Re-Cap: Winter 2026 quarterly membership meeting, February 21
Fifty members and their guests gathered for the first general membership meeting of 2026, held at the Santa Paula Agriculture Museum. In addition to the regular program, attendees were treated to the In Focus photo exhibition on display at the Museum. This exhibit features the striking work of photographer Diego Huerta, whose portraits capture immigrants from Mexico and Central America living and working throughout Ventura County, many dressed in traditional clothing.
The State of Our Region After a warm welcome from Museum staff, League member David Maron presented highlights from The State of the Region, a comprehensive report compiled by the Ventura Civic Alliance. Printed copies of the 120-page document were available for all attendees, and the full report — packed with clear, accessible graphics — can be downloaded at https://civicalliance.org/state-of-the-region. It’s great information for those of us who call Ventura County home.
Shaping the League's Direction Next, members engaged in spirited discussion about US League’s proposed Program Planning for the next two years. Kathy Morgan presented information about the National League’s proposal, which was endorsed by consensus of the group, after a name change was suggested to be more inclusive of all League members: from “Women Defend Democracy: Democracy Under Siege” to “Together We Defend Democracy: Democracy Under Siege”. We also agreed as a league that accountability should be added to the proposed program.
Several proposed program planning suggestions from other Leagues around the United States were also considered for adoption, the clear consensus was to support concurrence with Washington State League's position on the Rights of Immigrants. Our preferences will be reported to National League (with the reports from local leagues all over the US) and acted upon at the National Convention June 25-28 in Columbus, Ohio.
Celebrating Our Community To end the program, members of the Voter Registration team were recognized for the amazing work they did during the Fall 2025 high school voter registration effort. Then, sixteen members with 25 or more years of membership in the League of Women Voters were presented with certificates honoring their long-term commitment to the League:
Katie Fellows, Jeanette Hosek, Nancy Francis, Todd Collart, Pat Essick, Rita Carroll, Lillian Zelinski, Maria Teran, Carol Lindberg, Bob Braitman, Mary Braitman, Sandra Sanders, Mary Ann Lowe, David Maron, Carmen Hurd and Judy Murphy.
We are deeply grateful for your commitment and inspired by your example.
The afternoon wrapped up with great conversation and cupcakes decorated with LWV initials — a sweet ending to a productive day.
