About Us
Building a stronger democratic voice in the Ojai Valley
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY!
The Ventura County Democratic Party recently chartered a new Club representing the Ojai Valley. The mission of this club is to support and elect Democratic candidates and promote Democratic Party Principles.
Facing ever-more authoritarian threats from the president and an accommodating congress, it is increasingly urgent that we unite to resist the assault on our democracy. Actions in Washington directly affect our lives in the Ojai Valley. We are facing many assaults; from immigration raids that are taking long-term residents and neighbors away, to elimination of energy programs that address the climate crisis, to threats of exploitation and habitat loss in the national forest surrounding our valley, to attacks on our social programs including Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and food assistance programs.
We are up for the fight!
Introducing the Elected Officers of The United Democrats of the Ojai Valley (UDOV)
Club President: Maria Elena Ramirez
Maria Elena Ramirez is a seventh generation Californian, raised in the San Gabriel Valley where in 1960 Maria, along with her sister Carmen, found a JFK Presidential campaign office in a strip mall near their home. They were inspired to think of themselves as part of a country in which public service was a noble calling. Carmen went on to be distinguished lawyer, public servant and ultimately Ventura County Supervisor. Maria worked for over 40 years across a range of education levels and eventually as a professor of Education, English Reading, Writing and Critical Literacy. Maria now works to keep her sister's legacy alive through her work as president of the United Democrats of the Ojai Valley.
Club Treasurer: Darlene Killgore
Darlene Killgore moved to the Ojai Valley in 1993. While teaching middle school science for Oxnard Elementary, she was asked to volunteer as a building rep for her teacher's union. The "ask", was to attend only one meeting a month. That beginning of saying yes, turned into a leadership role with the local teacher's union, a seat on State Council of Education for the California Teachers Association and a delegate seat with National Education Association. During the CTA state wide campaign to pass Prop 30/32, legislation to fund education, she partnered with the local Ojai democrats to advocate for passing the legislation. It was then she was asked to fill in as a voting proxy for the Democratic State Convention. Since then, she has been a delegate with democratic party both locally and with the state party. Now retired from teaching, her time is spent helping after school with her grandkids and volunteering with the party. What is most important to her is to leave her kids and grandkids a world where they can live safely, with the human rights and freedom we all deserve.
Club Secretary: Sarah Alderson
Born in London and with Irish, British and American citizenship, Sarah and her family have been resident in Ojai for the last decade. Sarah is an author and screenwriter who began her progressive political activism at a very young age, after listening to her Irish grandmother rant about Margaret Thatcher and the Poll Tax. Since moving to the US around the same time Trump came down that escalator, she has been avidly protesting the erosion of democracy and campaigning for democratic candidates. Strongly anti-monarchist she feels especially passionate about the No Kings protests! Her political priorities are defending reproductive rights, civil rights and the environment.
Vice President: Sarah Carter
Sarah is a public health research scientist who has worked to improve maternal and child health outcomes for over 15 years. She was raised in Ventura County by parents invested in civic engagement and volunteerism and is the product of local public schools. While earning a PhD in England, she had a baby on the NHS, the UK's publicly funded universal healthcare system. This cost her £15 total, because she bought ultrasound photos. (Taxpayer funds should benefit the people who pay them, not the people who avoid them!) Sarah knows through personal experience and professional expertise that the wellbeing of moms and babies is best served by well funded public schools, fact based public health services, and equitable access to health care.
Vice President: Anita Cramm
Anita enjoyed an illustrious career in prominent zoos across the country. Her work spanned many years as an animal keeper, followed by curatorial positions focused on daily collection management, along with local, national and international conservation work. Her rich zoo background took her to South America where she had a rare opportunity to engage with traditional healers in the high Peruvian Andes, thus opening a bridge between science and nature-base healing traditions. She immersed herself in the natural healing arts and her journey took flight.
Her winding path led her to Ojai over 20 years ago, called by the mountains and our unique community blend of nature, spirituality and art. Passionate dedication to preserving the local landscape and those who call it home are among her top priorities.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply stay informed about local issues, there's a place for you in the United Democrats of Ojai Valley.