Sen. Blakespear Honors Caroline Matthews as Woman of the Year

Caroline Matthews (left), Senate District 38 Woman of the Year, with Sen. Blakespear outside the California State Senate chambers.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, on Monday honored Caroline Matthews as Senate District 38 Woman of the Year in a special ceremony on the Senate floor.

Matthews, a resident of Solana Beach, is the supervising attorney at Pathways to Citizenship, an immigration law nonprofit dedicated to keeping families together and helping eligible immigrants move toward permanent status and citizenship.

“Nowadays, hardworking immigrant families are fearful of our immigration system and often lack trust in others for help, but thanks to Caroline and people like her, they can get the support and guidance they need to understand the law, follow it and keep their families together,” Sen. Blakespear said. “Caroline’s courage, compassion and dedication is an inspiration. I am thrilled to honor Caroline Matthews as the Senate District 38 Woman of the Year for 2026.”

When Pathways needed a supervising attorney, Matthews stepped away from her role on the organization’s board and jumped into immigration law, an entirely new field of practice for her. She tackled the challenge with urgency, learning immigration law as quickly as possible while developing strong relationships with community partners and service providers. 

Matthews became a reliable voice for the community, educating families and advocates about rapidly changing legal policies and their real-world impact. To date, she has represented hundreds of immigrant families in affirmative immigration cases, helping them secure safety, stability and lawful status. 

When the stakes were highest, Matthews stepped into court herself, taking on detention cases to secure the release of local immigrants who were wrongfully detained and reunite them with their families. She has also helped expand Pathways’ services by recruiting and mentoring pro bono attorneys and law clerks, so more families could be assisted.

In celebration of Women's History Month, the Legislative Women’s Caucus holds a ceremony for each year member of the state Legislature to recognize women from the district they represent for outstanding accomplishments and service to communities. 

In addition, Sen. Blakespear separately highlights women from across her district for their leadership and contributions through her “Women Who Inspire” recognition program. This year, the program honors more than 70 women. 

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38. Her constituents live in northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website. 

2026 WOMEN WHO INSPIRE HONOREES

San Diego County

Name, City or County, Organization or Occupation

Erica Alfaro, Oceanside, Author and inspirational speaker

Christie Calderwood, Carlsbad, Carlsbad Police Department

Lynne Calkins, Encinitas, End of Life Choices California

Robyn Davidoff, San Diego, Sierra Club                      

Jeannine Davidson, Vista, Amai

Sue Dwyer-Voss, Oceanside, Vista Unified School District   

Savannah Fakhouri, San Diego, UC San Diego School of Medicine

Stephanie Feldstein, San Diego, Author/Center for Biological Diversity

Sara Gianella, San Diego, UC Dan Diego

Rushell D. Gordon, Oceanside, Bliss Tea & Treats

Carolyn Grant, Encinitas, Museum of Making Music

Jessica Hacker, Carlsbad, Sage Creek High School

Debra Halliday, Encinitas, Halliday Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness

Erin Hardin, Oceanside, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation

Lindsey Head, San Diego, Curls Poppin’ Inc.

Jennifer Hughes, Vista, North Terrace Elementary School

Kimberly Jones, Encinitas, Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce

Bonnie Kerlew, Oceanside, United Domestic Workers

Carol Kerridge, Del Mar, Del Mar Climate

Maddy Kilkenny, Carlsbad, Intesa Communications Group

Narima Lopes, Encinitas, Encinitas North County Democratic Club

Rebecca Macdonald, Encinitas, Capri Elementary School

Caroline Matthews, Solana Beach, Pathways to Citizenship

Deborah Mossa, Carlsbad, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation

Tracy Myers, Encinitas, Advertising Arts College

Rebecca Nussbaum, Vista, Community Resource Center

Holly Okonkwo, Oceanside, UC San Diego

Kyla Peterson, Oceanside, SurfinFire Surf School

Linda Pinney, Del Mar, Del Mar Community Connections

Sue Porter, Oceanside, Defenders of Democracy

Mary Rose Reaston, Vista, Segen-Health

Grace Redgate, San Diego, Public Consulting Group

Reese Rifkin, Encinitas, SurfinAid Make a Wave Challenge

Lisa Rodman, Carlsbad, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation

Annie Rodriguez, Encinitas, GenerateHope

Nancy Rohland-Heinrich, Encinitas, National University

Dr. Leila Safaralian, Oceanside, MiraCosta College

Barna Saha, San Diego, UC San Diego

Erica Snyder, Oceanside, Community housing consultant

Judi Strang, San Diego, San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth

Lois Sunrich, Encinitas, Retired Founding Director of Story Arts Inc.

Robin Toft, San Diego, Curebound

Tami Vail, Carlsbad, Kahana Feld LLP’s

Julie Vitale, Oceanside, Oceanside Unified School District

Ruth Waterman, San Diego, UC San Diego

Rachel White, Oceanside, North County African American Women’s Association 

Naimeh Woodward, Encinitas, San Diego Visual Arts Network, Encinitas Friends of the Arts, North Country Arts Network

Jessica Yaffa, North County, NoSilence NoViolence

Janet Yang, San Diego, Canyon Crest Academy

Mihoko Zaun, Carlsbad, Carlsbad Library

Orange County 

Name, City or County, Organization or Occupation

Rebecca L. Allein, Mission Viejo, Marriage and family therapist

Jennifer Bergener, Orange County, OCTA

Maria Brennan, Orange County, OCTA

Michelle Bryant, San Juan Capistrano, The Massage Associates

Sarah Catz, Orange County, OCTA

Sarvy Ferro, San Juan Capistrano, Hearts of Gold 

Jenny Galaviz, Orange County, Mobility 21

Cynthia Guardado, Orange County, OCTA

Edith Gutierrez, San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Boxing Gym

Mary Hartmann, Orange County, Girl in the Curl Surf

Shannon Illingworth, San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Unified School District

Shela Kaneshiro, Laguna Hills, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center

Mechelle Laurence Adams, San Juan Capistrano, Mission San Juan Capistrano

Sarena Morse, Mission Viejo, Supporter of nonprofit organizations 

Ezat Mostahkam, Laguna Hills, Homemaker/military supporter

Nina Nakhiengchanh, Mission Viejo, Atria del Sol

Kathy Pulido-Price, Laguna Hills, Pulido Jewelers & Repair

Maritza Rebollar, San Juan Capistrano, Unidos South OC

Janae Reed, Mission Viejo, Gym owner/personal trainer

Barbara J. Thomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, Cota De Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita Rotary Club