Meet the Region 8 Coordinators
The Women’s Network Region 8 Team covers New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California.
Monica Valdovinos
Monica Valdovinos became active with the UFCW Women’s Network in the summer of 2023, bringing with her a strong commitment to leadership development and member advocacy. Her involvement in the labor movement began under the mentorship of a former union representative, an experience that inspired her dedication to empowering workers and strengthening union representation.
Monica first stepped into union activism as a SPUR during the Political Nevada campaign in 2018, followed by service as a SPUR for UFCW Local 770 in 2019. Her passion and effectiveness in these roles led her to join union staff in 2020, and she was appointed Union Representative in September of that year.
In addition to her professional union work, Monica has pursued advanced education to further strengthen her advocacy. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Science in September 2023 and went on to complete her Master of Science in Human Resources (MSHR) at Pepperdine University in April 2025.
At the UFCW Women’s Network Convention in Costa Mesa, Monica was elected Region 8 Coordinator, a role in which she continues to advance organizing efforts, mentor emerging leaders, and support the growth and impact of the labor movement. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, education, and collective power.
Autumn Mitchell
Autumn Mitchell is a dedicated labor leader with nearly two decades of service to UFCW Local 99 in Arizona. Originally from Michigan, she relocated to Arizona in 2005, marking the beginning of her proud career in the labor movement. Autumn first joined Local 99 as an Organizer, where her passion for worker advocacy and natural leadership quickly became evident. She went on to hold several key positions, including Business Representative and Grievance Coordinator, roles in which she strengthened member engagement and ensured workers’ voices were heard.
Today, Autumn serves as Executive Assistant to the President of Local 99. In this capacity, she helps oversee the daily operations of the Local and plays a vital role in contract negotiations, contributing her strategic insight and steady leadership to improving working conditions for thousands of members.
Autumn is also an active and enthusiastic participant in the UFCW Women’s Network. In 2023, she stepped into a leadership role within the Network, deepening her commitment to empowering women and advancing gender equity across the labor movement.
Despite her many professional achievements, Autumn’s proudest accomplishments are her two sons, Deshea (18) and Avery (11). She remains unwavering in her dedication to workers’ rights, fairness, and dignity for all working families.
Linda Martinez
Linda Martinez is a proud Union Representative with UFCW Local 324 in Orange County, California, where she has spent more than 22 years standing up for workers at Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Vons, Gelson’s, and CVS stores.
Linda’s union journey began in 1997 when she started working at Albertsons and quickly became a Shop Steward, advocating for her coworkers on the shop floor. Her passion and leadership led her to the Special Project Union Representative (SPUR) Program, and she was later hired on staff as a Union Organizer, turning her commitment to justice into a lifelong career.
A dedicated member of the UFCW Women’s Network for over 25 years, Linda has also served as a Regional Creator for Women’s Network Region #8 for the past two years, helping uplift women leaders, build solidarity, and strengthen our collective voice.
As the daughter of farm workers who immigrated from Durango, Mexico in the early 1970s, Linda witnessed the harsh realities faced by immigrant workers in Southern California’s fields. From long hours to inhumane working conditions, these early experiences shaped her promise to fight injustice and ensure no worker stands alone.
Driven by her family’s sacrifices, Linda continues to empower women, advocate for fairness, and give workers the strong voice they deserve—on the job and in the union.