Vallejo Times-Herald: Vallejo’s Guevara named Solano County Woman of the Year

By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen

Vallejo’s Maria Guevara was named Solano County’s Woman of the Year by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) as he introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring March as Women’s History Month.

He also recognized this year’s theme, “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government,” he said.

Four other women in Thompson’s district were also named Woman of the Year.

“On behalf of all women everywhere who see this beautiful world as an opportunity to create eternal changes, I am grateful to receive this award,” Guevara said. “I honor all community builders whose compassion, focus and love is a mission of solutions — keeping in our minds and hearts that each life in need is important.”

Guevara expressed gratitude for living in Vallejo, “where inspiring men and women surround me — teaching me the eternal lesson of living in a community of ‘We’ as I know that one person cannot do it alone.”

Women’s History Month, now a national movement, began right here in our district, Thompson said.

“I’m proud to continue the legacy of recognizing and celebrating the many contributions women have made to our country and our local community by introducing this resolution,” he said.

In 1978, the Education Taskforce of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration to encourage the inclusion of women’s history in K-12 curriculum, Thompson’s office noted.

With help from the National Women’s History Project, also founded in Sonoma County, thousands of schools and communities joined in the commemoration of Women’s History Week. In 1981 Congress designated a national Women’s History Week, and by 1987 Congress had expanded the national observance from a week to a month.

Based in Santa Rosa, the National Women’s History Project chooses the theme of National Women’s History Month each year.

In celebration of National Women’s History Month, Rep. Thompson is recognizing five extraordinary women, one from each of the five counties in the Fifth Congressional District.

Guevara is the founder of Vallejo Together, which serves Vallejo’s homeless by providing meals, connecting homeless individuals to resources and hosting several community events including “Unity Day” and the “Youth and Parent Expo,” Thompson’s office said.

“Maria tirelessly devotes her time and talents to those most in need in our community,” Thompson said. “Maria previously worked on the staff of Fighting Back Partnership in the Solano Mentor Collaborative Program, with Filipino American Social Services and as a board member of Youth & Family Services.”

National Women’s History Project Executive Director and Co-founder, Molly Murphy MacGregor, said, “This year we honor women who have shaped America’s history and its future through their public service and government leadership. Although often overlooked and undervalued, collectively they have dramatically influenced our public policy and the building of viable institutions and organizations,” she said. “From championing basic human rights to ensuring access and equal opportunity for all Americans, they have led the way in establishing a stronger and more democratic country. We are proud to recognize their work not just in March, but throughout the year.”

Thompson also said he felt privileged to work with such “incredible women.”

“And while honoring women should not be limited to one month out of the year, the good work these women have done for our district should be recognized,” he said. “They are leaders in their community and thanks to their efforts, our community is stronger today.”