For my birthday this year, I’m asking you to help protect democracy in California.

I serve on the Board of the League of Women Voters of California because this work is deeply personal to me. As an immigrant and a woman of color from South Los Angeles, I grew up navigating a world where voices like mine were often overlooked. There were times I felt unseen, unheard, and unsafe, even in my own neighborhood. That fear could have silenced me. Instead, it pushed me to claim space and turn vulnerability into strength.

Becoming a homeowner in an under-resourced community changed everything for me. I saw up close how decisions were made without our voices, and how entire communities were treated as invisible. That experience led me to advocacy and to the League, where I could help ensure our communities are recognized, respected, and heard.

Today, that work is more urgent than ever. We are seeing open threats to elections, efforts to intimidate voters, and attempts to undermine local control of how elections are run. The League is not standing by. We are preparing. We work with local Leagues and election officials across California to protect voter access, safeguard election systems, and be ready to respond when democracy is threatened.

For my birthday, I’m raising funds for the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund so this critical work can continue. If you are able, I hope you will donate in honor of my birthday and help ensure every voter can participate safely and confidently.

Thank you for celebrating with me by standing up for democracy.

It's Jackie's Birthday!

By League of Women Voters of California

It's Jackie's Birthday!

Team Members