Dolores “Dee” Juanita Sanchez Gonzales

Dee was born in Bakersfield, California on July 12, 1934 to Anita and Juaquin Sanchez. She was a member and Board Member of The Contreras Family, which has awarded college scholarships to Kern County students for more than 30 years.

Dee attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College.

Service to others had been the mainstay of Dee’s incredible life. Beginning at the age of 12, where she helped her mother run a boarding house and cook for farm workers and sheep herders, she continued her community service working 14 years as a court interpreter, she also served on the Kern County Alcohol Advisory Board as well as sitting on the Kern County Jail Needs Assessment Committee. This is just a sampling of the many ways in which Dee has given back.

Dee was also one of the pioneering women to work in the oil field business as an employee of Standard Oil (now Chevron).

As one of her last acts of service, Dee established the Dolores “Dee” Juanita Sanchez Gonzales Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Bakersfield College student who exemplifies giving, hard work and grit.