Contra Costa Herstory

Women Writing the History of Women Leaders in Contra Costa County

Documenting the legacy of leadership since the founding of the Contra Costa National Women's Political Caucus in 1973

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Bay Area Women Political Leaders Panel
Bay Area Women Political Leaders
UC Berkeley Oral History • 2020
 Paving the Way Women's Struggle
Paving the Way: Women's Political Equality
CA State Archives • 2019
 1971 Berkeley Women's Protest
Berkeley Women's Anti-Nuclear Protest
Historical Footage • 1971
 Women's History Oral History Launch
Women's History Oral History Launch
CA State Archives • 2023
 Women's Rights Movement Footage
Women's Rights Movement
Documentary Footage • 1970s
 California Women Suffrage
110 Years of California Suffrage
Pasadena History Museum • 2021
 Women's Liberation Center
Women's Liberation Center Celebrates
KTLA News Archive • 1972
 Women's Rights TV News
Women's Rights Movement on TV News
Vanderbilt Archive • 1970s
 California Women Win Vote
California Women Win the Vote
Wild West Women Films • 2011
 1970s Women's Movement
1970s Women's Movement
Public Domain Archive • 1970s
 Bay Area Women Political Leaders Panel
Bay Area Women Political Leaders
UC Berkeley Oral History • 2020
 Paving the Way Women's Struggle
Paving the Way: Women's Political Equality
CA State Archives • 2019
 1971 Berkeley Women's Protest
Berkeley Women's Anti-Nuclear Protest
Historical Footage • 1971
 Women's History Oral History Launch
Women's History Oral History Launch
CA State Archives • 2023
 Women's Rights Movement Footage
Women's Rights Movement
Documentary Footage • 1970s
 California Women Suffrage
110 Years of California Suffrage
Pasadena History Museum • 2021
 Women's Liberation Center
Women's Liberation Center Celebrates
KTLA News Archive • 1972
 Women's Rights TV News
Women's Rights Movement on TV News
Vanderbilt Archive • 1970s
 California Women Win Vote
California Women Win the Vote
Wild West Women Films • 2011
 1970s Women's Movement
1970s Women's Movement
Public Domain Archive • 1970s

Milestones Timeline

Five decades of women's leadership transforming Contra Costa County

July 1973

Contra Costa NWPC Founding Meeting

NWPC Founding Mother Paula Schiff hosted the organizational meeting of the Contra Costa NWPC at her home in Walnut Creek. Approximately 20 women attended and signed the petition to form the local NWPC chapter, marking the beginning of organized women's political action in the county. Elaine Jegi served as Co-Chair of the founding chapter.

Early women's political organizing - 1970s campaign event
Frances Sissy Farenthold
February 1973

Frances "Sissy" Farenthold Elected First NWPC Chair

At the first NWPC convention, Frances "Sissy" Farenthold, former Texas state legislator, was elected as the organization's first national chair. Her leadership set the tone for the Caucus's commitment to electing women to public office.

1974

First NWPC Fundraising Campaign: The Pyramid Lunch

The newly formed Contra Costa chapter organized its first major fundraising event to support women candidates for local office. Elaine Jegi pioneered the innovative "Pyramid Lunch" strategy, hosting a luncheon where each guest was asked to host their own luncheon for six more women. One attendee at this historic first Pyramid Lunch was 30-year-old Sunne McPeak, then a candidate for County Supervisor.

NWPC founding meeting historical photo
Early NWPC organizing meeting
November 1974

Lillian Pride Elected First Woman to Hospital District

Lillian Pride was elected as the first woman to serve on the Pittsburg Community Hospital District, breaking barriers in healthcare governance and demonstrating the growing influence of women in local politics. She was one of the early candidates supported by the NWPC.

April 1975

County Rejects Status of Women Commission

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to defeat the proposal to establish a County Status of Women Commission during the International Year of Women. This action galvanized NWPC's conviction to elect more women, especially to the County Board of Supervisors.

Contra Costa County Courthouse
1970s women's movement rally
1976

Historic Breakthrough: First Women Elected

Nancy Cardinalli Fahden was elected as the first woman to serve on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, winning with 65% of the vote. The same year, June Bulman was elected to Concord City Council with grassroots support from NWPC members, marking a turning point for women in county politics. Both victories demonstrated the effectiveness of organized women's political action and the power of door-to-door grassroots organizing.

1978

Moraga's First Woman Mayor

Susan McNulty Rainey, who had been instrumental in Moraga's incorporation, became the town's first woman Mayor. Her leadership marked the beginning of a decades-long career in public service that would include groundbreaking roles across multiple agencies, from Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to Contra Costa LAFCO to three terms as Mayor of Walnut Creek.

NWPC meeting in home setting - 1970s
Women's Strike for Equality historical photo
1979-1981

Iris Mitgang Leads National NWPC

Iris Mitgang, a member of the Contra Costa NWPC sister caucus, served as National Chair of the National Women's Political Caucus. During her tenure, she secured platform planks for the Equal Rights Amendment and abortion funding at the 1980 Democratic Convention. Her national leadership provided crucial mentorship to local women leaders including Sunne McPeak.

1980

New Generation of Leaders Emerges

Sunne Wright McPeak was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at age 30, beginning a 15-year tenure that would transform county government. The same year, Longshore DeGolia was elected to Concord City Council after learning campaign skills at NWPC's "See How She Runs" training, demonstrating how the organization's mentorship programs were creating pathways for women's political success.

Sunne Wright McPeak
Contemporary women leaders gathering
1984-1986

Mary Lou Lucas Becomes Walnut Creek Mayor

Mary Lou Lucas, a founding member of the Contra Costa NWPC in the early 1970s, was elected to Walnut Creek City Council and served as Mayor from 1984-1986. She tackled critical growth management issues and co-founded the influential 'Contra Costa Insider' political newsletter, combining her grassroots organizing experience with governance leadership.

1986-1994

Urban Planning Expertise Comes to City Council

Cathryn Freitas, holding a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning, was elected to Antioch City Council, bringing professional urban planning credentials to local government. She served two full four-year terms, representing East County perspectives on regional transportation and development issues during a period of rapid growth.

Modern women leader portrait
Karen Mitchoff
1989-1997

El Cerrito's All-Women Council

Norma Jellison was elected to El Cerrito City Council, joining a historic council of four women and one man (whom they jokingly called their "token male"). She served as Mayor twice (1991-1992 and 1995-1997), leading the city through the challenging state budget crisis of the early 1990s. Her environmental expertise from working at Ohio EPA informed her regional leadership on the League of California Cities East Bay Division Board.

2004-2013

Regional Economic Leadership: Linda Best

Linda Best served as President & CEO of the Contra Costa Council (later East Bay Leadership Council) for nine years, transforming it from a business-only organization into an inclusive regional coalition. Her leadership on transportation, Delta protection, and Plan Bay Area demonstrated how women's collaborative approach was reshaping regional policy. She continues service on boards including STAND! for Families Free of Violence and Tech Exchange.

Campaign support for women candidates
Karen Mitchoff
2010-2022

Karen Mitchoff's Leadership Era

Karen Mitchoff served as Contra Costa County Supervisor for District 4, representing Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. Her 50-year career in public service—from Sheriff's legal secretary at age 17 to County Board Chair—exemplified the success of women's political organizing. She championed transportation infrastructure, library systems, Measure X social services, and COVID-19 crisis leadership. The County Board Chambers were renamed in her honor.

2020-2025

Documenting History: The Herstory Project

Launch of the Contra Costa Herstory Project to document and preserve the legacy of women leaders who transformed the county's political landscape. Led by Sunne Wright McPeak and Karen Mitchoff, this initiative ensures that future generations understand and build upon the remarkable foundation established by the NWPC founding mothers and the women leaders who followed.

Modern women leader portrait

Women Leaders Profiles

Pioneers who broke barriers and created pathways

Nancy Cardinalli Fahden

Nancy Cardinalli Fahden

First Woman County Supervisor, 1976-1992

"Accidental candidate" who became the first woman elected to Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, winning with 65% of the vote in 1976. Served 16 transformative years.

Paula Schiff

Paula Schiff

NWPC Founding Mother, 1973

Co-founded Contra Costa NWPC chapter in 1973, hosting the founding meeting at her Walnut Creek home. Over 50 years supporting hundreds of women candidates.

Elaine Jegi

Elaine Jegi

NWPC Co-Chair & Founding Mother, 1974

From Finnish farm to feminist organizing. Served as NWPC Co-Chair in 1974, pioneered the innovative "Pyramid Lunch" fundraising strategy that launched countless campaigns.

Sunne Wright McPeak

Sunne Wright McPeak

County Supervisor & State Leader

Elected County Supervisor at age 30, served 15 years, later became California Secretary of Business, Transportation & Housing. Led CETF for 19 years closing the Digital Divide.

Susan McNulty Rainey

Susan McNulty Rainey

Trailblazer Across Multiple Agencies

Army Nurse Corps veteran, Moraga's first woman Mayor (1978), first woman on Central Sanitary District board, three terms as Walnut Creek Mayor. Five decades of groundbreaking service.

Mary Lou Lucas

Mary Lou Lucas

NWPC Founder & Walnut Creek Mayor

Founding member of Contra Costa NWPC (early 1970s), served as Walnut Creek City Clerk, then Mayor (1984-1986). Co-founded influential 'Contra Costa Insider' political newsletter.

Longshore DeGolia

Longshore DeGolia

Business Owner & Concord Councilwoman

Challenged Chamber of Commerce gender discrimination in 1973. Elected to Concord City Council (1980-1989) after NWPC "See How She Runs" training. Mayor and advocate for transparent government.

Cathryn Freitas

Cathryn Freitas

Urban Planning Pioneer

Master's in City & Regional Planning. Antioch City Council (1986-1994), served on regional transportation boards. Brought professional urban planning expertise to local government decision-making.

Norma Jellison

Norma Jellison

Environmental Champion

Ohio EPA environmental management pioneer. El Cerrito City Council (1989-1997), Mayor twice (1991-1992, 1995-1997). Led city through state budget crisis with steady environmental stewardship.

Linda Best

Linda Best

Regional Economic Leader

President & CEO of Contra Costa Council/East Bay Leadership Council (2004-2013). Transformed organization into inclusive regional coalition. Continues leadership on STAND!, Tech Exchange boards.

Karen Mitchoff

Karen Mitchoff

County Supervisor & Board Chair

Served 50 years in public service, from legal secretary to County Board Chair. District 4 Supervisor (2010-2022). County Board Chambers renamed in her honor.

Frances Sissy Farenthold

Frances "Sissy" Farenthold

First NWPC National Chair

Texas legislator and pioneering feminist who became the first chair of the National Women's Political Caucus, setting the standard for women's political leadership nationwide.

In Memory of Iris Mitgang

National NWPC Chair (1979-1981) • Attorney • Activist • Feminist Pioneer

September 2, 1937 – May 6, 2017

Iris Mitgang was a pioneering force in the National Women's Political Caucus and a champion for women's representation in politics. As National Chair from 1979-1981, she secured platform planks for the Equal Rights Amendment and abortion funding at the 1980 Democratic Convention, demonstrating fearless advocacy for women's rights.

A member of the Contra Costa NWPC sister caucus, Iris provided national leadership and mentored local women leaders including Sunne McPeak. Her family law practice in Oakland, her support of Barbara Boxer and Geraldine Ferraro, and her unwavering commitment to electing women created ripples that transformed our county's political landscape.

Despite a severe brain injury from a 1997 traffic accident that required 20 years of care, she lived to see Hillary Clinton's presidential nomination in 2016—a moment that reflected the progress she had fought so hard to achieve. Her legacy lives on through the Iris Feldman Mitgang Internship at the National Women's Law Center and in every woman who serves in elected office today.

This project is dedicated to her memory and the countless women she inspired.

Read Iris's Full Story

Share Your Herstory

We want YOUR story to chronicle the legacy of leadership

Framework for Your Story

Background Information

  • • Name and current/former positions
  • • Appointed or elected public offices
  • • Civic leadership roles and dates
  • • Volunteer experience and organizations
  • • NWPC membership history

Reflection Questions

  • • What moved you to become involved?
  • • How is it different for women today?
  • • Why remain involved in public life?
  • • How has your leadership made a difference?
  • • Advice for the next generation?

What to Include

Personal Journey

  • • Experiences that shaped your perspective
  • • Education and early influences
  • • Family and workplace experiences
  • • Motivation for public involvement

Supporting Materials

  • • Historical photographs
  • • Campaign materials and brochures
  • • News articles and documentation
  • • Personal correspondence
  • • Your favorite quotes by/about women

Submit Your Story

Email your Herstory, photos, and materials to: [email protected] and [email protected]

Email Your Story

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist

🎉 You Found the Secret! 🎉

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
— Inspired by the courage of the women who paved the way since 1973

Click the film strip 3 times to discover this tribute to all the women leaders who changed Contra Costa County forever.