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ANA VENTURA PHARES WHS’1979 (Interviewed by Ron Sandidge)
ANA VENTURA PHARES WHS’1979 (Interviewed by Ron Sandidge)
Ana Ventura Phares grew up on the Central Coast where her family worked in the agricultural industry in Salinas. Ventura Phares recalls how her father expected all six of his children to go to college.
Ana Ventura Phares grew up on the Central Coast where her family worked in the agricultural industry in Salinas. Ventura Phares recalls how her father expected all six of his children to go to college.
When she wanted to take college-prep English at Watsonville High School, she was told there was no room. When her counselor told her college was not for her, her father’s advice was: "Find another counselor.” She did. She found Mike Sullivan.
When she wanted to take college-prep English at Watsonville High School, she was told there was no room. When her counselor told her college was not for her, her father’s advice was: "Find another counselor.” She did. She found Mike Sullivan.
Mr. Sullivan told her, “You have good grades, you’re going to do good things.” Ana remembered helping him with paperwork in his office.
Mr. Sullivan told her, “You have good grades, you’re going to do good things.” Ana remembered helping him with paperwork in his office.
(She recalls another conversation with Mr. Sullivan when he asked, ‘What about your younger sister, Alicia? Her grades are excellent!’ Ana told him, ‘She wants to become a doctor!’ Mr. Sullivan replied, ‘Let’s talk with her and help her get there!’ And Alicia did become a doctor.)
(She recalls another conversation with Mr. Sullivan when he asked, ‘What about your younger sister, Alicia? Her grades are excellent!’ Ana told him, ‘She wants to become a doctor!’ Mr. Sullivan replied, ‘Let’s talk with her and help her get there!’ And Alicia did become a doctor.)
When Ana graduated high school, and with encouragement from Mr. Sullivan, she entered Santa Clara University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish Language and Literature. She studied from 1983 to 1987 at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego and graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
When Ana graduated high school, and with encouragement from Mr. Sullivan, she entered Santa Clara University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish Language and Literature. She studied from 1983 to 1987 at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego and graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
After graduating from law school Ventura Phares became a directing attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance. She then worked in Santa Cruz County government for 22 years as the Equal Employment Opportunity officer.
After graduating from law school Ventura Phares became a directing attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance. She then worked in Santa Cruz County government for 22 years as the Equal Employment Opportunity officer.
Along the way, Ventura Phares noticed how politics made a difference in the way things get done in the community. Elected officials in the Monterey Bay area encouraged her to get active.
Along the way, Ventura Phares noticed how politics made a difference in the way things get done in the community. Elected officials in the Monterey Bay area encouraged her to get active.
“I saw how providing support and assistance makes residents aware of exercising an equal voice. We worked on this through Action Pájaro Valley whose mission is to create a positive future for the residents of the Pájaro Valley by facilitating an on-going collaborative process for planning, informing and serving as a resource for community decision-making, “ said Ventura Phares.
“I saw how providing support and assistance makes residents aware of exercising an equal voice. We worked on this through Action Pájaro Valley whose mission is to create a positive future for the residents of the Pájaro Valley by facilitating an on-going collaborative process for planning, informing and serving as a resource for community decision-making, “ said Ventura Phares.
Ana recalls a conversation with her mother.
Ana recalls a conversation with her mother.
“When I asked my mom what she thought about me running for office, she said in Spanish, ‘Tu puedes, ¿Por qué no?’ ‘You are able to, why not?’”
“When I asked my mom what she thought about me running for office, she said in Spanish, ‘Tu puedes, ¿Por qué no?’ ‘You are able to, why not?’”
Ventura Phares served as a Watsonville City Council member and then Mayor of Watsonville, the first Latina to hold the post. Ana is the executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey.
Ventura Phares served as a Watsonville City Council member and then Mayor of Watsonville, the first Latina to hold the post. Ana is the executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey.
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