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