Celebrating Women’s History Month Toro Style. Art by Licia Summerhill.

By LICIA SUMMERHILL Staff Reporter

Women have taken the world by storm and as CSUDH celebrates Women’s History Month, here are a few remarkable women alumni who have impacted their communities. While each alum is unique and remarkable in their own way, each woman has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the advancement of women’s rights and equality.

Dr. Lois Lee (master’s degree in sociology, Class of 1977) is a humanitarian, lawyer and founder of Children of the Night, a comprehensive program for sex trafficking that rescues, houses and educates victims, maintaining a 70-80% success rate. 

After Lee graduated, she quickly began working to change the world. When Lee was a student, Jeanne Curran, an emeritus professor of sociology, introduced her to the underworld of sex trafficking, awakening a call to action that is now Lee’s most influential work. Lee began rescuing children from prostitution and homelessness by allowing the children to take refuge in her own apartment. Lee has since rescued over 12,000 children from prostitution and has been honored nationally with several prestigious awards including the President’s Volunteer Action Award presented by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Even today, Lee continues to be a voice for children who have been violated and abused in sex trafficking rings across North America. 

Jacqueline Seabrooks (bachelor’s degree in public administration, Class of 1988) was the first woman to be promoted to police sergeant, lieutenant and captain for the city of Santa Monica. Seabrooks was also the first woman to hold the top executive position for the city of Inglewood police department. 

Seabrooks has been honored as the most influential African-American for her extraordinary leadership. She was awarded the outstanding woman leader award by Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women and featured as one of Los Angeles’ 100 most influential African-Americans by Wave Publications. Seabrooks continues to impact women and leadership roles as a senior consultant with Mosaic Public Partners which identifies, selects, and places leaders seeking employment in the government sector. Mosaic Public Partners has assisted in the selection of 98 public agencies seeking employees.

Rene Anderson (bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, Class of 2003) is an accomplished author, mother, evangelist and parenting coach dedicated to her community. 

Anderson graduated in 2003 and credits CSUDH’s PACE program with her success in allowing her to balance parenting as a single mom while going back to school. Anderson is the current director of human resources and risk management for the city of Pomona. She was a featured speaker for the 2022 Women’s Conference and also appears in Evolve magazine, a publication for business and professional women. Anderson holds a weekly bible study at her local church for women which often extends to outreach and personal mentoring/counseling when needed. Anderson’s book, “They Come With Instructions,” has practical tips and tools to aid parents in developing discipline, character, and accountability in children through adulthood.

Susana Chavez (multiple subject teaching credentials, Class of 2012) is a teacher who has impacted her community by involving children and parents in the education process. Chavez was honored as Lynwood’s Teacher of the Year because of her dedication and connection to her students. As a speaker at the 2016 Better Together California Teachers Summit held at CSUDH, she spoke to hundreds of educators on her strategy of involving parents by writing a note of encouragement to their children during state testing.