Memorial
Honoring the women legislators who have passed — their service, their firsts, and their lasting contributions to the state of California.
These women gave their careers — and in many cases their lives — to the public service of California. Their legacies live on in the laws they wrote, the barriers they broke, and the paths they cleared for those who followed.
2024
Assemblywoman Patty Berg
Patricia “Patty” Berg, a fervent Democrat and former State Assemblywoman, passed away on November 19, 2024, in Eureka. A Humboldt County resident since 1974, Berg established herself as one of California Legislature’s most dependably progressive members, earning respect across political aisles. One of Patty’s proudest efforts involved carrying “Death with Dignity” legislation through 2005–2007, which ultimately spurred adoption of the landmark Compassionate Choices Act in 2015.
2023
Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez
Cindy Montañez, the trailblazing San Fernando politician and environmental advocate, died October 21, 2023 at age 49. She was the youngest person elected to San Fernando City Council in 1999 at age 25, and the youngest woman elected to California’s state Legislature at age 28 in 2002. Two years later she chaired the powerful Assembly Rules Committee, becoming the youngest person, first Latina, and first Democratic woman to hold that post.
Assemblywoman Gloria Molina
Gloria Molina, daughter of working-class parents and an unapologetic Chicana, died May 14, 2023 after battling cancer. She was 74. Molina achieved a series of firsts: first Latina Assembly member in California, first Latina on Los Angeles City Council, first Latina on L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Her battlegrounds included confronting politicians seeking to dump prisons in her Eastside district, spearheading affordable housing efforts, ensuring street cleaning in neglected neighborhoods, and pushing back against excessive public employee pension spikes and perks.
2021
Assemblywoman Wilma Chan
Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, a passionate civil rights and healthcare advocate, died November 3, 2021 after being struck by a motorist while walking her dog in Alameda at age 72. Born in Boston to Chinese immigrant parents, Chan attended Wellesley College and Stanford University. She was the first Asian American elected to numerous positions, including Alameda County Board of Supervisors (1994), state Assembly (2000–2006), and became the first Asian American Assembly majority leader.
2017
Secretary of State March Fong Eu
California political trailblazer March Fong Eu, the state’s first female Secretary of State and later U.S. Ambassador to Micronesia, died at age 95. Eu served four terms as a Democratic state assemblywoman representing Oakland before becoming California’s chief elections officer in 1975, holding that position until 1994 when President Bill Clinton named her Ambassador to Micronesia.
Senator Lucy Killea
Lucy Killea worked at the CIA and on Eleanor Roosevelt’s staff at the first United Nations General Assembly in 1946, later supporting San Diego’s trolley and downtown redevelopment. She navigated the Legislature during her time as one of a handful of women in Sacramento, advocating fiercely for women’s advancement in politics.
2016
Senator Marian Bergeson
Marian Bergeson, a longtime education advocate who served Orange County for decades, died at 90. She was a trailblazer as the first woman to win seats in both the state Assembly and Senate, initiating a wave of women successfully running for public office.
Senator Sharon Runner
State Sen. Sharon Runner, a longtime legislator championing expansive child protection laws, died at 62. She authored legislation expanding charter schools, improving foster care and adoption support, and was instrumental in drafting and passing “Jessica’s Law” in 2006, requiring GPS monitoring of sex offenders and restricting their proximity to schools and parks.
2013
Senator Pat Wiggins
Former North Coast state Sen. Pat Wiggins died after a long illness at 73. The Democrat overcame a hearing disability during her 14-year political career. She entered public office in the mid-1990s and became a leader of the local Democratic Party’s liberal faction. State Sen. Noreen Evans succeeded her in both the Assembly and Senate.
2012
Assemblymember Barbara Alby
Former Assemblywoman Barbara Alby, described as a welfare mom and domestic violence victim who became a state lawmaker, died at 66. Considered a force in Republican politics, she was named “Tax Fighter of the Year” annually during her Assembly service. Elected in 1993 representing Sacramento, she authored California’s Megan’s Law and landmark domestic violence arrest legislation.
Senator Cathie Wright
Cathie Wright, a Simi Valley Republican, served 20 years in the Assembly and state Senate from 1980 to 2000. The only woman among 15 Republicans in the state Senate, she described herself as “tenacious,” “irascible,” and “a fighter.” Wright was known as a hard-working, incisive lawmaker who favored abortion bans and opposed gun control.
2011
Senator Teresa Hughes
Teresa Hughes, a former Democratic state senator and assemblywoman from Los Angeles, died at 80. She was best known for her focus on education during 25 years in the California Legislature. In 1983, she co-wrote an education bill setting state graduation standards, lengthening the school day and year, raising teacher salaries and standards, and requiring prospective teachers to pass basic skills tests. Hughes chaired the Caucus of Women Legislators in 1985.
2010
Senator Jenny Oropeza
State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Long Beach Democrat known for drive and dedication to public service, died at 53. She was twice elected student body president at Cal State Long Beach and became the first Latina appointed to the California State University board in her 20s. Officials described her as “tenacious,” “caring,” and a “trailblazer.”
Their Stories Deserve to Be Preserved
Support WICP100’s mission to document and honor every woman who has served California’s Legislature.