Democracy Works Award

Democracy Works in Yolo County

Every year, the League of Women Voters of Yolo County presents the Democracy Works Award to an individual and/or organization working to empower voters and defend democracy.

The League seeks nominees from throughout Yolo County whose actions support our citizens and our democratic processes.

These actions may include:

• Encouraging equal representation
• Promoting free and fair elections
• Expanding voter education and rights
• Advocating legislation that supports democracy and our communities
• Taking grassroots political action

Online Nomination Form

To submit a nomination online, complete this form:

Printed Nomination Form

To submit a nomination by mail, print and complete the PDF, typed or neatly hand-written, describing why you think a specific person or organization in Yolo County exemplifies democracy in action.

Download Nomination Form (PDF)

Mail to:

LWV of Yolo County
Democracy Works Award
P.O. Box 2463
Woodland, CA 95776

Past Democracy Works Awards

2024: Brown Issues and Laura Brubaker

Brown Issues, a California-based nonprofit, and Laura Brubaker, a Woodland resident, were selected as recipients of the 2024 Democracy Works award. The awards ceremony was on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at American Legion Post 77, 523 Bush St., Woodland.

Brown Issues was honored for their work with Latino youth, which uses narrative change and a supportive community to promote leadership skills, civic engagement, and voter education campaigns that encourage voter registration and voting among youth.

Laura Brubaker received the award for organizing a grassroots campaign that used the democratic process to place a recall measure for a local official on the ballot. She coordinated neighbors to canvass the area for signatures, submitting them in time to place the recall measure on the upcoming primary ballot, which saved the district $200,000 by avoiding a special election.

Both recipients met the award’s criteria, which include encouraging equal representation, promoting free and fair elections, expanding voter education and rights, advocating legislation that promotes democracy and our communities, or taking grassroots political action in Yolo County.

‘Democracy Works’ awarded to those who champion change
Woodland Daily Democrat, PUBLISHED: November 23, 2024

2023: Davis Media Access and Democracy Winters

Davis Media Access was honored for its commitment to providing free, non-partisan media coverage of local elections, thus promoting informed voter participation and increased civic engagement within the community.

Democracy Winters received the award for their non-partisan work to preserve democracy through community outreach and education, promoting voter participation and civic engagement at all levels of government.

Yolo County groups honored for supporting democracy
By Jim Smith | Special to the Democrat
PUBLISHED: October 22, 2023

2022 Tessa Smith

Tessa Smith received the 2022 Award for her work as Chair of the Multi-Cultural Community Council, a diverse group of Yolo County residents who serve in an advisory capacity to the Yolo County District Attorney.

“The mission of the MCCC is to seek fair and equal justice, facilitate understanding, ensure open communication, and promote community participation, education, and diversity within the criminal justice system.” ~Multi-Cultural Community Council | Yolo County District Attorney (yoloda.org)

Ms. Smith works as Dignity, Equality & Inclusivity Coordinator for Yolo County Health & Human Services. She is also involved in numerous other community groups, including the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Resilient Yolo, a group of trainers and providers who work to build resilience in children and families.

Woodland’s League of Women Voters announced the Democracy Works Award recipient for 2022
Daily Democrat, PUBLISHED: May 14, 2022

2021 and 2020: No Awards due to COVID-19

2019 Greta Galindo, Charlotte Beal, and Kathy Trott

Greta Galindo is the Library Services Director, providing oversight to the Literacy Programs as well as an array of library programs, activities, and services. She has been instrumental in fostering existing and developing new, cutting-edge services.

“The Library staff and I believe that the public library must serve all of our community with excellent programming and services.” ~Grata Galindo

Woodland Library’s Literacy Council is part of the program’s financial support system, as is the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, which has, for years, provided support for the GED & Diploma Program, one of its most successful.

Charlotte Beal has been a promoter, defender, instructor, and advocate for the GED & Diploma Program for Incarcerated Youth & Adults available through and in Yolo County’s Correctional System. This exceptional bilingual program provides the learning tools, skills, and instruction for incarcerated individuals who wish to obtain a GED or high school diploma.

Kathy Trott was recognized for her work as a local community activist and volunteer, advocating for housing for people who are unhoused. She is the past president of the Yolo County Hunger Coalition and has been the coordinator of the Children’s Theater Program for 23 years.

‘Democracy Works’ awards go to those who support community
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: October 25, 2019

2018 Youth Organizers for Y.E.S. and Yolo Neighborhood Court

Students who worked with the Yolo County Elections Office to plan the first Youth Empowerment Summit received the 2018 Democracy Works Award. The Summit is an event developed to introduce high school students in Yolo County to local elected officials, increase their understanding of local and state government and how it impacts their lives, and encourage civic engagement and leadership.

‘Democracy Works’ awards presented by Woodland LWV
Woodland Daily Democrat, PUBLISHED: November 1, 2018

YOLO NEIGHBORHOOD COURT is a program of the Yolo County District Attorney’s office. Its mission is to seek justice and do justice by pursuing alternative solutions to criminal offenses that cause harm to the local community. It does this through resolutions that are individualized, educational, and restorative to the victim, community, and participant.

Yolo County was the second county in California to implement a program built on the principles of restorative justice (after San Francisco).

2016: WAVE TV Channel 21

WAVE TV Channel 21 received the 2016 Award for its commitment to keeping the Woodland community informed by videotaping and airing numerous public meetings and League candidate forums. The channel airs local content provided by community groups or individuals. It films local government meetings, including Woodland City Council, Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees, and public events of local interest.

‘Democracy Works’ recognition for residents
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

NOTE: Wave TV is now Woodland TV

2015: Pat Murray

Pat Murray received the 2025 Award for her decades of making democracy and community work in Woodland and Yolo County. Pat served on the Woodland Planning Commission for 15 years and as co-president of the League of Women Voters of Woodland for four terms. She is a 20-year board member, leader, and active participant of the Woodland Library Rose Club, and has almost three decades of volunteer service at the UCD Arboretum to her credit. She has served on the Woodland Tree Foundation board since its inception and served as a board member of the Yolo Wayfarer Center (aka Fourth & Hope).

2014 Jenny Lillge

Jenny Lillge received the 2014 Award for starting a Change.org petition called “Choose 4000” to involve Woodlanders in the discussion of growth in Woodland during the early stages of the General Plan update in 2014. The number 4000 refers to the growth figure recommended by the independent consultants hired by the City.

The “Choose 4000” petition received nearly 600 signatures and comments of support in a few short weeks. As a result, the City Council voted to include a second scenario for 4,000 units as originally recommended (the 9,000-unit proposal is still being studied).

Woodlander Jenny Lillge honored with Democracy Works Award
Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

2013: Marco Lizzaraga, The Tree Foundation, and BJ Ford

Marco Lizzaraga received the 2013 Award for his many years of work for fair and free elections and for serving on the redistricting committees for the county, city, and school district.

The Woodland Tree Foundation received the 2013 Award for their urban tree planting and education efforts.

BJ Ford received the 2013 Award for her long-time and outstanding work as a community activist and charter member of the Woodland LWV.

Woodland League of Women Voters honors ”Democracy Works” recipients
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

2012 Sylvina Frausto and Woodland City Council

Sylvina Frausto received the 2012 Democracy Works Award for her past and ongoing efforts to better the lives of all families in Woodland, but especially Latino families. This work included creating “citizenship classes” to teach community members about the election process, how to interview candidates, and how propositions are created.

Current and former Woodland City Council members, Bill Marble, former Councilwoman Martie Dote, Mayor Skip Davies, former Councilman and Mayor Art Pimentel, and Tom Stallard, were also honored for their ongoing effort to begin to bring a reliable and clean water supply to Woodland with the formation of the Woodland Davis Clean Water Agency.

Woodland League of Women Voters honors those who make democracy work
Woodland Daily Democrat, August 30, 2018

2011 Leslie Marcus and the Daily Democrat

Leslie Marcus received the 2011 Award for her lifetime of activism on various issues in Woodland, including affordable housing.

The DAILY DEMOCRAT was honored for offering a forum for debate that only a newspaper can do, and for being an essential element in local democracy in Woodland.

Leslie Marcus earns ”Democracy Works” award
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

2010: Veterans Project: Erica Chung & Mike Owens

The Veterans Project leaders, Erica Chung and Mike Owens, Woodland High School teachers, and Al Castillo, American Legion Post 77 Commander, received the 2010 award for their joint effort in connecting high school students with veterans to hear their stories.

Democracy Works awards presented
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED August 30, 2018

2009: Jim Durst and Fritz Durst

Jim Durst and Fritz Durst, partners in the Durst Organic Farms, were honored with our Democracy Works Award for their commitment to sustainable farming practices and their generosity in feeding the hungry of Yolo County.

Woodland League of Women Voters honors farming cousins
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

2008: Audrey Doehne

Audrey Doehne received the 2008 Award for her dedication to peace and foreign policy education. For the past 7 years, under her leadership, a group of citizens has made it their responsibility and duty to attend a midday peace vigil in front of the Yolo County Courthouse every 4th Saturday of each month.

2007: Michael V. Brady

Michael V. Brady received the 2007 Award for his proactive and positive approach as chairperson of the City of Woodland’s “Green Waste Citizen Advisory Committee.”

Woodlander honored by LWV
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018

2006: Woodlanders for Responsible Government

Woodlanders for Responsible Government received our first annual Democracy Works Award for their work in promoting the spirit of democracy by taking positive action to promote the democratic process for citizens of Woodland.

LWV series begins with ”Counting Every Vote”
Woodland Daily Democrat, UPDATED: August 30, 2018