Experience History in The City of Sonoma
A History of International Relationships
The first sister city relationship was between the City of Sonoma and the City of Chambolle-Musigny, France. With more sister city relationships to follow, the Sonoma Sister City Association was established by official agreement, signed on September 8, 1986, between the City of Sonoma and Sister Cities International (SCI). Today, we have 7 Sister City Committees all operating under the aegis of SSCA . Each of our committees work with SSCA to advance our mission and that of SCI, creating the opportunity for citizen to citizen diplomacy. Over the years, our Sonoma City Mayor and several members of the City Council have been personally involved with delegation visits and have been on delegation visits abroad. Over the years, SSCA, with the vision of the City of Sonoma, has been an important factor in the recognition of Sonoma as international tourism destination.
Rich Historical Beginnings and Landmarks
The town of Sonoma, centered on the Sonoma Plaza, is a historically significant town in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, which is just 40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Here the Bear Flag Revolt took place in 1846 which led to independence from Mexico and California becoming a state of the United States on September 9, 1850. Many historical landmark adobe buildings surround the Plaza, including the Sonoma Barracks and Mission San Francisco Solano which was built in 1823 and was the last of the 21 Franciscan missions built in California between the 1700 – 1800’s. Sonoma City Hall, pictured above, was built in 1908 and is still in use today. It is a focal point on the Plaza, which is itself a National Historic Landmark. Sonoma is known for its “slow” food culture and Sonoma County is a center of the California’s wine industry for the Sonoma Valley AVA Appellation. Many residents of Sonoma are third or fourth generation Italian-Americans and French-Americans, descendants of immigrants who came to the area to work in wine making. Click here for more information about the City of Sonoma.
Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:C.Maylett
Photo credit: Monica A. Menco/Artesia Animastra Vineyard
Fostering Global Citizen Diplomacy
Sister Cities International (SCI) was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 during the Cold War Era as a 501(c)3 nonpartisan, nonprofit, national membership organization to serve a network of tens of thousands citizen diplomats around the globe who champion peace and prosperity. Through the SCI program platforms, over 145 countries have hosted visiting International leaders, engaged in cultural and arts exchanges, developed youth and education programs, provided humanitarian assistance, and stimulated economic and sustainable development.
Sonoma Sister Cities Association (SSCA) was established on September 8, 1986, by official agreement between SCI and the City of Sonoma, as a nonprofit organization to create long-term partnerships between Sonoma and communities in other countries where we have mutual, beneficial interests. Today, SSCA has seven sister city relationships that extend to four continents. Our citizen diplomats are ordinary citizens who, as a group of volunteers, pursue municipal, business, trade, educational, humanitarian, social and cultural exchanges with our sister cities. Under the auspice of the City of Sonoma and with the support of local elected officials, we are a driving part of SCI’s global network of sister city partnerships.
Learn About SSCA
Our Mission
Through international people-to-people relationships, our mission is to promote global peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation – – one individual, on community at at time. This mission is advanced through four broad-based goals with our global partners to
- Facilitate cultural and arts exchanges
- Support humanitarian assistance projects
- Offer youth and educational programs
- Stimulate economic and sustainable development
Meet the Board of Directors
Our Board composition continues to grow, with Committee Chairs for all seven of our affiliates. Our Officer slate for 2024 is as follows: President Stephanie Fine, Vice President Robert Demler, Secretary (Acting) Robert Demler. Our Treasurer Office is currently vacant. Our Committee Chairs are 1) Aswan/George McKale, 2) Chambolle-Musigny (aka Chamson)/Vic Aul & Adrian Rodriguez (Co-Chairs), 3) Greve-in-Chianti/Patrick Pesetti, 4) Kaniv/Kaeti Bailie, 5) Patzcuaro/Lazaro Robledo & Mayra Bautista (Co-Chairs), 6) Penglai/Peggy Rubens, and 7) Tokaj/ Sylvia Toth and Joan Toth (Co-Chairs). Our other Board members are 1) Gigi Pfleger (Membership Chair), 2) Andrew Sorokowski (Director at Large), 3) Monica Menco (Director at Large/Website Manager), and 4) Sherri Ferris, Director of Protocol.
Come Celebrate the 13th Anniversary…
The Sonoma -Penglai Sister City relationship turns 13 this year, and you’re invited to celebrate this occasion on Saturday, May 18th at the Sonoma Botanical Garden from 5:00-7:00 p.m. There [...]
“Save the Cat” – A Ukrainian Story Screening Saturday, March 23rd
As part of a selection of short film documentaries (Reality Bites) the Sonoma Valley Film Festival will screen "Save the Cat" on Saturday, March 23rd at the Sonoma Valley Woman's [...]
Aid from Sonoma is Getting Through!
SSCA President Stephanie Fine is please to share this photo of an aid package being opened by very grateful Ukrainians in our Sister City of Kaniv. Thank you, Sonoma! [...]
Sonoma Stands with Kaniv & Ukraine on February 24th
Imagine our delight on Saturday evening to look up at City Hall and see the colors of Ukraine shining from the city’s clock!Brian from the city staff was incredibly [...]
Sonoma/Ukraine Vigil at City Hall on February 24th
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE Sonoma/Ukraine Vigil at City Hall on February 24th Will Mark Two Years Since Russia Invaded Ukraine On Saturday, February 24, at 6:00 PM, the Sonoma Sister [...]
St. Vincent Torney Wine Competition Returns to Chambolle-Musigny in 2024
History Repeats Itself: Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Chambolle-Musigny for the St. Vincent Torney 2024, an historical wine competition, the first of which was held in [...]
Dragons, Dancing, and More…
The Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee is collaborating with the Sonoma Community Center to celebrate the 2024 Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon) on Saturday, March 2nd. This afternoon [...]
Please email your questions to president@sscasonoma.org.
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