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Who We Are
The Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) of Collier County was chartered as a unit of the statewide organization (Democratic Women’s Club of Florida) on April 27, 1971.
Our Purpose
We provide a forum for discussion of public matters, support qualified candidates for public office and encourage qualified Democratic women to seek elected office.
Meet DWC Board of Directors
Tasha Van Hest
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Tasha Van Hest’s Biography
Originally from Connecticut, I attended Flagler College in Saint Augustine, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1977 with a double major in Elementary Education and Specific Learning Disabilities K-12. Since 1977, I have taught in four Florida School Districts, (Duval, Flagler, Lee, and Collier) as well as Western Pennsylvania and Fort Worth, Texas. I retired from Collier County Public Schools in 2015.
In 1979, I married Chris Van Hest, and we moved to Naples in January of 1980. We have two wonderful adult children, Bill and Liz, who attended Collier County Public Schools. Bill earned a Finance Degree from the University of Central Florida, (Go Knights!) and a Masters of Finance Administration from University of Maryland. Liz graduated from Florida State, (Go Noles!) with a degree in Social Work and earned her Masters in Social Work from Michigan State.
I believe every person deserves a right to an excellent public education, equal access to affordable medical care, and the right to live our lives with dignity and safety pursuing our own choices and values. I believe these are the principles on which our country was founded, and I believe they are the principles of the Democratic Party.
I am a member of the DWC because I want to work with people dedicated to providing a “forum for the discussion of public matters, to support qualified candidates and to encourage qualified Democratic women to seek elected Office.” Together, WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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Molly Cook
2nd Vice President
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Molly Cook, 2nd Vice President for Membership
My name is Mary Alice Cook, better known as Molly.
I was born in Massachusetts in 1965 into a very Republican family. My Father was extremely active in local politics. He served on various boards and financially supported the Republican Party. He remained a Republican for the rest of his life, but he could not bring himself to vote for the current President.
I remained a Republican because of my upbringing. When Barack Obama was a candidate for President, I stopped thinking about my Family’s political affiliation and voted for who I believed shared my values and principles. I officially registered as a Democrat in 2008.
I became active in Politics in 2015 when I was inspired by my close friend Tamara Paquette, who was running for the Collier County District 5 Representative. I joined the DWC and attended various meetings for a much-needed education.
At the end of 2019, I took the position of Chair for DWC. As Chair, I am also the 2nd VP. Our current President, Tasha Van Hest, is on medical sabbatical. For the time being, I am assuming her responsibilities.
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Erika Ferrari
Secretary
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Erika Ferrari, Secretary
I graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California; I am a former Assistant State Attorney for Pinellas County FL; I practiced criminal Law in Ft Lauderdale where I owned my own law practice.
I registered as a Democrat on the same day I became a US citizen, which was the day of the U.S. Bicentennial.
I’m an unabashed Feminist; I became involved with the National Organization for Women in the Los Angeles Chapter headed by Gloria Allred, who inspired me to become an attorney in a man-dominated field.
I co-founded the NOW Chapter in Palm Springs California; I participated in the ERA March on Washington DC in 1978 and in the ERA March in Illinois in 1979. I have never given up the fight to include women in the US Constitution.
I moved to Naples in 20010 and joined the Democratic Party. I served as D.E.C. Secretary for four years; I am a C.C.D.C. member. I campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2008, and then campaigned for nominee Barack Obama; I campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As an attorney, I worked inside the polling stations in Collier County during early voting and in Golden Gate polling place on election night where I observed very serious problems, particularly involving Democratic voters of color and Hispanics.
I have marched proudly in the two Women Marches here in Naples and I am proud to serve as the Secretary for Collier County Democratic Women’s Club on the 2018 Board of Directors.
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Dr. Kathy Ryan
Treasurer
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Dr. Kathy Ryan, Treasurer
I was born and raised in Detroit, attending the public schools there through the ninth grade. My family moved to suburban St. Claire Shores, where I graduated from South Lake High School. I then went on to Michigan State University, where I earned a BA in Social Science and an MA in counseling. I taught for four years at Chippewa Valley High, outside Mt. Clemens, and was a counselor at Roseville High in Roseville for two years. Forty-seven years ago, I moved to SW Florida and took a job with Collier County Schools as a counselor at Immokalee Middle School. During this time I worked on and completed my Doctorate at Florida Atlantic University. After eight years I moved to Immokalee High as a teacher for nineteen years. My final two years with the system was spent in a district job, as Director of Summer School, where I oversaw a budget of $3 million, hiring over 500 people, and supervising the staff, curriculum, transportation, and food services for a large student population at seven sites around the county.
In retirement I volunteer my time to schools through the High School and Middle School Scholar Bowl Programs, High School Mock Trial, Know Your County Government, and Middle School Debate. I also serve on the Naples Council on World Affairs Outreach Committee, interviewing high school juniors for scholarships to travel abroad for the summer. I am an active member of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. I was also a Florida Council of Social Studies Board Member from 2003-08.
From January through May of 2017, I served on 4 Social Studies textbook selection committees (American History, American Government, Economics, and Electives: Psychology, Sociology, and geography) for the District.
I have been a member of DWC Collier since 2007, and the Treasurer and member of the Board since 2015. I am running for a seat on the Collier County School Board.
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Please Consider becoming a member of our board. Some of the wonderful women who currently hold positions are ready to pass the Baton, their hands are outstretched and ready to be your guide. Your help is needed and appreciated. Opportunities include President, 1st VP (Programs), Treasurer, and Newsletter
Currently and until further notice because of Coronavirus, our meetings are virtual. Please check event calendar for details.
Meeting Information
6710 Lone Oak Blvd, Naples, FL 34109
Meetings 4th Thursday of Every Month 6 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Membership
We are an organization for registered democratic women in Collier County. We invite all registered democrats, regardless of gender, to join us as members.
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