Press Release
Posted:
“Karen Collins is a prominent leader in our district on environmental and women’s health issues,” said Thompson. “She is an outstanding member of our community, having served on countless commissions and organizations throughout Sonoma County including the City of Sonoma’s Environmental Advisory Commission, the Sonoma County Regional Parks Advisory Commission, and the City of Sonoma Parks and Recreation Task Force. As a chair and member of various other community organizations, Ms. Collins’ dedication as a public servant is clear. I am proud to recognize her as Sonoma County’s Woman of the Year.”
The Woman of the Year Recognition Ceremony was started in honor of Women’s History Month to recognize the service of women in our community.
Women’s History Month has its origin in California’s Fourth District. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women coordinated a “Woman’s History Week” during the week of March 8th to correspond with International Women’s Day. In 1980, a group of Sonoma County women founded the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) in Santa Rosa, California. The goal of this organization was to highlight and recognize the historical national achievements made by women.
In partnership with other women advocacy groups and historians, the NWHP successfully lobbied for national recognition, with President Jimmy Carter declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. After this accomplishment, the NWHP began advocating for the entire month of March to be designated as Women’s History Month. Seven years later, Congress officially passed legislation designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. Every year since, Women’s History Month has been recognized in March to uplift and celebrate the incredible contributions and accomplishments of American women.
A complete list of 2024 winners include:
• Ana Santana – Lake County
• Maria Cisneros – Napa County
• Jill Orr – Solano County
• Karen Collins – Sonoma County
• Karen Urbano – Yolo County