Working &
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Breastfeeding
Working &
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Breastfeeding
Working &
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Breastfeeding
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Coalition
About the
Meet the Board
Crystal THORnTON, President
BA, CLEC, MSP
“My work is grounded in the belief that every family deserves accessible, respectful, and culturally competent care. As President of the Coalition, I am dedicated to being a lifelong learner and professional in the field . I look forward to gaining knowledge from and alongside fellow board members and community partners as we strive to ensure equitable breastfeeding opportunities for all. .”
Crystal Thornton is a proud Black mother of three, a passionate activist, and a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and 13 years of expertise in breastfeeding support. Holding both a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Social Sciences and an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Crystal combines her academic foundation with extensive hands-on experience to advocate for the well-being of children, mothers, and families, particularly within marginalized communities in her native home of Stockton, CA.
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Since 2021, Crystal has worked for Delta Health Care's SistaCoach program. In this role, she works alongside WIC nutritionists, dieticians and a host of breastfeeding professionals in efforts to provide mothers with culturally relevant education surrounding perinatal wellness and mental health as it relates to Black maternal health.
In addition to her professional and academic achievements, Crystal has been an active member of the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County since 2018. Her service includes leading efforts to promote breastfeeding education, support, and advocacy across the community. As an activist, she is deeply committed to advancing racial equity, maternal health, and children's rights, working tirelessly to break down barriers to healthcare and support in underserved communities.
wendy howard, vice president
CLEC
"When I had my daughter, I didn’t have the support of someone who breastfed or the knowledge and resources to look to for help. I had trouble getting her to latch on my own and ended up giving up about a month into it. I have learned so much about breastfeeding from working at WIC the past 6 years and want to let people know that there is help and resources out there. Being a part of the Breastfeeding Coalition, allows me to work with lactation professionals in our community and provide information and support to community based partners and women in general who want to breastfeed"​​
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Wendy Howard serves as an Administrator, Breastfeeding Coordinator, and Regional Breastfeeding Liaison (RBL) with San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) WIC Program, where she has worked for nearly six years. In her various roles, Wendy has supported countless families—helping women, infants, and children meet their nutritional and breastfeeding goals through compassionate, evidence-based care.
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Drawn to a career in public health by her passion for helping others, Wendy has contributed to numerous initiatives that strengthen breastfeeding support and maternal health within the community. She has provided guidance in breast pump access and breastfeeding education, and now, as an RBL, she focuses on bridging gaps in education and resources between healthcare providers, community organizations, and families. Wendy collaborates closely with Tamesha Turner of Delta Health Care to build a strong, coordinated network of lactation support across the region.
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As the current Vice President of BreastfeedSJC, Wendy is dedicated to ensuring the coalition remains focused, organized, and inclusive—working to grow membership and expand community education around breastfeeding and family wellness.
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Anna Groves, TREASURER
IBCLC
Anna Groves is a dedicated Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Coordinator, and Peer Counseling Supervisor with Delta Health Care’s WIC Program. With over 20 years of experience serving families in her community, Anna has made it her mission to support, educate, and empower parents on their breastfeeding journeys.
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Her passion for maternal and child health began through her work with La Leche League and the Public Health WIC Program, where she provided compassionate, evidence-based support to new and expectant mothers. A long-time BreastfeedSJC member, Anna continues to collaborate with partners and advocates across the region to strengthen community-based breastfeeding support.
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Drawing from her own experiences as a breastfeeding mother and her background in early childhood education, Anna brings both professional expertise and heartfelt understanding to every family she serves. Throughout her career, she has mentored countless peer counselors, built strong community partnerships, and championed breastfeeding as a vital foundation for family wellness. Her dedication, warmth, and wealth of knowledge continue to inspire those around her.
”I believe the work of the Coalition is key to ensure all mothers have access to quality breastfeeding support and resources.”​
Dymon hanes, SECRETARY
BS, CLEC, CD
" If I can be the light that I received when I wanted to give up my breastfeeding journey, then I know I have fulfilled my purpose."​​
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Dymon Hanes is a proud breastfeeding mother, sharing four beautiful children with her life partner. Her journey into peer breastfeeding support and advocacy for Black maternal health began in 2015, sparked by her own lived experiences and a deep desire to uplift families within her community. Each challenge she faced along the way fueled her commitment to expanding her knowledge and role in community health care services.
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Through her work, Dymon has developed a strong passion for addressing the disparities and biases that many families encounter in vulnerable communities. This dedication led her to become a Certified Community-Based Lactation Education Specialist, Doula, and Community Health Worker, providing evidence-based education, advocacy, and hands-on support to underserved families throughout San Joaquin County.
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Dymon’s ultimate goal is to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), continuing her mission to ensure every family—regardless of background—receives the support, respect, and care they deserve on their breastfeeding journey. ​
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Ericka DorseY, advisor
M.Ed., CLEC
“I am super excited to continue on the extraordinary commitment of support, education, recognition, and service to the community that the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County is known for.”
Ericka Dorsey is a proud fourth-generation San Joaquin County resident and a former breastfeeding mother of three. She is deeply committed to supporting Black women and other vulnerable populations by listening to their experiences and finding meaningful solutions to increase breastfeeding rates. Ericka is passionate about amplifying the voices and stories of Black women to inform local policies, advocate for equitable maternal and child health, and foster holistically supported families. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Promotion and Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Spelman College, and is a certified fitness instructor, blending health, wellness, and education in her work.
As a maternal and infant health consultant, Ericka has collaborated with organizations such as the California Breastfeeding Coalition, providing research expertise to curate educational, evidence-based, and advocacy-focused content for social media and community engagement. She brings a strategic, informed approach to maternal and infant health initiatives, ensuring that families have access to accurate, practical, and culturally responsive resources.
Ericka is also the co-founder of Flourishing Families, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting Black mothers through motherhood, breastfeeding, and holistic wellness based in San Joaquin County. Through her work, she continues to champion equity, education, and empowerment, helping families thrive and building stronger, healthier communities.
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olivia millan,aDVISOR
IBCLC
"Cooking is my love language and I enjoy being a grandmother to my beautiful granddaughter Arabeya."
Olivia Millan has spent nearly 30 years dedicated to empowering families and strengthening community health through breastfeeding and nutrition support. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and currently serves as the WIC Program Manager at Community Medical Centers, where she leads efforts to ensure equitable, family-centered care.
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A graduate of Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa and UC San Diego Extension, Olivia brings a rich blend of cultural understanding, clinical expertise, and leadership experience to her work. She previously served as the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator and has played a key role in developing and implementing training programs for WIC team members, CMC providers, clinic staff, and community partners.
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Since 2016, Olivia has been an active member of the California Department of Public Health’s WIC Division Breastfeeding Committee, contributing to statewide initiatives that advance lactation equity and education. A long-time member of the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin—where she has held multiple board positions—Olivia continues to champion collaboration, education, and compassionate care for families across the region.
Tamesha TURNER, ADVISOR
IBCLC
“My vision for the Coalition is to create a resource network of support that surpasses all cultures, languages, and biases…where families can be supported by the village so they can provide their children with the best start...Breastfeeding.”
Tamesha (Valverde) Turner is a devoted wife, proud mother of three amazing young Black men, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Doula based in Stockton, California. A third-generation Stocktonian with more than 23 years of experience, she is passionate about supporting expectant and new families with culturally responsive, inclusive care. As a former teen mother and WIC Peer Counselor, she brings a lived, equity-focused perspective to creating inclusive, learner-centered breastfeeding education.
In her current roles at Delta Health Care—as the WIC Regional Breastfeeding Liaison (RBL) for San Joaquin County and Program Manager for the SistaCoach Program—Tamesha is dedicated to building a strong, continuous network of breastfeeding support for all birthing families. She has expanded county-wide access to culturally responsive lactation care by training WIC staff, healthcare professionals, organizations and community leaders across San Joaquin County.
A long-time member and former Vice President of BreastfeedSJC, as well as a past California Breastfeeding Coalition Summit Chair, Tamesha brings both regional and statewide insight to her leadership roles. She is also the co-founder of Flourishing Families, Inc., a local nonprofit rooted in the belief that breastfeeding begins with cultivating a true village of support for families.