California State Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón this month recognized 11 women from Senate District 21 during the Legislature’s annual Women of the Year celebration held in Women’s History Month.
“Our honorees are key members of their communities and often do the unseen work to keep their organizations running,” Limón said in a statement. “I am proud to bring that work into the spotlight. I congratulate this cohort on their achievements and their commitment to improving our district.”
Sen. Monique Limon with her “Women of the Year” nominees (courtesy)
Honorees were selected for contributions that include protecting children, preserving the arts and advancing climate conservation.
This year’s recipients are:
Teresa Alvarez, executive director, Carpinteria Children’s Project
Elena Brokaw, the Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, Museum of Ventura County
Ingrid Bostrom, photojournalist, Santa Barbara Independent
Christine M. Cardona Threadgill, director of programs, Friends of Fieldworkers
Terease Y. Chin, Asian American community advocate, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
Haley Ehlers, executive director, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas
Melissa Miller, community partnerships manager, Ventura County Credit Union
Angela Montgomery Timmons, licensed clinical social worker, Community Advocacy Coalition
Ann Saunders McCarty, executive director, North County Rape Crisis & Children Protection Center
Elisabeth Rizo, early childhood education (retired), Santa Barbara City College
Erica Ruvalcaba, executive director and founder, Corazon Latino
The California State Legislature first recognized Women of the Year honorees at the State Capitol in 1987.
Limón serves as the 50th president pro tempore of the California Senate and represents District 21, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.
Biographies of this year’s honorees are available here.