The Historical Women of Breathe California Sacramento Region (SacBreathe)

Women conducting Tuberculosis testing

Women have always been at the forefront of SacBreathe. Founded by Estella Edson, a nurse working to end the tuberculosis epidemic, SacBreathe started out as the Sacramento Society for the Prevention and Cure of Tuberculosis in 1917. Today, women at SacBreathe have been leading the way for clean air and healthy lungs in the evolving landscape of respiratory challenges faced in the organization’s lifetime. This Women’s History Month, we’d like to take the opportunity to highlight noteworthy women leading the organization this decade.

Mia Lopez joined the SacBreathe board in 2020, “and what a time it was! Witnessing the adaptability and resilience of our staff and leadership has been inspiring.” She is most proud of the growth of the Breathe Bike Festival, now in its 5th year, along with efforts in organizing the inaugural Breathe Together event in 2025. "These initiatives foster a sense of community and celebrate our commitment to clean air, making a real impact on the health of our region” Lopez explains.

Mia Lopez, Board Member/Past-President

Joining SacBreathe in 2003, CEO Jennifer Finton is proud to be counted among a long line of women to have led this impactful organization. She has seen the growth and flexibility of the organization and witnessed leadership in action. Past Board President and Member, Sue Schooley, served on the board for almost 20 years. Her highlights with the organization include raising close to $100,000 for clean air and healthy lungs through her active participation in the Breathe Bike Trek, a 36 year tradition for the organization; serving on the board for 14 years, holding just about every board position; working closely with the SacBreathe staff, and chairing many of the youth programs SacBreathe has to offer the community, including the Hackademy Awards and a re-imagined bike event for children. With continued leadership, these programs have now evolved into our 12th annual Breathe Youth Fest and 5th annual Breathe Bike Festival.

These accomplishments are inspiring and these women have done so much for SacBreathe over the past decade. But being a woman in leadership can come with challenges, like needing to push through your comfort zone. For Lopez, that looked like “the racing heartbeat of self-doubt…but I’ve learned that each time I experience the discomfort of growth, I gain experience and knowledge that I didn’t have before.” For Finton, getting out of her comfort zone involved public speaking, “Part of my job was to testify in support or opposition of policies at public meetings. These were often in front of crowded auditoriums and televised!” Sometimes the biggest challenge is knowing when to walk away from the important work SacBreathe is doing. Schooley had a hard time saying no, “because I want to do everything and you can’t do a great job at everything and need to rely on fellow board members to step in and share the hard work.” After 14 years, “it was time to let the younger generation with fresh new ideas take the lead. I love SacBreathe and the mission.”

Jennifer Finton, CEO

For the next generation of women, both Finton and Schooley advises them to follow their passion, “Without an internal drive you are just making a paycheck. Nonprofit work can be so satisfying. While no one gets rich in this line of work, at the end of the day, you can know that you made a difference, learned something new or met an interesting person,” says Finton. Schooley says that once you find what you’re passionate about, “Jump in and participate and make your community a better place for yourself, loved ones and future generations. You don’t need to do all the work yourself, but on the other hand you shouldn’t sit back and expect others to do the work.” Lopez advises women to, “never stop learning. Look for and embrace opportunities to learn from those around you, ask questions and stay curious. Seek out mentors and connect with others over coffee or during casual moments. I’ve found that car rides with colleagues often lead to the best conversations, revealing stories and insights that can spark new ideas.”

When these women first started out, they all agree they wish they had some advice given to them as well: to keep learning and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Challenging yourself, whether you end up failing or not, is where your growth develops! Lopez says, “I've come to appreciate that consistency and gradual growth helps lay a solid foundation. Today, I celebrate each small success and enjoy the journey as much as the outcome.” Finton reflects on the discomfort that often comes with trying something new, “It can feel painful and scary to do something unfamiliar. But with practice, constructive feedback and a supportive peer group, these things get easier over time.” Schooley adds, “That it’s OK to try something new (and maybe fail) and to listen and take the advice of those who came before you.”

Sue Schooley, Past Board Member

We are proud of the work that the women in our organization have been doing for the past 108 years. We will keep building on this legacy and hope to leave the Sacramento Region and beyond a better place to live and breathe. We vow to continue to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

In the words of our founder, Estella Edson, R.N., “The health of the individual, no matter in what walk of life, is of vital importance…It is the one big health idea our Association is endeavoring to carry out in every possible way.”

Estella Edson, R.N. and Founder of Breathe California Sacramento Region

Author: Nicole Grady