By Manuel Muñoz Jr.
On March 12th, in Ventura, California State Senate Leader Monique Limón hosted the annual Women of the Year celebration to honor women from her congressional district that have made lasting contributions to the local communities. In collaboration with the Ventura County Credit Union [VCCU], Vida Newspaper, and the Port of Hueneme, the office of Senator Limón celebrated five women from Ventura County that have dedicated their lives to serving others in an effort to improve the quality of life for all.
Representing the 21st Senate District, Senator Limón has served as an advocated for women’s rights by supporting paid family leave, early childhood education programs, and the closing of the gender wage gap. She currently serves as the fiftieth President Pro Tempore of the State Senate – the first mother and the first Latina ever to hold the position.
As a tradition of the California State Legislature, this event is hosted every March to commemorate Women’s History Month and the great work women have done for their communities that so often goes unrecognized. Linda Rossi, president of the Ventura County Credit Union, opened the ceremony by welcoming all in attendance and emphasized the importance of honoring the countless women that work tirelessly to improve our communities every day. Manuel Muñoz, the publisher of Vida Newspaper, spoke to recognize the often-overlooked contributions of women to our communities as well as their crucial role in inspiring future generations. Assemblymember Steve Bennett, who represents the 38th District of California, spoke on the ways women from all backgrounds and walks of life make lasting positive changes in Ventura County and beyond.
The 2026 Women of Year honorees include Elena Brokaw, Christine Cardona-Threadgill, Haley Ehlers, Dr. Angela Montgomery Timmons, and Melissa Miller. As Senator Limón stated, “We honor these five remarkable and inspiring women leaders who are trailblazers, visionaries, and champions who use their voices to advance positive change in our communities. This celebration honors their accomplishments and contributions to Ventura County.”
Elena Brokaw, the Barbara Barnard Smith Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of Ventura County, has dedicated her work to building a stronger and more engaged community by creating bold and inclusive experiences in art, history, and culture. A graduate of Harvard University with a degree in art history, she is committed to ensuring that the stories of our communities are preserved and shared for future generations. In addition to her work with the Museum of Ventura County, Brokaw previously served as the Director of Ventura’s Park and Recreation Department and held positions on many regional boards, including the Ventura College Community Foundation, the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, and the Ventura County Social Justice Fund. A Ventura County native, Brokaw lives in Santa Paula with her family.
Born and raised in Ventura County, Christine Cardona-Threadgill is the Director of Programs for Friends of Fieldworkers and has dedicated her work to supporting fieldworker families through scholarships, emergency assistance funds, farm visits, and many other vital programs that help uplift our farmworker community. Her work with Friends of Fieldworkers is deeply personal since she grew up hearing stories from her relatives about their firsthand experiences working in the fields and orchards of California. In addition to her work for the farmworker community, Cardona-Threadgill plays an active role in the education of her three children by volunteering in their classrooms and parent-teacher associations.
Haley Ehlers is the Executive Director at Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas [CFROG], a grassroots environmental advocacy organization that strives to create a fossil fuel-free future on the Central Coast. Over the last five years, she has helped grow the organization’s impact by expanding its activist base, strengthening regional leadership ties, and launching strategic campaigns that advance proactive climate action and community resilience. A resident of Ventura, Ehlers is passionate about building locally rooted movements that champion climate justice, economic opportunity, and historically marginalized communities. Her volunteer service with the Peace Corps in Timor-Leste helped inspire her work in fossil fuel accountability and her deep-rooted commitment to defending our air, land, and water.
Dr. Angela Montgomery Timmons, a licensed clinical social worker and member of the Community Advocacy Coalition, is a longtime Ventura County resident who has dedicated her life and career to community service. As a licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Timmons has over forty years of experience in supporting individuals and their families and has held vital leadership roles, including Director of Social Services at Ventura County Medical Center and Operations Supervisor for the county’s inpatient psychiatric unit. Dr. Timmons is actively involved with the Community Advocacy Coalition, the NAACP, and the CSU Channel Islands Library Advancement Council. She is also a dedicated member of the Saint Paul Baptist Church. Her daughter, De’Shawnna Chiles-Hayes, accepted the award on her behalf since Dr. Timmons was away on a mission in Jamaica to support the communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
As the Community Partnerships Manager for the Ventura County Credit Union [VCCD], Melissa Miller helps build meaningful connections between businesses, non-profit organizations, and community leaders while advocating for support for those most in need. A California native, Miller is a dedicated community advocate and lifelong volunteer that actively serves in numerous leadership roles throughout the county, including the Moorpark College Foundation, the Ventura County Leadership Academy, and the Camarillo YMCA. She is the current Board Chair for the Turning Point Foundation and the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce as well as the co-founder of Changemakers, a collaborative group of women leaders working together to strengthen their communities.
Senator Limón closed the celebration by highlighting the various ways the honorees are advocates in Ventura County and mentors to the next generation of leaders in our community. These five leading women in their respective fields each received a personalized plaque commemorating their achievements from Senator Limón and were congratulated with applause from all in attendance.