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Betsy Marchand, a trailblazer for women in Yolo County politics and the first female ever to be elected to its Board of Supervisors, passed away at the age of 89. As confirmed by the Yolo County Coroner's Office, she died of natural causes on October 22. Marchand is remembered for her six terms on the Board after making history in 1972. Her focus during her tenure covered key areas including water management, land use, transportation, and healthcare, as noted by the UC Davis California Agricultural Issues Lab obtained by ABC10. After retiring in 1996, Marchand continued her services to the community. She was appointed the president of the State Board of Reclamation where she served from 2001 to 2005. A testament to her commitment to local development, a Yolo County resolution recognized her victorious fight for a grant exceeding $13 million, which laid the groundwork for the infrastructure of Woodland Community College. Aside from her public service, Marchand held a B.A. from Pomona College and an M.A. from Vanderbilt University, and also spent time teaching high school students across California, detailed by the California Agricultural Issues Lab website. Reflecting on Marchand's influence, City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby took to social media to express her admiration and gratitude for the pioneer. "Betsy Marchand was the first woman ever elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors," Ashby wrote on Instagram. Ashby remembers a local pundit's doubtful remark about a woman winning a seat in Yolo County, only to have Marchand prove it possible amidst a symbolic snowfall in Woodland on the day her victory was announced. In her Instagram post, Ashby shared her personal relationship with Marchand, from first meeting her as a young single mom and considering her a boss, to regarding her as a mentor who set the standard for her own life of service. She recalls Marchand's support for many women, emphasizing, "Betsy made way for many women, not just me." Marchand, who was recently in hospice, expressed pride in Ashby during their last meeting, a memory that continues to inspire the councilwoman.
