision-making space. While the work is challenging, she loves the deep challenge of the work, navigating multi-jurisdictional challenges, which often come with long histories of dynamic personalities and complex relationships and competing stakeholders without easy or clear solutions. She looks at these issues and enjoys thinking through strategies to navigate toward solutions. She has honed the skills necessary to navigate these spaces in a productive and solutions-oriented way.

Running for office places immense pressure on candidates, something that observing at a distance makes me sweat. Despite the many challenges and fears, Wendy shared how life-affirming the experience of running for office was for her. She recalls how in her first campaign events she felt terrified and her voice audibly shook. Though it was a daunting experience, she looks back now and believes it was an incredible time and opportunity for growth. Wendy shared, “Brené Brown says you have to be in the arena to grow, and I was definitely in the arena.” While looking back on the rollercoaster of an experience, especially given this transition happening during the pandemic, I can sense the confidence and passion Wendy has in her role as well as her appreciation for the opportunity. Our neighborhoods continue to benefit and improve because of Wendy’s willingness to be vulnerable and brave in order to impact lives and communities through policy.

DENISE GREEN has worked in education for over a decade, specializing in mathematics pedagogy and professional development. She, her husband, and their two rambunctious children reside in the sunny hills off Highway 68.

The Book List: Bold Women in Books to Celebrate Women’s History Month

By |

This month’s recommendations feature bold women (both real and fictional) whose stories will inspire and empower growing girls to reach for the stars.

Firebird by Misty Copeland

Penned by legendary ballerina Misty Copeland, Firebird is a story about how hard work, determination, and perseverance can make you into anything you want to be—even a firebird.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

This picture book recounts the hidden history of NASA and the four incredible African-American women who launched America into space. Alongside beautiful illustrations, this book contains extra historical information and a glossary for further learning.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo

Imagine a jam-packed anthology containing 100 true stories about 100 incredible women and illustrated by over 60 female artists around the world. That’s this book. Featuring past and present world-changers, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls is proof that women can be world-changers, too.

I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai

When the Taliban took over Malala’s once peaceful region in Pakistan, they insisted that educating women was a crime. Women weren’t allowed to go to the market, let alone a school. Malala continued to fight for her right to education, and for her defiance, she was shot point-blank by the Taliban on her way home from school. Against all odds, Malala survived and dedicated her life to fighting for what she believes in. This is her story.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Zoe Washington is a bright young girl with a talent for writing and an appetite for justice—and when her absent father is convicted of a crime he says he didn’t commit, she’s determined to uncover the truth. Amid investigations and a baking internship that could help her accomplish her dreams, Zoe learns how to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and chase after what she thinks is right.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

Beverly Clearly’s Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is a Newberry Honor Book and Young Readers classic. To read Ramona is to grow up with her, learning to be brave, to be kind, and to take on responsibility.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

At five years old, Matilda is neglected by her family and bullied by Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress at her school—but Matilda knows she is special in more ways than one, and she’s willing to do what it takes to protect her classmates and her beloved teacher, Miss Honey. Roald Dahl’s 1988 classic is a tried-and-true story of being brave in the face of adversity and standing up against bullies.

Kate Higginbotham is a writer, reader, and editor from North Alabama. After self-publishing several YA novels, spending a considerable amount of time abroad, and graduating from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Kate moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she spends her time elbow-deep in literature of all kinds. She currently writes the “Book List” column alongside freelance editing and other publishing ventures.

Five Monterey County Women You Should Know

By |

ANNA CABALLERO

First female mayor of Salinas and State Senator representing District 12

Born to a family of copper miners from Arizona, Caballero is a graduate of UCLA Law School and UC San Diego. She started her legal career representing farmworkers as an attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance. Intent on representing working families at a price they could afford, Caballero and two colleagues formed the law firm of Caballero, Matcham, and McCarthy, with offices in Salinas and Hollister.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Caballero established Partners for Peace, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth violence prevention. 

Caballero is not only the first female mayor elected in the 126-year history of the City of Salinas but also the first Latina elected to represent the 28th Assembly District in 2006. In 2011, she was hired by Governor Edmund G. Brown to serve as a member of his cabinet where she served as the Secretary of the Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Anna Caballero is married to Attorney Juan Uranga and has three adult children and six grandchildren. Her family is incredibly important to her, and Senator Caballero shared memories of campaigning door to door with her children. She also reflected on how critical it was to have her husband’s support and a sense of structure in the home. She credits Juan for being so supportive. 

Caballero now represents Senate District 12, which includes the rural communities of Los Banos, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, and Soledad as well as Salinas.

ISABEL MEADOWS

Ohlone ethnologist and the last fluent speaker of the Rumsen Ohlone language

Isabel Meadows was born in Carmel Valley in July of 1846 to James Meadows and Maria Loretta Onesimo. Meadows’s father was serving aboard a whaler in 1837 when he deserted the ship in Monterey. Meadows’s mother was Maria Loretta Onesimo, one of the last Rumsen Ohlone. The Ohlone lost most of their population between 1780 and 1850 because of an abysmal birth rate, high infant mortality rate, diseases, and social upheaval associated with European immigration into California.

When Isabel was older, she worked closely with Smithsonian ethnologist J. P. Harrington and shared her knowledge of her tribe’s culture and languages in the Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur regions of California. She spent more than five years documenting the Ohlone culture and language. Her work is considered fundamental in the study of Ohlone languages, especially Rumsen.

Meadows died in 1939 in Washington DC and is buried in Carmel.

JULIE PACKARD

Executive Director and Founder of Monterey Bay Aquarium

Julie E. Packard is the daughter of the late Hewlett-Packard Co. founder David Packard and his wife, Lucile. She grew up in Los Altos with both parents instilling a sense of service in their children. At the age of twenty-one, Julia took her place on the Packard Foundation board. 

Packard graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1974 and a Master of Arts in 1978.

She proposed the idea of a research aquarium to her father and The Monterey Bay Aquarium was born. She has held the Executive Director position since its opening in 1984.

As part of her pioneering work at the aquarium, Packard was instrumental in the creation of the sustainable seafood advisory list, Seafood Watch. The program has become a leader in the global sustainable seafood movement.

In 2014, Packard donated $1 million dollars to University of California, Santa Cruz to establish the “Dean’s Fund for Diversity in the Sciences”, which funds programs to support underrepresented minority students in science and math.

She speaks at conferences and symposia related to ocean conservation and writes online about current issues. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is a recipient of the Audubon Medal.

JULIA PLATT

Marine biology academic and first female mayor of Pacific Grove

Platt was born in 1857 in San Francisco to Ellen Loomis Barlow and George King Platt. Her father died nine days after her birth and her mother raised her in Burlington, Vermont. Platt received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and then attended a variety of universities because many would not confer graduate degrees on women. She finally received her doctorate from The University of Freiberg in Freiburg, Germany. 

As a biology researcher, she investigated embryogenesis, in particular the head development, from studying sharks and salamanders. Her most notable contribution to the field was her demonstration that neural crest cells formed the jaw cartilage and tooth dentine in mudpuppy embryos. Her research conclusions were not accepted by her contemporaries. It took fifty years for her work to be acknowledged.

In 1899, Platt moved to California to work at the Hopkins Marine Station Marine Biology Laboratory in Pacific Grove. After Stanford University refused to give her a position on the faculty, Platt turned towards activism.

She promoted and worked on the development of park areas, founded the Women’s Civic Club, and even used an axe to chop down a fence blocking public access to Lover’s Point Beach. In 1931, at the age of 74, she became mayor of Pacific Grove. 

One of Platt’s greatest contributions was bringing a lawsuit against the canneries in Monterey. The waste from the canneries and heavy fishing in Monterey fouled the ocean and air, drove away tourism, and ravaged sardine and other marine species. Platt had the support of the hotel owners in Monterey and Pacific Grove and won the case. Platt then focused on reclaiming the shoreline from the state. She enlisted the support of the scientists at Hopkins Marine Station and wrote a law that granted Pacific Grove management rights of the shoreline. The law established a protected marine area, the first in California. It is believed that her pioneering work was crucial to the recovery of the sea otter population.

Platt never married but did adopt a son. She died in Pacific Grove at the age of seventy-eight.

BEVERLY CLEARLY

Author

Beverly Cleary was born in McMinnville, Oregon, and, until she was old enough to attend school, lived on a farm in Yamhill, a town so small it had no library. Cleary spent much of her childhood surrounded by books—first at a makeshift library her mother created in a lodge room upstairs over a bank. Later, after the family moved to Portland, she was able to enjoy the public library there.

Beverly struggled with reading after moving to Portland and was placed in her grammar school’s low reading circle. That experience gave her sympathy for the problems of struggling readers. She quickly overcame her issues with reading, and a librarian planted the dream of being a writer in young Beverly. She resolved to someday write the books she wanted to read. By the time she became a published author, she had moved to Monterey County.

Cleary’s books earned her many prestigious awards, including the 1984 John Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, the touching story of a lonely Pacific Grove boy, Leigh Botts, who corresponds with a children’s book author. Additionally, Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 were named 1978 and 1982 Newbery Honor Books, respectively.

Beverly Cleary lived to be 104, passing away in 2021 in Carmel Valley – her home for over sixty years.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

By |

Women’s History Month is held each March to reflect on the contributions of women to United States history. What you may not know is that Women’s History Month grew out of a week-long celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. The local Women’s History Week activities met with enthusiastic response, and dozens of schools planned special programs for Women’s History Week. A parade was even held in downtown Santa Rosa.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration.

Six years later Congress expanded the event to the entire month of March. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

Women’s History Month is observed in the US, UK and Australia in March, and in October in Canada.

Here are seven ways you can celebrate Women’s History Month with your kids.

1. Read your children a book or three.

Here is a list of book recommendations for children that show girls as creative, confident leaders.

  • Rosie Revere Engineer By Andrea Beaty

  • The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett & Gary Rubinstein

  • Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History…And Our Future! by Kate Schatz

  • Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909by Michelle Markel


2. Make a “Women Power” playlist and listen to it often during March.

Here are a few songs to get you started:

  • Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys

  • Rise Up by Andra Day

  • Video by India Arie

  • Firework by Katy Perry

  • Brave by Sara Barielles

  • Fight Song by Rachel Platten


3. Donate your time, talent or money to an organization that supports girls.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Girls Who Code

  • The Malala Fund

  • Girls for a Change

  • Equality Now

  • Global Fund for Women

  • Girls Write Now

  • Girls On The Run

  • She Should Run

  • Google any of the listed organizations to get additional information on how you can support the group.


4. Attend a virtual museum exhibition.

The National Women’s History Museum offers a variety of free online exhibitions. Featured exhibitions include:

  • Breaking In: Women In Stem

  • Timeline: Women’s Suffrage

  • Inventive Women

  • Parading for Progress

  • Standing Up for Change


Log onto www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/online-exhibits to view the exhibits.

5. Get a subscription to Kazoo Magazine for your daughters.

Kazoo is a quarterly magazine for girls ages 5 to 12 that helps them learn how to celebrate themselves. It’s topics include art, nature, science, tinkering and tech, cooking, travel, sports, emotions, writing, citizenship and critical thinking. Subscriptions are $39.99 per year. Get more information at: kazoomagazine.com.

6. Thank an influential woman.

Nothing beats a good old written thank you note. Pick out an influential woman in your life and write them a heartfelt note thanking them for their inspiration. You don’t need to mail the letter and it could be to a historical figure. This is a great exercise for both kids and parents.

7. Get coloring.

Download a few coloring sheets from the Classroom Doodles website and give your kids a short history lesson while they color the pages. You’ll find Rosa Parks, Dorothea Dix, Harriet Tubman and more. While they are coloring read a few exceprts from Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women by Cheryl Harness.

Women’s History Month: Building Self Esteem in our Daughters

By |

It is essential to help your daughter build positive self-esteem because it can have a significant impact on her motivation and success in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that self-esteem is shaped by both the child’s perceptions and expectations as well as the perceptions and expectations of significant people in her life. They named a sense of security, belonging, purpose, personal competence, and pride, trust, responsibility, contributions, making real choices and decisions, self-discipline and self-control, encouragement, support, reward, accepting mistakes and failure and family self-esteem as factors that can influence how your daughter feels about herself. 

On her own schedule

Every girl develops self-esteem at her own rate. Sometimes things like difficulties at home or poor role models can get in the way of developing healthy self-worth. It is your job as a parent to offer guidance and encouragement. The American Psychological Association suggested listening to your child. Remember that while you may have dreams for her, she has her own and they deserve to be respected and supported even if she makes some mistakes along the way. It is not about how many times your daughter may fall but rather that you are always there to help her get back up.  

Let her know she is valued

Praise your daughter at every opportunity whether it is an achievement or just an attempt at success. Make her feel valued by asking questions and seeking her opinion when appropriate. Try not to compare your daughter to other people and treat her as an individual. Set realistic expectations and understand that nobody is perfect. 

Encourage her individuality

You want to do your best to find out what interests her and encourage her to pursue those things. If your child likes music, you may motivate her to pick up an instrument and later perform in a band or at recitals to feel a greater sense of accomplishment and acceptance. It is just as important to feel accepted out and about in society as at home. Finding ways to volunteer with causes your daughter cares about is another rewarding avenue to build self-esteem. 

Give her time to grow

Schedule time that your daughter can do things that make her happy both with you and alone. If she spends time doing things she likes, she is more likely to have a positive mindset. Do not forget to celebrate small victories as there is no better way to build self-confidence. When you are a champion for your daughter and see that she has a group of peers who cheer her on just the same, she is on the path to being another amazing woman who is bound to make history one day down the road.

Resources for further reading

The following books on building self esteem in girls are suggested by Katherine Handcock Katherine Handcock on the website amightygirl.com:

Your Daughter’s Bedroom: Insights for Raising Confident Women, by Joyce McFadden, tackles how a strong mother-daughter relationship has a profound effect on a girl’s self-discovery. Mothers and daughters don’t always have to agree, but having an open and positive relationship despite differences of opinion makes a difference through her childhood — and the rest of her life. 

In The Myth of the Perfect Girl: Helping Our Daughters Find Authentic Success and Happiness in School and Life, Ana Homayoun tackles the stresses of teen girls who try to be perfect at everything, from academics to their social interactions, extracurriculars to family life. Homayoun provides tips to help parents to encourage their daughters to focus on the things that they love, rather than constantly striving to please others. 

Molly Barker, founder of the Girls on the Run exercise program, wrote Girls On Track: A Parent’s Guide to Inspiring Our Daughters to Achieve a Lifetime of Self-Esteem and Respect to teach parents how to help their teen daughters avoid “the Girl Box”: the place where how she looks and whether she has a boyfriend is more important than anything else. This ten-week self-esteem building plan is designed to encourage parents and daughters to talk about all aspects of their lives — emotional, mental, social, physical, and spiritual — so that they can build the resiliency they need for a lifetime of success.

Parenting OC