SACRAMENTO — Líderes Campesinas was honored June 5 as the 56th Assembly District Nonprofit of the Year. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, awarded the honor.

Several campesinas including, Executive Director, Suguet Lopez, traveled to Sacramento to receive recognition at the 4th Annual California Nonprofits Day Ceremony.

Each year, California legislators are invited to choose a Nonprofit of the Year in their district and come together to celebrate at the California Nonprofits Day Luncheon. This event fosters relationships between elected officials and nonprofits doing important work in their communities. Since the first California Nonprofits Day in 2016 more than 250 nonprofits have been honored by their Assemblymembers and Senators.

“It is my privilege to recognize Líderes Campesinas as our 56th Assembly District Nonprofit of the Year. For over 30 years they have mobilized women within our farmworker community; developing them as leaders and empowering them to become agents of positive change through grassroots organizing,” Assemblymember Garcia said. “This award is an excellent opportunity to highlight the tremendous accomplishments and unique mission of these campesinas.”

Líderes Campesinas, originally known as “Mujeres Mexicanas” (Mexican Women), began in the Eastern Coachella Valley in 1988. They develop leadership among campesinas to initiate social and economic change throughout the farmworker community. The organization is modeled by and for campesinas. The approach emphasizes capacity building, democratic decision-making, advocacy, peer training, leadership development, as well as mobilizing methods such as house meetings, arts, and theatrical presentations at community venues. The organization has since grown to operate thirteen chapters across our state engaging in awareness programming to promote education, prevent violence, and build healthy communities.

Each year, California legislators are invited to choose a Nonprofit of the Year in their district and come together to celebrate at the California Nonprofits Day Luncheon. This event, organized by the California Association of Nonprofits, started in 2016 in order to feature the important role nonprofits play within our state.

Garcia serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife.  He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.

 

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  • Líderes Campesinas: Assemblymember Garcia