Rep. Napolitano Honors 2014 “Unsung Heroines” Women of the Year
(Azusa, CA) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano honored 24 women who had been nominated by volunteer organizations for exemplary service at the 2014 "Women of the Year" ceremony at the Azusa Woman's Club in Azusa.
"The general public does not realize the importance of volunteering in churches, civic organizations, and nonprofits that these women bring to their communities," Napolitano said. "The efforts these women have made, which have taken them away from their families, are to be commended and celebrated. Our attempt to recognize a few of these women whose unselfish acts impact so many is symbolic of the countless unsung heroines who make a difference in so many lives. We thank them and their families, and we congratulate them on their achievements."
"It is truly a humbling honor to be recognized for something you feel everyone should be doing," said Sonia Fernandez of San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance. "I choose to volunteer because my parents and my grandmother always said to have compassion for others and do what you can to help someone else. You gain so much more than you give when you volunteer, and you truly can change a person's life by a simple act that comes from your heart."
"I really believe in the work my organization does, it's not just providing the service but working with partnerships in the community," said Shana Sanchez of Azusa Neighborhood Homework House. "I found that volunteering is a very reciprocal relationship sometimes, and just as much where I have strengths and can teach someone else, I learn some much from the people I work with. Because of Congresswoman Napolitano's extensive community work that she has been involved in, to be recognized by her and her office is a great honor."
Each woman's name was submitted by their volunteer organization or community group which felt their contributions deserved special recognition. Napolitano gave out the awards and thanked the women personally.
The 2014 Women of the Year:
Janice Alvarado, City of Glendora – La Fetra Center – Glendora
Maria Rosa Berdin, Old Town Puente Association – La Puente
Vicki Brown, La Verne Chamber of Commerce – La Verne
Sylvia Chapman, San Dimas Sheriff's Booster Club – San Dimas
Susan Davis, San Dimas Historical Society – San Dimas
Ofelia De Guzman, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church – Baldwin Park
Madeline Escarcega, East Valley Boys and Girls Club – La Puente
Carol Facciponti-Malcom, Citrus Valley Association of Realtors – Glendora
Sonia Fernandez, San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance – El Monte
Mayra Galicia, The Vet Hunters Project – El Monte
Denise Gutierrez, Esperanza Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars – La Verne
Ana Gutierrez, El Monte Promise Foundation – El Monte
Dr. Denise Patton, Kiwanis Club of West Covina – West Covina
Maggie Ramirez, El Monte Television Channel 3 – El Monte
Willa Reynolds, Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education – Baldwin Park
Gloria Romero, City of Azusa, Office of the Mayor – Pathfinder Ministry – Azusa
Anita Ron, West Covina Lions – West Covina
Shana Sanchez, Azusa Neighborhood Homework House – Azusa
Beatriz Sandoval, L.A. Voice Baldwin Park – Baldwin Park
Patricia Sipos, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District – Hacienda-La Puente
Joanne Spring, City of Monrovia – Monrovia
Dr. Kimlin Tam Ashing, City of Hope – Duarte
Vicke Thrower, Monrovia School Board – Monrovia
Janet Wickersham, Azusa Neighborhood Homework House - Azusa
###