The Coachella Valley is a veritable powerhouse for agriculture, which is the second largest economic driver of the local economy. California Women for Agriculture (CWA) – founded in 1975 – is the largest all-volunteer, women-led agriculture organization in the state. When CWA was founded, women did not have much agency, economic power, or political power, and few women held leadership roles.
California Women for Agriculture celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Coachella Valley from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9. Members from across California gathered in La Quinta and Indio for various events. The anniversary weekend was designed to celebrate the organization’s impact and highlight the interconnectedness between transportation, food service, and tourism.
Women were not able to obtain credit cards in their name in the United States until 1974. A year later, many women found their voices and harnessed their spheres of influence amidst the turmoil and liberation of the 1960s and early ’70s. A dynamic group of Coachella Valley women stepped into the spotlight in 1975 during a particularly challenging time for local farms. As harvest time approached and tensions grew, these brave women – many without farming experience – volunteered in the fields and supported growers and workers. They spoke to the general public about the importance of protecting the nation’s food supply.
The grassroots efforts were infectious and inspirational. More than 200 women gathered in Palm Springs in 1975 and established CWA chapters across the state. The founding members – Cherry Ishimatsu, Corky Larson, Jeri Taylor, and Beverly Sfingi – were all based in the Coachella Valley. They helped propel women to the forefront of the movement.
Ishimatsu was also the first state president of CWA. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2025 and reflected on the milestone. “At age 100, I have done many things in my life, but nothing more meaningful than helping CWA thrive for the greater good of all Californians,” she said at the time.
As a teenager, Ishimatsu was interned in Jerome, Arkansas, during World War II with her family. After she was married, she and her husband moved to Indio in 1949. They raised a family there and farmed in Mecca. Ishimatsu was dedicated to public service. She worked for the Coachella Valley Unified School District for many years. In addition to serving as a founding member of CWA, she was appointed to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board by Governor George Deukmejian.
Ishimatsu died in November after a long and prosperous life. Ellen Way, from La Quinta, is the current co-president of the Coachella Valley Chapter of CWA and a past state president. “I felt Cherry’s spirit throughout CWA’s 50th anniversary celebration,” Way says. “She held on to be with us and passed on Nov. 15 at the age of 100 and 8 months. What an incredible life she lived.”
Ishimatsu co-founded the Japanese Garden in Indio in 1986. She also started the Candy Striper hospital volunteer and scholarship program in Indio. She was a beloved leader and public servant.
Events for CWA ’s 50th anniversary included a welcome party at Shields Date Garden in Indio, a local farm tour, a golden anniversary celebration dinner, and group discussions on the future of CWA programming and advocacy.
"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness,” Thomas Jefferson said. CWA embodies that spirit, advancing the voice of agriculture through education, advocacy, and leadership development.
