CFA President Honored as a “Changemaker” By the Sacramento Bee

The Sacramento Bee honored 60 locals for their impact on the capital city and the state with its Changemakers Awards ceremony held on October 13, 2026. Margarita Berta-Ávila, CFA president and Sacramento State professor, was among those being celebrated by the paper. 

“I am so proud that Margarita, as the first Chicana CFA president is recognized with the Sacramento Changemakers award for her collective work of organizing for change,” said Michelle Ramos Pellicia, CFA vice president and CSU San Marcos professor. “This recognition is truly uplifting. ¡Felicidades, Margarita!”   

The event took place at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento, and CFA staff and members attended to witness our president being honored. The Sacramento Bee event is sponsored in conjunction with Nehemiah Leaders Program aims to honor a diverse set of leaders in “community organization, education, arts and entertainment, entrepreneurship, law, medicine and healthcare, science, politics, nonprofit leadership and activism.” 

“Margarita is so deserving of this award,” said Vang Vang, CFA treasurer and Fresno State librarian.  “Since becoming active with CFA, she has always been an inspiration for me—a problem solver, quiet leader with compassion but objective-orientated. It’s a privilege for me to be able to work with her and to learn from her.”  

The Sacramento Bee published short biographies on each of the honorees, and you can read Margarita’s here. 

We at CFA appreciate Margarita’s leadership, and we’re happy to see her honored among other changemakers in Sacramento.