Discover the fascinating histories of Jewish, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino immigration to Sonoma County. How we all came here, overcame obstacles, and thrived. 

Hear personal narratives that feature the experiences of:

• Japanese settlers: family stories over six generations. 

• Chinese immigrants who faced prejudice and the Chinese Exclusion Act.

• The forgotten Filipino pioneers in Sonoma County who contributed to the seed and hop agribusiness while living under adverse conditions. 

• The chicken farmers, retail mavens, and winemakers among the first Sonoma County Jews.

 Presentations will be followed by Q&A. Refreshments will be served, seating is limited. 

To attend in person, register below. 

To join us via Zoom, please register in advance to receive your link.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Cecilia Shimizu is from the Japanese American Citizens League, JACL. Cecelia Shimizu is a recent Sonoma State University graduate with her degree in Psychology and is looking forward to continuing her education with a masters degree in Business Administration. She is also the current Secretary for the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League a board member of the Northern California Western Nevada Pacific District Youth Board. She has a passion for sharing her families story as a way to spread awareness about the dangers of intolerance.

Nancy Wang is from the Redwood Empire Chinese Association, RECA. Nancy Wang, originally from Taiwan, moved to Santa Rosa in 1977 and raised her family here. She is a founding member and current president of the Redwood Empire Chinese Association. RECA promotes intercultural understanding through presentations of cultural programs for schools, businesses, governmental agencies and private requests. For twelve years, Nancy sat on the Community Advisory Board of Santa Rosa. Currently, Nancy is on the board of directors for the Museum of Sonoma County. 

Michael Viloria is from the Filipino American National Historical Society of Sonoma County, FANHS. Michael was born in Santa Rosa, California, the fourth child of Maximo, a Filipino immigrant, and Alicia Trevino, a Mexican/American and native of Laredo, Texas. Michael was a Community Organizer for the Sisters of St. Joseph for ten years. In 2005 he took a position organizing for C.O.P.S. and the Metro Alliance in San Antonio, Texas, and part of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) a network of organizations throughout the United States. After returning to California, he started work as a Union Representative with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), in the healthcare industry and later with public service workers. Michael has always been involved in community affairs such as the Sonoma County Community Development Committee, the Sonoma County YMCA, the Santa Rosa Board of Community Services, and the Graton Day Labor Center. Presently, he serves as President of the Filipino/American National Historical Society Sonoma County chapter (FANHS-Sonoma). He served several terms, spanning over twenty-five years, as President of the Filipino American Community of Sonoma County (FACSCI). Michael is married and has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Padi Selwyn, CST member, is a community activist, author and businesswoman. She is a past president of National Speakers Association, bank co-founder, ad agency president and co-author/producer of the play "Chutzpah" about the Petaluma Jewish Chicken Farmers. She was Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations, at Exchange Bank, before retiring.

Register below to attend in person: