THOMPSON HONORS CYNTHIA GUZMAN AS NAPA COUNTY’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of Women's History Month, U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) recognized Cynthia Guzman as Napa County's Woman of the Year. Guzman 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. "Cynthia is a strong advocate for Alzheimer's awareness and she works tirelessly to reduce the stigma attached to the disease. She's come to my office in Washington, D.C. and I'm proud to have participated multiple times in her Walk to End Alzheimer's. She is an extraordinary person and it's my honor to recognize her as Napa County's Woman of the Year."

In 2011, Ms. Guzman was diagnosed on her 63rd birthday with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. Not one to accept her challenges without a fight, Ms. Guzman moved to Napa to be closer to her family, and began raising awareness and advocating for increased research funding for this terrible disease. She has been an active member of the Alzheimer's Association and has been spreading her personal story throughout the region.

Ms. Guzman's story has been published in multiple books, magazine, and newspapers. She has come to Washington, D.C. as a part of the Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum and has organized multiple Walk to End Alzheimer's in our community.

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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