Shattering Ceilings, Blazing Trails:
24 Remarkable Women of the CSU

For Women's History Month and the 100^th anniversary of women's suffrage (in 2020), we highlighted not only those who've broken ground, but younger generations who are following in their footsteps. From science and sports to politics and art, these exceptional women are transforming their fields on a global level.

Meet one shining example from each of our campuses.

Judy Baca

Alumna, CSUN

Award-winning muralist, educator and social activist

Congresswoman
Karen Bass

Alumna, CSU Dominguez Hills

First African American woman in U.S. history to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body

Kari Brandt

Alumna, Cal State San Bernardino

Founder of Women of Patrol, which strives to create a more inclusive environment in the ski patrol industry

Raji Brar

Alumna, CSU Bakersfield

First Sikh woman elected to a California city council

Lorena Checa

Alumna/Staff, CSU San Marcos

Vice President of Student Affairs/recipient of the Scott Goodnight Award for outstanding contributions to her field

Jessica Lynn Clay

Student, CSU Channel Islands

Dancer and choreographer with cerebral palsy who is forging pathways in integrative dance

Kerri Donis

Alumna, Fresno State

First female fire chief in Fresno

Tanya Garcia

Alumna, Humboldt State

Co-founder of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at HSU

Bre Holbert

Student, Chico State

First African American woman national president of Future Farmers of America in its
90-year history

Billie Jean King

Alumna, Cal State LA

Legendary tennis champion and social activist

Dr. Heather Liwanag

Faculty, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Assistant professor of biology and noted researcher of seal pups in Antarctica

Molly Murphy MacGregor

Alumna, Sonoma State

Executive director and cofounder of the National Women’s History Alliance, whose work led to the creation of Women’s History Month

Dr. Lynn Mahoney

President, San Francisco State

First female president of SFSU appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees

Kate McCue

Alumna, Cal Maritime

World's first female captain of a cruise ship

Alyssa Nakken

Alumna, Sacramento State

First female full-time assistant coach in Major League Baseball history

Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Alumna, Cal State Long Beach

First woman to solo-direct an animated movie (“Kung Fu Panda 2")

Dr. Ellen Ochoa

Alumna, San Diego State

First Latinx woman to go to space

Dr. Judy Sakaki

Alumna, Cal State East Bay

First Japanese American woman to become president of a university

Elvyra San Juan

Assistant Vice Chancellor, CSU Office of the Chancellor

A leader in the predominantly male field of capital planning, design and construction with oversight of approximately $12 billion since 2003

Merlyn Calderon Schultz

Alumna, CSU Monterey Bay

National labor union leader and U.S. diplomat

L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis

Alumna, Cal Poly Pomona

Secretary of Labor under President Barack Obama; the first Latina to hold a cabinet-level position

Dr. Nancy Stoyer

Alumna, Stanislaus State

Chemist who helped discover and name new elements 113,
115, 116 and 118

Aisha Wahab

Alumna, San José State

First Afghan American elected to public office in the U.S. as Hayward City councilwoman

Linda Woolverton

Alumna, Cal State Fullerton

First solo female screenwriter of a billion-dollar movie (“Alice in Wonderland")

If you’d like to meet more remarkable CSU women, see our Women & Leadership profiles from 2018.

Share a Story

Do you know a CSU student, alumni, faculty or staff member you think should be recognized during Women's History Month? We’d love to hear from you! Please submit your entry in 40 words or less.

Your Email*

Their Name*

Why They're Remarkable*

Submit

Shattering Ceilings, Blaz​ing Trails:24 Remarkable ​Women o​f the CSU