Building An Organization
The CWA was formed in the aftermath of the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 and in the midst of the UFW’s Proposition 14 Farm Labor Initiative campaign. Observing the success of CROP, Patricia “Corky” Larson, a thermal grape grower, contacted Beverly Sfingi to discuss the possibility of organizing supporters of agribusiness in order to develop a grassroots, exclusive women’s group that spoke on behalf of the busy farmer, and educates consumers and legislators about the agricultural industry. As a result, CROP evolved into the Coachella Valley chapter of the CWA, the first chapter of the CWA. During the summer of 1975, Beverly Sfingi, Cherry Ishimatsu, Patricia “Corky” Larson, and Jeri Taylor became the founding members of the CWA as they met regularly over the summer to create a constitution, bylaws, and a logo for the CWA organization. The founders began recruiting members to the organization during the CWA’s first official meeting on November 17, 1975. Twenty-three women gathered at the home of Jeri Taylor for the meeting to elect officers. As a result, Beverly Sfingi was elected as the first president of the Coachella Valley (Indio) Chapter and Patricia “Corky” Larson was elected as President of the Palm Springs Chapter.
Over the course of the next two months, Patricia “Corky” Larson urged the CWA to develop into a statewide organization. In January 1976, 200 women involved in agribusiness assembled for the CWA’s first statewide meeting in Palm Springs, California. The women discussed goals of representing the agricultural industry, studying the voting records of California state legislators and staying informed as to local, state, and national legislation impacting agriculture. Additionally, these women pledged to personally contact legislators, develop rapport between farmers and religious communities, youth, consumers, government bodies, and environmentalists. Finally, the women successfully drafted a statewide constitution and bylaws, set up five CWA districts throughout the state of California, and elected Cherry Ishimatsu as the first president of the CWA.
