- Author: Yana Valachovic
With tremendous sadness, we mark the passing and remember the impact of our friend, colleague and mentor, Dorina Espinoza, who passed away Oct. 10 after a brief illness.
One of her University of California colleagues, Irene Padasas, said it best, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced Dorina's radiating humility and kindness, but most of all, I am thankful for her patience and mentorship that changed me forever.”
In 2012, Espinoza joined the University of California Cooperative Extension in Humboldt and Del Norte counties to develop a novel position under the title of youth, families and communities advisor. This position sought to integrate and blend programming in community health and education. In this role, she supported three critical programs: 4-H Youth Development, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, and UC Master Food Preservers. These roles naturally suited her and her love of youth education, community health and community empowerment.
In 2020, when COVID-19 disrupted 4-H activities, Anne Iaccopucci, California 4-H Healthy Living coordinator; and Marcel Horowitz, UCCE healthy youth, families and communities advisor in Yolo County; and Espinoza adapted the CDC/4-H Junior Disease Detective: Operation Outbreak project for remote instruction.
In one of her autobiographical sketches, Espinoza stated, “I am continually learning from my community members and I am passionate about working with communities to make healthy changes that improve lives, create equitable and just communities that support and value difference, and help decision-makers support practices and policies that ensure healthy communities for all to thrive.”
She earned her master's degree and Ph.D. from Michigan State University in kinesiology and exercise science. She served the North Coast for over two decades, working for Humboldt County's Health and Human Services Department as a health education specialist for 5 years, lecturing at Humboldt State University in Kinesiology for 6 years, and working for UC Cooperative Extension for 11 years.
Espinoza was a bright light and a vibrant voice in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and through her work in California. Professionally, she was not only a joy to work with, but she inspired us all.
Espinoza built meaningful and successful partnerships with community-based organizations and tribes. She inspired us with her practice of deep cultural humility and respectful solidarity with the communities that she served and by the way she exemplified equity-driven and inclusive approaches in her work and valuing the lived experiences of individuals. She was gifted with the ability to find the best in everyone.
Espinoza was passionate about addressing food insecurity, supporting emergency preparedness, strengthening local agriculture and regional food systems, and engaging with community volunteers. With both 4-H and the Master Food Preserver programs, she found the balance between sharing science-based information with others and respecting their own wealth of knowledge and experience. She understood the importance of power lying within people in their communities and gently encouraged both staff and volunteers to develop more skills to understand bias and equity.
She set an important example for others on how to undertake research, extension activities, and community projects with an inspirational vision that will long outlive her individual impact. She was also a leader in helping Cooperative Extension colleagues and the 4-H program in intercultural development and diversity, equity and inclusion training. Espinoza and her 4-H colleagues received the National Extension Diversity Award in 2016.
Espinoza described herself as a “woman, a woman of color, a woman of color occupying a position within California government, I am both one in solidarity and one in oppression with tribal communities. I strive on a daily basis to maintain humility, curiosity, respect, excitement and so much more while I work and live on these lands of the North Coast. I strive to understand issues relevant to my community, provide learning opportunities as well as leadership and extension skills so community members may shine with or without me, and share what I learn… to engage for deeper understanding.”
She had a joyous heart, an infectious smile and a deep compassion for everyone.
Espinoza is survived by sons Nicolas White, 26, and Anthony White, 24, and sisters Denise Ziskin and Diana Sacramento.
In Espinoza's memory, 4-H colleagues are dedicating a bike rack at the ANR building in Davis. JoLynn Miller explained the significance, saying, “The story is that in meetings, there's always an easel with a ‘parking lot' to put ideas that need to be discussed later. Dorina always would suggest we start using the word ‘Bike Rack' because it's modeling healthy behavior. So, we're dedicating a bike rack in her honor.”
Davis artist Wes Horn will create a mosaic plaque composed of clay tiles made by Espinoza's family and friends. He anticipates installing the plaque in April.
Read more about Espinoza at https://www.vcstar.com/obituaries/pyrk0672218.