Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo) announced Senate District Three’s 2025 Woman of the Year — Carol Whichard, who was recognized for her tireless efforts advocating for working families, standing up for the LGBTQ+ community and protecting women’s rights.

“Carol has been a trailblazer in every endeavor she has committed herself to. Whether being hired as the first woman in a traditionally male dominated profession, to representing CWA workers across the Bay Area, to advocating for social causes we in California hold dear including women’s rights and LGBTQ rights,” said Senator Cabaldon. “Carol has been there fighting for us.”

According to a release from Cabaldon’s office, Carol joined Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9411 in 1974, starting her career with Pacific Telephone and Telegraph as a Splicing Tech. She was later elected President of CWA Local 9411 and went on to be elected for eight consecutive terms, serving CWA members for 24 years as their President and eventually representing CWA members in seven Bay Area counties.

Carol has served on the Napa County Workforce Investment Board, was President of the Napa County Democratic Club, and is a founder of the Unity League, a social and civic group who would go on to form many LGBTQ+ groups in Napa County.She also served on the Napa County Commission on the Status of Women, where she founded the Ophelia Conference, a daylong conference designed for 9th grade girls to create a sense of self-esteem and empowerment as these girls headed into adulthood. Carol is a founding member of the Progressive Women of Napa Valley, a group working tto empower and train women seeking elected office.

The California State Senate honored awardees from across the state on the Senate floor Monday, March 11, 2025., including Whichard, who was intially surprised she was the recipient of this title.

“When I learned Senator Cabaldon had selected me for this honor, I was surprised and humbled,” she said. “I’m so proud to be his choice, and I’m so proud that he’s our Senator!”

When finding out she received the award, Whichard stated there were a few things motivating her to continue in her work of community service.

“One of those things is my love of people, particularly people who are wiser than I. They keep me afloat. Shared wisdom is magical,” she remarked. “The other things that keep me engaged and/or enraged is that I believe women’s rights are human rights, that the LGBTQ community is welcome at every table, that all lives matter and that working families have been left behind for decades. I will fight tirelessly for this for the rest of my life.”