THOMPSON HONORS MAUREEN TOMS AS CONTRA COSTA COUNTY’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of Women's History Month, U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) recognized Maureen Toms as Contra Costa County's Woman of the Year. Toms was one of five women recognized. One woman from each of the five counties that make up the Fifth Congressional District was honored.

"I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district. It's important that they are recognized – and what better time to do it than Women's History Month," said Thompson. "Maureen is a tireless volunteer for our community. She helped develop the new city hall in Pinole, worked to improve to the Pinole Swim Center, obtained grants to plant trees in town, and helped with the reconstruction of the Pinole Middle School. She's active with the Special Olympics and a strong advocate for children with disabilities. It's my honor to recognize her as Contra Costa County's Woman of the Year."

Toms has been a strong supporter of the Special Olympics; as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome, she has been a tireless advocate for children with disabilities. She has also donated hundreds of hours as a volunteer on numerous planning committees that have led to improving the quality of life for the families and residents in the City of Pinole and West Contra Costa County.

Toms grew up in a family that believed in serving their community, and that philosophy became a lifelong passion. From helping children with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports and shatter stereotypes with the Special Olympics to helping beautify her local neighborhood by obtaining grants to plant trees in a local park, she has been a tireless advocate for the people and places that make our community special.

The origins of Women's History Month begin in Thompson's district. Until the late 1970's, women's history was rarely included in K-12 curriculum and was virtually absent in public awareness.

To counter this, the Education Taskforce of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978 centered on International Women's History Day. With the help of the National Women's History Project, founded in Sonoma County, thousands of schools and communities joined in the commemoration of Women's History Week.

In 1981, Congress responded to the growing popularity of Women's History Week by making it a national observance and eventually expanding the week to a month in 1987.

Earlier this month, Thompson introduced H. RES. 525, a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives honoring March as Women's History Month.

The women recognized were:

· Cynthia Guzman – Napa County Woman of the Year

· Pamela Phillips – Lake County Woman of the Year

· Gaye LeBaron – Sonoma County Woman of the Year

· Karen Taylor – Solano County Woman of the Year

· Maureen Toms – Contra Costa County Woman of the Year

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5^th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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