Napolitano Honors 2018 “Unsung Heroines” Women of the Year
(EL MONTE, CA) On Friday, April 20, 2018, Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano honored the 2018 "Unsung Heroines" Women of the Year for exemplary service at an awards ceremony at the Grace T. Black Auditorium in El Monte.
"Each one of you is a unique volunteer, and you all deserve recognition and special attention for your selfless acts of service to our San Gabriel Valley communities," Napolitano said. "Your compassion, hard work, enthusiasm, and creativity, with a lot of understanding, touch many lives and make a world of difference. We sincerely thank you for giving so much of yourselves for the benefit of others."
16 women received the award. Each woman's name was submitted by her volunteer organization or community group which felt her contributions deserved special recognition. Napolitano gave out the awards and thanked the women personally.
"There are a lot of needs in our community, so I would encourage future volunteers to look at areas they feel comfortable and give any time they can to those causes," said Carol Gilkinson of the City of Glendora. "I feel humbled and very surprised to receive this recognition. It is very nice to see people who are doing extra things be recognized."
"Growing up we were taught to help others in need no matter who they were," said Mona Diaz of the City of La Puente. "And if you do something good, something good will come back to you."
"You can gain a lot of self-confidence and self-esteem when you volunteer," said Pam Greene of the Monrovia Police Officers' Association. "Go out there and find someone to help."
"When you give something to your community, you're helping your neighbors, and it makes you feel good. It's a win-win," said Barbara Radford of the City of Monrovia. "Volunteering at a young age can help determine career paths, and it also helps older women like me stay active."
The 2018 Women of the Year:
Annalynn Apolinario – California Mental Health Connection
Teresa Balcazar – North Whittier Neighborhood Watch Avocado Heights Association (NWNWAHA)
Keshia Bowen – Councilmember Larry J. Spicer, City of Monrovia
Maria Campos – Baldwin Park United Methodist Church
Mona Diaz – Mayor Pro Tem Dan Holloway, City of La Puente
Carol Gilkinson – Mayor Pro Tem Judy M. Nelson, City of Glendora
Pamela "Pam" Greene – Monrovia Police Officers' Association
Lynn Hendricks – Councilmember Karen Davis, City of Glendora
Esperanza B. Herrera – Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education
Katy Ingersoll – Citrus Valley Hospice and Home Health
Rebeca Martinez-Barrett – Councilmember Jerry Velasco, City of El Monte
Suzanne Perez – Councilmember Cruz Baca, Baldwin Park Women's Club
Dorann Poynter – Azusa Woman's Club
Barbara Radford – Councilmember Becky A. Shevlin, City of Monrovia
Yolanda Valadez – City of La Verne
Sandra "Sandy" Williams – Monrovia Police Department
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