Fremont's 6th District: Irvington Area
Meet Teresa
Teresa is experienced and ready for the job
The daughter of school teachers, orphaned at a young age. Teresa overcame life’s obstacles and broke down numerous barriers to dedicate her life to improving the community around her.
Teresa became the first African-American woman in the United States to earn a degree in Nuclear Engineering when she graduated from Northwestern University. Soon after, she completed her MBA Degree from the University of Rochester’s Simon Graduate School of Business Administration.
Teresa worked at the White House under the Clinton Administration. In her time at the White House, Teresa coordinated events that strengthened community relations with constituent groups including legislative affairs, facilitated public policy briefings for Presidential business forums, and organized Presidential delegations and appointments.
Currently, Teresa is dedicated to improving small business relations, furthering business opportunities, and creating jobs in our community. Teresa served in the Obama Administration on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industry Trade Advisory Council. Teresa currently serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s California District Export Council on Small and Minority Women-Owned Businesses.
She also led a Trade Mission to China in her duties as City of Fremont’s Economic Development Advisory Commission. She received the City of Fremont Appreciation Award for her 8 years serving on this commission. Teresa helped to promote and support current businesses in the City and Pacific Commons, AutoMall, Think Fremont, and Innovation Districts.
Professionally, Teresa has worked for several Fortune 500 hi-tech companies in Silicon Valley including Lam Research, Facebook, 24-Hour Fitness, and Western Digital. Teresa currently manages the procurement and contract activities at the county government.
I want to build a better community for Fremont today!
Teresa with her two kids, David and Jacqueline
Teresa's graduation with mom and twin brother.
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in touch
Teresa, City of Fremont Economic Development Advisory Commission (former Chair) lead trade mission to China.
(Served 8 years)
Teresa has been elected three times, serving 12 years as a
Trustee for the Ohlone Community College Board and
current Vice-Chair, where her efforts have led Ohlone College to improve every year from accrediation warning in 2008
and earn Top 5 rank for the highest transfer rates to 4-year
universities among the 114 California Community Colleges.
In her time as a Trustee, she’s also fought for women’s
rights for equal pay, advancement of women and minorities in leadership roles, passage of a $349 million dollar bond
measure for creating classrooms to train students on
cutting edge technology to prepare them for jobs & future, and increase green technology on the Ohlone Campuses.
In January 2020, three (3) Academic Core Buildings
will open for the Spring Semester.
While serving 12 years as Ohlone College Trustee, Teresa has supported and lead initiatives to celebrate the cultural diversity in our community including: African American Heritage Month, Indian Republic Day, Afghan American Heritage Day, and LGBTQ+ Day as well as Hispanic, Cesar Chavez, Native American, and Asian Pacific Heritage Months.
She has worked with many organizations and has received numerous community awards and recognition to name a few: Alameda County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Northwestern University, US China Trade & Investment; California Black Legislative Caucus, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, California State University - East Bay, United Nations Association, San Jose State University, Northern California Cricket Association, Martin Luther King Commission on Bridging Gaps in the Community, Jack & Jill of America, Sikh Community, Federation of Indo-Americans, International Punjabi Pageant, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Women in Logistics, International Women's Platform, and Society of Women Engineers.
Teresa presenting Ohlone College Promise Scholarships to Outstanding high school students at Fremont's Kennedy and Irvington high schools.
Teresa is honored to present the Ohlone College
Valedictorian for the last several years. She is deeply honored to present the Ohlone College Promise Scholarships to outstanding high school students at Kennedy and Irvington High Schools
Teresa's mother,
President of her local teachers' union.
Teresa comes from a history where women in her family lead the community to fight for good causes. Her mother, Jackie was President of her local teachers union who striked for 3 months for better wages and benefits. Her mother and her labor group won this fight. Teresa's father died when she was nine years old. Her mother had to raise 3 children on a school teacher's salary. Teresa's mother died while she was in college.
Teresa’s great grandmother, Sarah Dudley Pettey was a well known woman suffrage leader who fought for women’s rights. AME Zion Bishop Charles Calvin Pettey and Sarah Dudley Pettey, her great grandparents founded a town and settled in a San Francisco community to establish churches and create vibrant diverse communities. Bishop Pettey would preach first at Stockton Street church then Sarah Dudley Pettey deliver a speech on woman's rights, either "Woman the Equal of Man" or "Woman's Suffrage."One of my great grandmother’s famous quote is “What position is there," she asked, "that a woman cannot fill?" Sarah Dudley Pettey founded the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in 1896. She would state all people are colored "from the fairest blonde to the darkest color of humanity."Her grandparents raised the monies for Tuskegee University to help founder, Booker T. Washington. Sarah Dudley Pettey was devoted to the causes of gender and racial equality, voting rights, female political activism, and women's participation in the public.
Teresa's aunt, Effie Lee Morris was the San Francisco Librarian She was an advocate, scholar, author, and leader in her beloved city of San Francisco and around the world. During her distinguished career of over 40 years in urban libraries, Effie Lee worked on behalf of children and youth at the local, state, and national levels and has been nationally recognized. She was a spirited advocate in the accessibility of libraries for all patrons regardless of age, disability, or language. San Francisco Public Library houses a Historical Research Collection of Children's Literature named for her, and sponsors the Effie Lee Morris Memorial Lecture in her honor since 1996. Effie Lee founded the San Francisco Chapter of the Women's National Book Association, and in 1971, Morris became the first African American president of the Public Library Association. Effie Lee Morris was one of the founders of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. In her lifetime, Ms. Morris received numerous awards and honors including former San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein proclaiming June 12, 1984 as “Effie Lee Morris Day”. The Western Addition Branch of the San Francisco Public Library was named in her honor.
Teresa is the proud mother of two children where her son graduated from Irvington High School. Her son, David was a Student Government Treasurer and member of the Irvington Boys Volleyball Team who won the Mission Valley League and Northern California Regional Boys Volleyball Championships. Team went to state championship first time ever. Her daughter, Jackie was promoted at Horner Junior High School, as an awarding winning science and scholar student, and plays basketball at the national AAU girls basketball level. Teresa has been active with the Irvington and Horner Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) to work with parents, students, and educators on local school issues.
Teresa's Aunt, Effie Lee Morris was the San Francisco Librarian and advocate for accessibility of libraries for all patrons.
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Today, Teresa is running to represent the people of Fremont as Fremont City Council District 6.
Teresa's great grandparents who helped founded a town near San Francisco. Sarah Dudley Pettey fought for women's rights.
Teresa was Irvington High School Team Mom for 2018 Boys’ Volleyball Team that won history-making NCS regional championship.
Teresa as a Community Builder
Pictures do not represent endorsements of any nature but show Teresa’s involvement in the community.
