Justice For All Ventura County (JFAVC) recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a gathering in Camarillo honoring community leaders, activists and student advocates.
Board President Shane Meserve reflected on the organization’s first Women’s March and Rally in Ventura in January 2017, which aligned with similar events held nationwide. The annual march and rally has since become a signature event for the group, drawing participants and partner organizations from across Ventura County.
Meserve said the organization has expanded its community outreach in recent years through collaborations with groups including Planned Parenthood California Central Coast Action Fund, Indivisible Ventura, 50501 Ventura County, the League of Women Voters, Buen Vecino, Ventura County Women’s Forum Collaborative, Ventura County Community Foundation and the Diversity Collective.
The celebration included recognition awards for two honorees.
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, who has represented portions of Ventura County since 2013 in Congress and previously served in the California Assembly, was recognized for her work on women’s rights, public education, veterans’ issues, transportation infrastructure and environmental policy.
Adriene Coulter of Indivisible Ventura and Swap Meet Justice received JFAVC’s inaugural Champion of Democracy Award for community leadership and activism.
The event also featured recognition of winners of the 2026 Young Activists Essay Contest, which drew submissions from students across Ventura County.
First-place winner Penny (Peirong) Lee of Adolfo Camarillo High School received $1,500 for an essay describing her efforts to establish a medical track program at her school. Crystal Salazar Garcia of Ventura High School placed second and received $1,000 for her work with Ventura Unified’s Antibias and Antiracist program. Lily Bowden of Thousand Oaks High School placed third and received $750 for creating an inclusive Christian club on campus. Anna Bronk of Westlake High School received $250 and honorable mention for her essay on environmental advocacy efforts at her school.
“Social change does not happen by accident. It happens because people are willing to recognize injustice, speak out, and commit themselves to making things better collectively and individually,” Meserve said.
The organization said its mission is to motivate, educate, connect and mobilize people to engage in government and civic life in support of social justice. https://justiceforallvc.org.
