Tirzah Woodward

Tirzah Woodward was born and raised in Twain Harte, first attending Twain Harte Elementary, then Mother Lode Christian School from 5th grade till 12th grade, playing basketball, volleyball and softball as well as participating in various youth groups, mock trials, writing contests and other community programs. 

 Upon graduation, Tirzah moved to San Luis Obispo, where she received her Bachelors degree in Political Science from Cal Poly. In college she was very involved in Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru) and met her husband, Steve Woodward, a Cal Poly graduate in mechanical engineering. 

 Upon graduation, she and Steve married and together moved to Sacramento, where Tirzah attended law school at McGeorge School of Law. She graduated Cum Laude with an emphasis in both taxation & estate planning. 

After law school, Steve and Tirzah decided to return to Sonora to begin their careers.  Tirzah commuted to Modesto and worked as an estate planning and business attorney with Mike and Dave Gianelli at Gianelli & Associates. After a few years of commuting to the valley, Tirzah joined Jim Gianelli and Tamara Polley, practicing estate planning and business law. She remained with their firm until 2012, when her second child was born. 

 Tirzah then made a career shift from law to full time homemaking and mothering. Steve and Tirzah have four incredible children and for the last 10 years she has homeschooled them, advised in the family manufacturing business, and gotten involved at Mother Lode Christian School, where her older children are currently attending. 

 She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sonora Area Foundation and use her education, experience and passion for our community to help strengthen our area.