Sen. Blakespear Honors Caroline Matthews as Woman of the Year

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
• Cherie Steijn, Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo Lions Club
• Barbara J. Thomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, Cota De Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita Rotary Club