Women's History Month
Published: 02/27/25
Women’s History Month, celebrated every March since 1987, honors the remarkable contributions of women to history, culture, and society. What started as a weeklong observance in Sonoma, California, in 1978 gained national recognition when Congress officially designated March as Women’s History Month. The City of Riverside proudly joins in this celebration, recognizing the women who have shaped our community.
From Eliza Tibbets, who revolutionized the citrus industry, to Rose Mayes, a champion for civil rights, Riverside’s history is shaped by trailblazing women. Their legacy lives on through the educators, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs making an impact today. That same spirit thrives in Riverside’s women-owned businesses—innovative boutiques, creative studios, beloved restaurants, and groundbreaking enterprises that drive our economy and enrich our community. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate their contributions and encourage you to support the businesses shaping Riverside’s future.
Empowered Entrepreneurs
Check out a few spotlights on Riverside's women-owned businesses, celebrating the innovation, impact, and contributions of women entrepreneurs in our community.
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Visionary women whose contributions to agriculture, the arts, sports, and civic leadership continue to inspire future generations.
ELIZA TIBBETS
Eliza Tibbets played a pivotal role in establishing California's citrus industry. In 1873, she successfully cultivated the first Washington navel orange trees in Riverside, using grafts sent from Bahia, Brazil. Her efforts led to the proliferation of navel orange groves, transforming Riverside into a hub for citrus cultivation and significantly boosting California's economy..
Catharine Bettner
Catharine Bettner was a prominent figure in Riverside's early days. Along with her husband, she invested in local real estate and citrus groves that contributed to the city's cultural and social landscape. The Bettner House better known as “Heritage House”, stands as a testament to their influence the community and what life was like in Riverside at the turn of the 19th century
Mary Elizabeth Darling
Mary Elizabeth Darling, born in Nova Scotia in 1852, moved to Riverside in 1886 with her husband, Lorenzo. She was a key figure in Riverside’s social and cultural development and helped establish the Riverside Woman's Club. Additionally, she co-founded the Riverside Emergency Relief Association and played a significant role in preserving the city's historical landmarks, leaving a lasting impact on Riverside's community and heritage.
Virginia Blumenthal
Virginia Blumenthal is a renowned criminal defense attorney and community leader in Riverside, California. She founded the first woman-owned law firm in Inland Southern California in 1975 and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the U.S. Beyond her legal career, she has served on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees, co-founded the Riverside County High School Mock Trial program, and supported the arts and public safety.
Rose Mayes
Rose Mayes is a lifelong civil rights advocate in Riverside. As the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, she has dedicated her career to fighting housing discrimination and ensuring fair treatment for all. Mayes has also been instrumental in creating programs that provide resources and support for underserved communities, particularly focusing on low-income and minority residents.
Mine Okubo
Mine Okubo was a Japanese American artist and author, best known for her book "Citizen 13660," which chronicles her experiences in internment camps during World War II. After the war, she settled in Riverside, where she continued her artistic endeavors and contributed to the cultural fabric of the community.
M. Rosalind Sagara
M. Rosalind Sagara is a preservationist dedicated to honoring Riverside's Chinese American heritage. She co-founded and chairs the Save Our Chinatown Committee, leading efforts to protect and commemorate the early Chinese influence in Riverside. Her work aims to establish the Chinatown Memorial Park, preserving the legacy of early Chinese immigrants in the area.
Teresa “Terry” Frizzel
Teresa "Terry" Frizzel made history in 1990 when she became the first woman elected as Mayor of Riverside. Her leadership from 1990-1994 marked a significant moment in the city's history, inspiring future generations of women to pursue public service.
Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead
Cynthia "Sippy" Woodhead, a Riverside native, was a record-breaking swimmer who dominated the sport in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She won multiple gold medals at the 1978 World Championships and 1979 Pan American Games, setting several world records in freestyle events. Though she missed the 1980 Olympics due to the U.S. boycott, she made a comeback at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, earning a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle. In honor of her achievements, Riverside named a local pool after her, cementing her legacy in the sport.
Cheryl Miller
Cheryl Miller, a basketball legend from Riverside, CA, made history while playing for Riverside Poly High School. In 1982, she set a national record by scoring an incredible 105 points in a single game against Norte Vista High School. Her dominance continued at USC, where she led the Trojans to two NCAA championships and earned multiple Player of the Year honors. Though injuries prevented her from playing in the WNBA, she became a trailblazer as a coach and broadcaster, influencing the game at every level. Her impact on women's basketball remains unparalleled.
Myra Linn
Myra Reynolds Linn was a devoted educator and leader in the Alvord Unified School District, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, and her contributions were recognized when a new elementary school in AUSD was named in her honor in 1957 followed by a park adjacent to the school in 1980.
Ysabel Olvera and Margarita Solorio
In 1911, Ysabel Solorio Olvera and Margarita Salcedo Solorio fought for a neighborhood school in Riverside’s Casa Blanca community. Facing discrimination, they walked miles to present a petition demanding educational equity. Their efforts led to the establishment of Casa Blanca School in 1923, paving the way for the current.
Alice Rowan Johnson
Alice Rowan Johnson made history in 1896 as the first African American teacher certified in California, breaking racial barriers in education. She taught at the Trujillo School, a small rural school in Riverside, where she paved the way for future Black educators in the region. Johnson was also likely the first African American to teach white children in California, further challenging the racial norms of her time.
Anita Mackle
Anita Mackey, born on January 1, 1914, in Riverside, California, was a pioneering social worker who made history as the first African American supervisor at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Los Angeles outpatient clinic in 1953. A graduate of the University of Redlands and the University of Chicago, she dedicated her career to advancing mental health services and advocating for marginalized communities.
