HomeIcons of Influence, 2026 (130th Anniversary)

Icons of Influence: Celebrating Impact and Advancing Our Mission

When Utah became a state on January 4, 1896, the efforts of many pioneering women—who would soon help form what became the Women’s Democratic Club—ensured that Utah’s Constitution included a powerful statement of political equality. Article IV affirmed that the right to vote and hold office “shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex,” guaranteeing equal civil, political, and religious rights for all citizens.

Just months after statehood, a group of 18 of these courageous women organized what would become the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah. Its early purpose was clear: support the Democratic Party, advance legislation important to women, and ensure women had a meaningful role in the political process.

The Club’s first president, Dr. Ellen Ferguson, went on to make history as an alternate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago—becoming the only woman in attendance to hold a seat at the time.

Today, more than 130 years later, the Women’s Democratic Club remains strong, with over 500 active members carrying forward the same mission:

Encouraging women to seek public office
Supporting Democratic candidates for elected office
Providing a forum for thoughtful, vigorous discussion of key issues
Advocating for balanced, open, and accountable government
Working for equal rights and equal protection under the law

Our Icons of Influence event celebrated women who are trailblazers—shattering glass ceilings, shaping Utah’s future, breaking barriers, and creating lasting impact in public policy and public life. Below you can see all 12 women we celebrated and a very brief bio of each.

And because we always celebrate with purpose, the event also served as a fundraiser to help usher in the next generation of trailblazers and strengthen our ability to support Democratic candidates across Utah. With Democrats competing in 95% of races statewide in 2026, the resources raised will directly support current and future campaigns and candidates.

Congress Woman Karen Shepherd

Karen Shepherd was born in New Mexico and raised in Utah, eventually settling in Provo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in British Literature from BYU, later teaching freshman English at BYU and living abroad in Cairo, Egypt.

She became politically active through Democratic campaigns and later served as Director of Social Services in Salt Lake County, becoming the first woman to serve at a cabinet level in county government.

In 1990, Shepherd was elected to the Utah State Senate, serving two years before running for the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1992, she won a historic election against Republican Enid Greene, marking the first time two women faced each other in a Utah general election for Congress.

She served one term in Congress and was only the second woman ever elected to the U.S. House from Utah. After her defeat in 1994, she continued her public service as a fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy Institute of Politics and as a lecturer and advisory board member at the University of Utah.

Shepherd has also served on multiple civic and nonprofit boards focused on health care, public policy, and community advocacy, and remains active in statewide reform and redistricting efforts.

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Representative Angela Romero

Angela Romero represents House District 25 in the Utah State Legislature and currently serves as Minority Leader, where she led Utah’s first all-female House leadership team. An enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, she is the first Native American to serve in the Utah Legislature.

Throughout her career, Romero has focused on protecting women and children while advancing policies addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and victims’ rights.

One of her most impactful achievements was securing a statewide requirement to test all sexual assault kits in Utah, along with ongoing funding to ensure implementation.

She also secured $300,000 in ongoing funding for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, strengthening statewide survivor support services and the Sexual Assault Helpline.

Outside the Legislature, Romero serves as a Senior Community Programs Manager overseeing the YouthCity Government Program, helping young people engage in civic life and public service.

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Sherrie Swensen, Former SL County Clerk

Sherrie Swensen dedicated more than three decades to public service as Salt Lake County Clerk, serving for 32 years and earning reelection eight times before retiring in 2023, making her the longest-serving female elected official in Utah’s history.

Throughout her career, she became a leading advocate for accessible, secure, and inclusive democracy, helping modernize election systems and expand vote-by-mail access across Utah.

Swensen championed vote-by-mail systems that expanded participation for seniors, people with disabilities, and busy voters, helping make Utah a national model for election accessibility and efficiency. She also worked to strengthen voter privacy protections and modernize election administration.

She played a key role in advancing reforms to Utah’s marriage laws, including protections for minors, and contributed to broader statutory updates requiring judicial oversight in underage marriage cases.

In 2013, her office was central to Utah’s historic implementation of same-sex marriage rights following a federal court ruling. Salt Lake County immediately began issuing licenses, with her staff working continuously to serve couples during that period.

Over her career, Swensen became known as a trusted public administrator committed to accessibility, equality, privacy, and strong public service.

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Sheriff Rosie Rivera

Sheriff Rosie Rivera was born and raised in Utah and became a young mother at age fourteen, working in onion fields as a migrant worker while pursuing her goal of becoming a police officer. She is the mother of three adult children and grandmother of ten.

She was sworn in as Salt Lake County Sheriff in 2017, becoming the first elected female sheriff in Utah history. She began her law enforcement career in 1993 and rose through the ranks from deputy sheriff to detective, lieutenant, Deputy Chief, and ultimately Sheriff.

Sheriff Rivera oversees more than 1,100 employees and manages the largest jail and court security divisions in Utah. Her leadership focuses on transparency, accountability, and public safety reform.

She has championed alternatives to incarceration, including substance use treatment programs, mental health services, housing support, and expanded pretrial release initiatives. She has also prioritized diversity within law enforcement and implemented medically assisted treatment programs in the jail system.

Rivera serves on multiple public safety and criminal justice boards and committees, including the Salt Lake County Opioid Task Force and the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, and is Chair of the Nomination Committee for the Major County Sheriffs of America.

Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Rosa Parks Award, the YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Service, and the Utah Sheriff’s Association Lawman of the Year Award.

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Representative Carol Spackman Moss

Representative Carol Spackman Moss serves House District 34, representing most of Holladay and portions of Millcreek and Murray. First elected in 2000, she recently completed her 26th General Session in the Utah House of Representatives, making her the longest serving woman legislator in Utah history.

A graduate of the University of Utah with degrees in English and Education Administration, Rep. Moss has championed legislation expanding access to driver’s licenses for refugees, improving mental health treatment in county jails, increasing access to Naloxone, and implementing Good Samaritan laws that have saved thousands of lives across Utah.

Throughout her legislative career, Moss has also secured funding for the International Baccalaureate program for high school students, passed anti-bullying and anti-hazing legislation, and supported health curriculum focused on preventing sexual and emotional violence.

Before serving in the Legislature, Carol taught English and Student Government at Olympus High School for 33 years. She currently serves on the Utah Opioid Task Force and the Holladay Arts Council and has served for many years on Democratic House leadership teams.

Moss credits much of her success to the support of her family, including her three daughters, sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and her late husband Bob Moss, who supported her throughout both her teaching and public service careers.

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State Senator Jani Iwamoto

Jani Iwamoto was elected to the Utah State Senate in 2014, where she served in leadership as Assistant Minority Whip. She previously served on the Salt Lake County Council, becoming the first Asian American woman elected to office in Utah.

She holds a B.A. in Mass Communication, magna cum laude, from the University of Utah and a J.D. from UC Davis School of Law, and previously worked as a partner at a prominent California law firm. Her public service has focused on criminal and social justice, campus safety, and environmental issues including water quality and conservation.

Throughout her career, Iwamoto has received numerous honors including the Eleanor Roosevelt Award, Rosa Parks Award, and Lifetime Achievement recognitions from multiple Utah and Asian American organizations. She has also been recognized internationally, including the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Commendation and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

She currently serves on several boards and advisory committees, including the Utah Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the Lauren McCluskey Foundation Advisory Committee, and the National Veterans Network. In 2024, she was appointed Honorary Consul of Japan in Salt Lake City, the first person in Utah to hold that position.

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State Senator Karen Kwan

Senator Karen Kwan, representing District 12, is a dedicated public servant with a profound commitment to her constituents and the state of Utah. With a strong background in psychology and education, she has spent her life empowering individuals and fostering inclusivity. As the daughter of an immigrant and a descendant of Chinese Transcontinental Railroad workers, her heritage deeply shapes her commitment to education, community, and unity.

A long-time resident of Taylorsville and Professor Emeritus at Salt Lake Community College, Senator Kwan became the first Chinese American to serve in the Utah Legislature. She has served in both the House and Senate, consistently advocating for progress, equity, and meaningful community engagement across Utah.

Senator Kwan holds degrees in psychology and educational leadership, including a doctorate from the University of Utah. Her academic and professional career includes decades of teaching at Salt Lake Community College, where she was recognized as Distinguished Faculty Lecturer in 2014.

Her public service includes leadership roles in organizations such as the Asian Association of Utah, the Governor’s Asian-American Council, and OCA-Utah. She also serves as President of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association, honoring her family’s legacy.

In the Legislature, she focuses on education, senior care, language access, small business support, and equity-driven policy. She is committed to expanding opportunity and ensuring diverse voices are represented in Utah’s future.

Outside of her work, she is supported by her husband Travis, their three daughters, two sons-in-law, and her granddaughter.

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Representative Hoang Nguyen

Hoang Nguyen is the Managing Partner of Sapa Investment Group and serves in the Utah House of Representatives. With roots in a family of female entrepreneurs, she brings a legacy of resilience, grit, and people-first leadership. For over a decade, she has focused on building inclusive, people-centered cultures that empower individuals to reach their personal and professional potential.

Nguyen came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam and was raised on the west side of Salt Lake City. She attended the University of Utah and earned her MBA, later serving on a higher education board and consulting with CEOs on organizational growth and strategy.

In 2012, she returned to help lead her family business, which has since grown to over 500 employees across five divisions. She credits her work with building strong teams and supporting individuals as they grow professionally and personally.

As Managing Partner of Sapa Investment Group, Nguyen is committed to building inclusive, opportunity-driven communities through job creation, entrepreneurship support, and access to capital. Her work focuses on long-term community investment and economic development.

In 2024, she became the first refugee and first Vietnamese American elected to the Utah State Legislature. In office, her priorities include economic development, environmental stewardship, and equity in public education.

She serves on numerous boards, including the Midtown Business District Board, Utah Cannabis Association (Vice Chair), Visit Salt Lake Board, PBS Advisory Board, Airport Advisory Board, and several civic and economic development organizations.

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Representative Sandra Hollins

Sandra Hollins was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has proudly called Salt Lake City home for the past 37 years. She has been married to her husband David for 35 years, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. Her career has centered on supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorder and advocating for Utah’s homeless community.

In 2015, Hollins made history as the first Black American woman elected to the Utah State Legislature. She has since represented District 21 in the Utah House, advancing legislation focused on criminal justice reform, education equity, and civil rights protections.

Her legislative accomplishments include banning the “knee on the neck” restraint, expanding opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, implementing ethnic studies in public schools, removing slavery language from the Utah Constitution, and establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday.

She has held leadership roles including Assistant Minority Whip and has served on multiple appropriations, rules, health, and criminal justice committees. She has also served on numerous community boards focused on equity, family support, and public service.

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Representative Verona Mauga

Verona Mauga serves as Utah State Representative for District 31, representing Taylorsville and West Valley City. She made history as the first Samoan elected to the Utah Legislature and the first Samoan woman to serve in any state legislature in the continental United States.

In her first term, she has sponsored legislation focused on strengthening victims’ rights, improving public safety, and protecting vulnerable communities, including HB34 and HB87 (“Biscuit’s Bill”) to enhance protections for abused and neglected animals.

Beyond the Legislature, Mauga is a small business owner and co-owner of Sagato Bakery & Cafe, a family business rooted in community. She also co-owns My Choice Utah, where she supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in safe, supportive home environments.

Her professional and volunteer work has consistently centered on strengthening communities and supporting the people within them through both economic opportunity and direct service.

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Salt Lake County Treasurer Sheila Srivastava

Sheila Srivastava is a trailblazing leader and the first woman elected Salt Lake County Treasurer. Raised in rural Utah by a single mother, she became a first-generation college graduate and Certified Public Accountant, shaping her commitment to economic empowerment and public service.

She has dedicated her career to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community engagement, while actively volunteering with organizations such as the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah, Girl Scouts of Utah, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Srivastava is a strong advocate for increasing women’s representation in finance and STEM fields, often emphasizing that women belong in leadership roles across all sectors of government and industry.

As Treasurer, she uses her expertise to strengthen government transparency and equity, serving as a role model for girls and women aspiring to leadership in their communities.

In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, hiking, and recently began learning to play the cello.

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Karrie Galloway, CEO & President PPAU

Karrie Galloway served as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah for more than 35 years, retiring in 2023. During her tenure, she oversaw the expansion of sexual and reproductive health care and education services for generations of Utahns across the state.

She was known for her steady and optimistic leadership style, guiding the organization through significant political and legal challenges to reproductive health care access in Utah.

Galloway began her career with Planned Parenthood in 1981 as a community educator and later became a long-serving executive leader. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin.

Throughout her leadership, she guided the organization through major legal and political shifts, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and multiple state-level legal challenges impacting reproductive freedom in Utah.

She is a proud mother and grandmother and resides in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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