Celebrating women of San Diego

Highlighting changemaking women’s achievements

RASHNO RAZMKHAH / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

With its rich and diverse culture, the city of San Diego is home to a long list of trailblazing women. 

Ranging from social justice, literature, and the arts, to science and technology, there are over thousands of women worth recognizing in the area. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few women that should be highlighted for their efforts in advancing positive social change within our community. 

Homayra Yusufi, social justice advocate

Homayra Yusufi was looking forward to staying home and enjoying every second of motherhood before the election of 2016. Yusufi, a refugee from Afghanistan, lived in San Diego since she was a young girl and dedicated her adult life to advocating for immigration reform and public policy. Throughout the years, she has been involved with American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). 

Yusufi is currently the Deputy Director of the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), whose mission is “to advance the full economic, social, & civic inclusion of refugees in the San Diego region, throughout California, and across the country.” 

Cara Dessert, CEO of the San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Center

One can’t highlight the progress of gender rights without recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and the community’s ongoing battle against inequality. Cara Dessert, who is queer herself, is the current CEO of the San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Center (“The Center”). During her time as CEO, the center provided direct service to over 80,000 community members, expanded its housing project, and developed another center that specifically aids LGBTQ+ youth. 

The center’s values of dignity, inclusion, compassion, respect, equity, and equality are truly practiced not just through acts of service, but advocacy and engagement. Dessert wishes to further expand the services that The center offers and influence change beyond the city of San Diego in the (hopefully) near future.  

Mary Casillas, mayor of Chula Vista

Just a short drive south of USD leads you to Chula Vista, a San Diego city mayored by Mary Casillas. Her extensive background in public service began over thirty years ago on the Civil Service Commission in the early 90s. 

In the early 2000s, she served on the Jobs, Wildlife, Water, and Economic Development committees and City Council before being elected as the first Latina mayor of Chula Vista and San Diego County. 

In addition to being a force in public office, she is also a loving mother and grandmother at home. 

Mother Rosalie Hill, USD founder

If you have ever been to the beautiful silent reading room in the Copley Library or had a class in Mother Rosalie hall, then you may have wondered why Mother Rosalie Hill is considered a significant figure here at USD. 

The university was first established as the San Diego College for Women. Hill’s vision for the university was based on its charming location, heart-warming faculty, and dedication to the advancement of goodness through faith. In her own words, “beauty will attract them; goodness will lead them; but the truth will hold them.”

The Women’s Commons here on campus is a great place to get involved with causes that you are most passionate about and find a community of peers who are also dedicated to inclusivity, diversity, and support. 

The Women’s Commons as well as the LGBTQ+ & Allies Commons are located on the fourth floor of the Student Life Pavilion. Erin Lovette-Colyer, the Director of Gender Identity Resources,  described the purpose of the Women’s Commons.

“The Women’s Commons invites students to find voice, develop skills for transformation, and understand who they are called to be… We advocate for a safe and supportive campus environment that creates equity among all voices,” Lovette-Coyler said. “The doors are always open to find support or attend one of their many social events that advocate for social change and education regarding gender issues here on campus.”

Women’s History Month might be coming to an end but the work that changemaking women do around the city of San Diego and here at USD are worth celebrating year round.