Honoring Remarkable Women in OR-06
This Women's History Month, the Office of Representative Salinas office accepted submissions of inspiring women from across Oregon's sixth congressional district. In a speech on the House floor, Representative Salinas honored ten of these amazing women for their contributions to the community. Click here to watch Salinas' speech or read more about the honorees below:
Caitlin Sticka (Carlton, OR)
Caitlin is a two-time breast cancer survivor who founded the group With Courage in 2019 to provide support and resources for local families impacted by breast cancer. Her group offers many services and hosts monthly coffee get-togethers to foster a safe place for newly-diagnosed individuals and long time survivors to share their stories. Caitlin was submitted by a breast cancer survivor who was positively impacted by her work.
Kristen Stoller (Newberg, OR)
Kristen owns three dance studios and empowers young people to be confident and supportive of each other. She’s been involved with numerous organizations in Yamhill County, from the Chamber of Commerce to the Youth Services Committee. She founded a nonprofit called The Community Wellness Collective (CWC) to address mental health and suicide prevention in the community.
Remy Drabkin (Dayton, OR)
Remy is an elected official currently serving as the mayor of McMinnville. She is described as an advocate for “women and children, the unhoused, front-line hourly-wage workers, the LGBTQI+ community, the elderly, and K-12 students struggling in school.” Remy owns a business called Remy Wines and organized Wine Country Pride, an inclusive celebration of the LGBTQI+ community in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Lori Simpson (Keizer, OR)
Lori is described as someone who spent her life “making a solid home for her two boys.” She was widowed when her youngest was just 11 years old. Yet she continued to provide for her sons, all while working for a nonprofit in Salem, Catholic Community Services Oregon. She has worked at this nonprofit for more than 20 years, with a focus on supporting foster youth, homeless families, and the disabled.
Estela Anaya (Newberg, OR)
Estela left her home and family in Mexico twenty years ago to give her five children better opportunities. She is described by her family members as "the strongest, bravest, most beautiful woman," who never missed a meeting, concert, or game. Estela also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and St. Peters Friday dinners, where she provides a hot meal to people who don't have access to food.
Vivian Ang (Salem, OR)
Vivian started the Mid-Valley Literacy Center (MVLC) in 2009 when Chemeketa Community College disbanded its volunteer tutoring program for students in GED and ESOL programs. When she was a child, she failed third grade because she couldn't read. However, Vivian went on to earn a BA from Oregon State University and has continued to champion literacy. MVLC has trained over 750 volunteers who have, in turn, tutored over 4,000 adults.
Valerie Castillo (Keizer, OR)
Valerie works with food banks to collect funds and food for those in need. She regularly donates blood to help her community and has worked for years as a union steward. Valerie has been a host to exchange students for many years. She is described by those who know her as “in every way an everywoman.”
Erica Jauregui (Salem, OR)
Erica was homeless as a teen, but she turned that struggle into a plan to serve Oregonians at the Department of Human Services (ODHS). She’s now working at the ODHS Central Office, where she spearheads positive changes, like her most recent Multigen Summit where she was able to bring more than 600 staff members together to hear from a national speaker on how equity can factor into their work.
Namene James Rodgers (Salem, OR)
Namene is the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist for the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. She was hired to lead a new campaign to create an “Equity Plan” for the organization. Namene invented “The Diversity Pyramid,” which displays the four dimensions of diversity as a universal layering that molds our personalities.
Donna Lepley (Carlton, OR)
Donna experienced trauma at a young age and began drinking as a teenager. She was an alcoholic for 42 years before embracing recovery. At 57, she decided to go back to school, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in Psychology and Addiction Counseling. She now works with Provoking Hope to help those struggling with addiction – and is living proof recovery is possible.