Jackie Elward is a Rohnert Park Councilwoman, educator, and labor organizer who immigrated to America for a better life and wound up making her community better.
Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she met her husband in 2000 while studying theology in Kinshasa. A few years later, they came to the United States to start a family.
Jackie rose to the challenges of adapting to a new culture by volunteering and starting a new community for herself. Whether it was at church, supporting a local organization, or simply participating in community activities; finding a way to give back paved the way for Jackie to get started in politics.
She also founded Les Enfants Baobab in 2015, a non-profit that supports children in Kinshasa providing them with a home, clothing, and schooling.
Jackie became the first Black woman elected to the Rohnert Park Council in 2020 by defeating a six-term incumbent. During her tenure on the Council and as Mayor, Jackie focused on advocating for affordable housing, helping the unhoused, and making public investments in transportation, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy.
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Jackie also concentrated on regional issues by serving on the Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association of Sonoma County, Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority, and Sonoma Clean Power.