Contributing Authors

Mandy Benson, President of California NOW

Mandy Benson, 36, became the Field Director for California NOW in 2001. After spending more than five years supporting NOW chapters and activists, working in coalition with allies, organizing statewide actions, and planning conferences and activist trainings, Mandy was a natural choice as the President of CA NOW. She has worked on issues including marriage equality, ending discrimination against women at Wal-Mart, and has taken leadership roles in opposing both of California’s recent Parental Notification Initiatives. Her history as a human resources consultant and director for hi-tech and start up companies gives her the experience to work with the diverse and changing memberships of NOW chapters. Mandy has a BA in Behavioral Science and an MA in Humanities/Women's Spirituality.  She lives in Fremont and Sacramento.

Chelsea Del Rio, Vice President Action, California NOW

Chelsea Del Rio, 28, has a bachelor’s degree in history from UC Davis, and has worked as an activist on reproductive justice, marriage equality and women’s safety.  She has worked with Sacramento NOW as Action VP, President, State Board Representative and, currently, as Newsletter Editor.  She has organized grassroots actions, worked on statewide campaigns, and done media interviews and public speaking.  She lives in Sacramento and is pursuing a master’s degree in History at CSU Sacramento.

Helen Grieco, Executive Director of California NOW

Helen Grieco served for four years as California NOW President, and has been in NOW since 1983 in different capacities. She is founder and teacher of the self-defense school, Defending Ourselves; B.R.A.V.E. People; Founder of the Our Media Voice campaign; a community health worker; a San Francisco State University lecturer in women's studies; and an author and producer of videos on women’s issues. She has also worked as a communications consultant, providing media relations and development services to non-profit organizations and businesses.

Rachel Allen, Public Relations Director

Rachel Allen has served as Public Relations Director of CA NOW since 2002, facilitating coverage for CA NOW's issues, events and perspectives in local, state and national print, radio and television media outlets.  She is a co-author of the CA NOW 2002 Family Court Report, and co-editor of the CA NOW e-book Disorder in the Courts.  She also helps organize campaigns, serves on coalitions, and works on media reform efforts. She has a BA in Women Studies and a MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science (with a focus on feminist pedagogy) from San Francisco State University.  She is mother to Grace (9) and Luke (6).