Garamendi Honors 52 Women at Annual Women of the Year Awards 

BENICIA, CA – Today, at his 13th annual Women of the Year event, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) honored 52 women from California’s 8th Congressional District who are leaders and visionaries in their communities. Each honoree has made a real difference in our community through public service, business, education, and the local economy. 

“Every year, I’m honored to recognize the remarkable women of California’s 8th District who serve as the backbone of our community,” said Rep. Garamendi. “They come from every corner of our district and from many different backgrounds, and they work in a wide range of fields. Each is united by the profound impact they have on the people around them.” 

“Their commitment and passion for service deserve recognition, and through this award, their contributions will be preserved for generations in the official Congressional Record in Washington, D.C.” 

A video of the event can be found here.   

All photos of the event can be found here.

The 2026 Women of the Year Honorees are: 

Contra Costa County: 

• Laura Jacques (Antioch) 

•  Lisa Lacy (Antioch) 

•  Champagne Brown (El Cerrito) 

•  Stacy Wayne (El Cerrito) 

•  Susan Duncan (El Cerrito) 

•  Christine Mathias (El Sobrante) 

•  Jamela Smith-Folds (Hercules) 

•  Christine Dean (Martinez) 

•  Rachel Shoemake (Martinez) 

•  Annisha Geran (Pittsburg) 

•  Kaitlin Clink (Pittsburg) 

•  Annie King-Meredith (Richmond) 

•  Elana Bolds (Richmond) 

• Maria Del Rocio Martinez Luna (Richmond) 

•  Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela (Richmond) 

•  Dr. Mayra Padilla (Richmond) 

•  Michelle Denise Milam (Richmond) 

•  Nwaeze Nmereole (Richmond) 

•  Shasa Curl (Richmond) 

•  Amanda Jenkins (San Pablo) 

•  Dr. Rocio Hernández (San Pablo) 

•  Yolanda Mendoza (San Pablo) 

Solano County: 

• Christina Strawbridge (Benicia) 

•  Donna Marshall (Benicia) 

•  Jeannie Hamann (Benicia) 

•  Lori Peterson Grundman (Benicia) 

•  Rami Muth (Benicia) 

•  Dr. Sabrina Robertson (Benicia) 

•  Nancy Dunn (Dixon) 

•  Alicia Carr (Fairfield) 

•  Anjurle Duchaussee (Fairfield) 

•  Deborah Arana (Fairfield) 

•  Kathleen Grogan (Fairfield) 

•  Ivonne Malave (Suisun City) 

•  Teresa Tate (Vacaville) 

•  Ada Brown (Vallejo) 

•  Askari Sowonde (Vallejo) 

•  Carmen Slack (Vallejo) 

•  Supervisor Cassandra James (Vallejo) 

•  Cathy Rojas (Vallejo) 

•  Dr. Dela Morris (Vallejo) 

•  Helen Intintoli (Benicia) 

•  Melissa Edwards (Vallejo) 

•  Dr. Monique Sims (Vallejo) 

•  Norma Fulinara Placido (Vallejo) 

•  Patricia Hunter (Vallejo) 

•  Paula Bauer (Vallejo) 

•  Captain Samar Bannister (Vallejo) 

•  Sindy Lafages-McCree (Vallejo) 

•  Stacey Martinez (Vallejo) 

•  Toni Condit (Vallejo) 

•  Reverend Vanessa Magali Oden (Vallejo) 

### 

The post Garamendi Honors 52 Women at Annual Women of the Year Awards  appeared first on John Garamendi.