May Greetings Everyone!
This is an exciting time for our caucus as we await the outcome for our many endorsed candidates. I want to remind everyone of these local candidates that have been endorsed by our caucus in the past few months:

NWPC Fresno Endorsements:
Fresno City Council District 3  –  Keisha Thomas
Fresno City Council District 5  –  Danielle Parra
Fresno City Council District 7  –  Ariana Martinez-Lott
Fresno Superior Court Office #3  –  Rosalina Nunez
Fresno Superior Court Office # 6  –  Deidre Adams
Fresno Superior Court Office # 14  –  Jaime Xiong-Vang
Fresno County Supervisor District 1  –  Maria Pacheco

NWPC CA Endorsements:
California State Senate District 14  –  Esmeralda Soria
California Assembly District 31  –  Annalisa Perea

I am so proud of this slate of women who asked us for support. I don’t think we have ever endorsed this many candidates in just one election. I am also very proud of our caucus for our willingness to support them, both with our endorsement and with our financial support. All of our candidates have worked hard in this campaign and we wish them well!

Now the disappointing news…. I just learned that while we have been interviewing candidates, working on plans for Women’s Equality Day, and planning for the Pride Parade, we failed to register to participate in the Pride Parade. Somehow that slipped through without our notice and the parade is full and not taking any more groups. I apologize to everyone, and I take personal responsibility for this oversight. 
 
The Pride Parade staff suggested that we, as individuals or as a group, ask to join with other groups who will be participating in the parade. I know many of us are already members of other groups who participate in this event. I hope everyone who was planning to join us can find a group who will welcome our members. I am so very sorry that we will not be able to be together and show NWPC’s support for the LGBTQ community. 

If you haven’t already voted, now is the time to complete your ballot and get it in by mail or in the ballot boxes located around the County. This is a critical election and every vote counts!

Hope to see you at our June 2nd meeting.  We’ll be finished in plenty of time for you go home to watch the early election results.

My best to all,

Lynn Badertscher   

The post President’s Message appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

At a time when communities across the nation are navigating misinformation, political division, rapid technological change, and growing questions surrounding public trust, Jim Boren brings decades of experience at the intersection of journalism, democracy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Boren currently serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State and teaches advanced reporting within the university’s Communications and Journalism Department, where he mentors the next generation of journalists and civic storytellers.

Following an extraordinary 48-year career in journalism, Boren retired in 2018 as Executive Editor and Senior Vice President of The Fresno Bee. Throughout his career, he helped shape newsroom strategy, guide editorial excellence, and navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape during some of the most transformative years in modern journalism.

Earlier in his career, Boren served as a national political reporter covering presidential campaigns and six national political conventions, while also reporting extensively on California state and local politics. His leadership and contributions to journalism earned national recognition, including being selected twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes—one of the profession’s highest distinctions.

Beyond the newsroom, Boren has remained deeply committed to education, community engagement, and strengthening democracy through informed public dialogue. At Fresno State, he founded the Media Institute and launched the Journalists of Color student training program to expand opportunity, promote diversity in media, and cultivate future leaders within journalism.

As communities increasingly face the challenge of navigating complex information environments, Boren has also become a leading voice in media literacy education—helping individuals better understand how information is created, shared, interpreted, and trusted.

His message is especially relevant to the mission of NWPC Fresno. Strong democracy depends on informed communities, thoughtful civic engagement, ethical leadership, and the ability to critically evaluate information shaping public policy and public perception.

This conversation will explore the vital role media literacy and public trust play in strengthening communities, empowering civic participation, and protecting democratic institutions for future generations.

We invite our members, guests, educators, advocates, and community leaders to join us for what promises to be a timely and meaningful discussion.

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• Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women
• Reproductive Rights to Choose
• Equal Pay for Women
• Access to Quality Child Care

I encourage you to hold off voting when your ballot first arrives in early May. There have been a number of candidates who have already dropped out of the race for governor and there may be more to come. Our own NWPC CA endorsed candidate for governor Betty Yee dropped out of the race in recent days, but her name will still be on the ballot. Eric Swalwell will be on the ballot too but he has withdrawn from the race. A vote for any withdrawn candidate is a wasted vote, so let’s wait until the later part of May to cast our ballots. It is crucial that our votes count in this important election.

So, let’s get ready for the June 2 primary. Watch the upcoming debates; do our homework and learn about the many candidates running for all the offices on our ballots; get your ballots in on time or go to your assigned polling place and vote in person. You may want to check out the NWPC CA website nwpcca.org to find who our state caucus has endorsed across the ballot.

This is such a critical time in our state and our nation. So much division, so much anger and so much distress among our citizens. I am proud of the work we do in endorsing and financially supporting local progressive women candidates. We support women who are problem solvers, not agitators. We support their work for our communities. Let us continue to do what we can to be agents for change in our community.

Be sure to join us at our May 5th for BIG NEWS about our
Women’s Equality Day Event!

So happy for our sisterhood!

Lynn Badertscher   

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Join us for a meaningful conversation on how education, leadership, and opportunity shape real outcomes for families—and how stronger, more connected systems can create lasting success in our communities.

In today’s evolving social and economic landscape, individuals and families are navigating increasingly complex systems in education, workforce development, and community support. While opportunities exist, many continue to face barriers that impact long-term stability and success.

Pha Mouavangsou will explore how education, leadership, and access to opportunity directly shape outcomes within our communities. Drawing from his experience as an educational leader and systems thinker, he will offer insight into how individuals enter and move through these systems, where gaps continue to exist, and how those gaps can impact families across generations. His perspective highlights how more connected and responsive systems can create stronger and more sustainable outcomes.

Pha is an experienced educational administrator and community leader currently serving at the University of California, San Francisco, where he leads operations within the Department of Medicine and supports campus life services.

Throughout his career, Pha has held leadership roles across higher education, including serving as a Dean, Director of Student Services, and Grant Director, focusing on student success, retention, and workforce readiness. His work has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of how individuals access education, navigate challenges, and transition into real-world opportunities.

His experience also includes working with individuals navigating critical life transitions through re-entry and transition programs with Merced Community College, including work connected to Valley State Prison. This work provided him with firsthand insight into the challenges of reintegration and how systems directly impact long-term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Pha has served as a Board Member for the Fresno Center for New Americans and the Children’s Services Network, and has been recognized as one of the Fresno Business Journal’s Top 40 Professionals Under 40.  He is also a graduate of Leadership Fresno (Class 27) and has contributed to initiatives through the Adult Education Taskforce and the Fresno County Human Resource Advisory Board, supporting efforts that strengthen education access, workforce development, and community resources.

Pha lives and works in California and remains committed to strengthening systems that support individuals, families, and the broader community.

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I heard so many people saying “I thought I was the only one ….” or “It feels so wonderful to be with so many likeminded people.” One woman said to me “I was so very angry when I got here. I hate what is happening to our country. When I looked around, I was overwhelmed by how many people were carrying signs that said what I’m here to say. I don’t know anyone in Fresno but this is my tribe.” I heard the word “tribe” over and over today.

We had a grand time reading the wonderful signs people were carrying. Here are some favorites:

• Keep Your Hands Off My Voting Rights & My Social Security
• They like their tea with ice, I like my tea in the harbor
• Resist
• Clean up on Aisle 47
• No Ice in America
• Bring Our Soldiers Home

I handed out lots of NWPC brochures to women standing on the sidewalk or holding signs and waving to the cars passing by. I told them about our caucus and about the work we do and the women we endorse and support. I really hope many of them will join us at an upcoming meeting. No one had heard of NWPC but everyone asked questions.

At a time when so many of us are angry, disheartened, and frankly afraid for our country, I came away from today’s No Kings event in Fresno feeling uplifted by the thousands of people standing on the sidewalk and peacefully proclaiming their objections to the direction and policies of our current administration. I didn’t see anyone passing by who was cursing at us, raising their fingers to us, or showing us any disrespect. Instead, we saw lots of people cheering us on and honking their horns is agreement. Fresno should be proud of the way everyone handled themselves at the No Kings event on this beautiful Saturday morning.

I look forward to seeing everyone in April!

Lynn Badertscher   

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In today’s social and educational landscape, more families are navigating autism, developmental differences, and the complexities of accessing care. As prevalence continues to rise—with 1 in 31 children diagnosed in the U.S.—this moment calls for more than awareness. It calls for informed, compassionate leadership in our schools, organizations, and communities.
 
Gina will discuss the growing prevalence of autism and what it means for our communities, while offering a lens on behavior as communication and connection rather than defiance. She will explore how healthcare, education, and policy systems intersect, and how gaps within these systems can impact families.
 
Gina Vue is the CEO and Founder of Innovative Minds ABA, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and an International Behavior Analyst specializing in trauma-informed, developmentally responsive care for children with autism and developmental differences. She also serves as the Interim Director of Behavioral Services at Easterseals Central California, where she supports the development and strengthening of ABA services within a long-standing nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities.
 
With over 20 years of experience in education, behavioral health, and family advocacy, Gina has dedicated her career to building systems of care that prioritize dignity, connection, and meaningful progress. She provides training to clinicians nationally and internationally and is a strong advocate for underserved and culturally diverse communities.
 
Gina lives and works in California and remains committed to strengthening community awareness, empowering families, and advancing compassionate, ethical practices in autism care.

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Best Wishes to Everyone and I hope to see you on March 3rd.

Lynn Badertscher   

The post President’s Message appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

In today’s political and social climate, many women are navigating stress, burnout, and increasing demands on their leadership. Sustainable advocacy requires not only passion, but resilience and connection to self. 

Joanne Lai will discuss trauma-informed care and somatic healing, and how reconnecting with the body strengthens authentic leadership. She will explore how stress and past experiences shape the way women show up in public spaces, and why grounded, regulated leaders are essential to building strong movements.

Joanne is the CEO and founder of Spiral & Bloom Embodiment Sanctuary and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner specializing in holistic, trauma-informed psychotherapy. She supports women navigating stress, burnout, cultural identity, and relational challenges through body-centered approaches that build resilience and lasting growth.

She is the recipient of the Top Ten Professional Women Award from the Marjaree Mason Center and serves as President of Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW). Her work has been featured in the documentary Final Fight: When the Trauma of War Comes Home, as well as in Fig Garden Magazine, Bold Journey, and on ABC30 News.

Joanne lives and works in the Central Valley and remains committed to strengthening leadership and community resilience.

The post Dinner Meeting March 3, 2026 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Among the most popular topics were Immigrant Success Stories; Candidate Forums or Hearing From the Candidates; the Dakota Eco Gardens; and Dementia. We will do our best to cover as many of the topics as we can this year. There was also a lot of interest in becoming more active in the campaigns in 2026. If you have suggestions for election activities, please share your ideas or information with a Board Member.

We had our first Board Meeting of the year on January 21st . Our Board is made of up new members and members who have been with our caucus for decades, and some of us have been around for a while; we are of many different backgrounds, experiences, ages and interests. I’m excited to see what we can make happen this year.

Apparently, at the January meeting, I forgot to update every one on our December donation to Faith in the Valley. Our $1,000 donation was directed to their Valley Watch Network Program. This program focuses on the immigration landscape in the Valley and the current status of ICE detentions and raids in our local communities. Thanks to all of you who for your generous contributions.

Looking forward to seeing you on February 3rd .

Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Please contact your member of Congress and make sure they know how you 
feel about the “State of Our Nation.”.

In Unity and Equality,

Lynn Badertscher   

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Based on our brainstorming session at the January meeting, one of the most popular topics was the Dakota EcoGarden. In February our speakers will be sharing the vision and work of the Dakota EcoGarden.

In July of 2012, homeless advocate Nancy Waidtlow purchased a 0.6 acre lot in West Central Fresno, where she founded the Dakota EcoGarden in late 2013.  It’s the original site of the Eco Village Project of Fresno and the first of its kind in the city.  There are many resources for the homeless in Fresno, but what makes it unique is the uplifting environment and democratic approach to developing a community.

The Dakota EcoGarden is open to people of all walks of life – regardless of gender, race or creed.  The mission of the Dakota EcoGarden, which is part of the Eco Village Project of Fresno, is to empower formerly homeless individuals with the skills needed for self-sufficient lifestyles that enable happiness, health and success.

The Dakota EcoGarden represents Nancy’s version of Fresno Architect Arthur Dyson’s original vision for an eco village.  Although the Dakota EcoGarden does not include a standard community building, the home on the property provides the same basic elements of a shared kitchen, living space and bathrooms. Tiny home residences, and tent structures provide living spaces for others in need.

The Eco Village and EcoGarden provide residents with places to live and the needed resources for residents to learn new skills or to further develop their existing skills.  Residents raise their own fruits and vegetables and they have access to computers for their use in seeking educational opportunities or to find employment.

Hope you will join us on February 3rd to learn more about this unique program in our
community!

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