History
Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, Inc. (SHNWC) is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005 by visionary women from the Luiseno, Kumeyaay, Cupeno, and Cahuilla Tribal communities in Southern California. Established to expand and enhance services and resources, SHNWC is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of Tribal victims and their children.
Our coalition's aim to raise awareness and drive systemic change began with nine reservations: Pala, Pauma, La Jolla, San Pasqual, Rincon, Mesa Grande, Santa Ysabel, Los Coyotes, and Inja-Cosmit.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Juana Majel-Dixon, who not only authored our inaugural grant proposal for the Office on Violence Against Women Tribal Coalitions Program but also played a pivotal role in mobilizing support for our initiatives under the Violence Against Women Act.
Lorena Majel inspired our name with the powerful phrase “Strong Hearted,” which embodies the resilience and spirit of our mission. Our logo was designed by Roxanne Holmes from the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians.
Founding Mothers of SHNWC
Juana Majel-Dixon, Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians
Charmaine Devers, Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians
Tilda Green, San Pasqual Band of Kumeyaay
Romelle Majel McKauley, Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians
Wendy Schlater, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians
Brandie Taylor, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
Geneva Fitzsimmons, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians
Keely Linton, Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians
Cindy Devers, Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians
Germaine Omish-Lucero, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians
Karen Kolb, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians
Anita Rodriguez, Pala Band of Mission Indians
Letha Dias, Pala Band of Mission Indians
Paulina Lattimer, Pala Band of Mission Indians
Violet Inglett, Pala Band of Mission Indians
Melody Sees, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians
Linda Ruiz, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
SHNWC is recognized under the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 as a Tribal Coalition Program. There are currently 20 tribal coalitions recognized throughout the country.
Click here for more information on other Tribal Coalitions.
Tribal Coalitions are nonprofits, nongovernmental tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions providing education, support, training, and technical assistance to tribes and member citizens to assist in enhancing the response to violent within tribal communities. This includes advancing community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex-trafficking and murdered & missing.
Today, SHNWC delivers vital services to tribes and tribal programs across California, with a particular emphasis on the 34 tribal nations in the southern region of the state.