THOMPSON HONORS EVELYN CHEATHAM AS SONOMA COUNTY’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR

March 21, 2016
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Evelyn Cheatham of Santa Rosa was recognized as Sonoma County’s Woman of the Year by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) at a ceremony held on March 20th.

One woman from each of the five counties that make up the Fifth Congressional District was honored in recognition of Women’s History Month.

“I am honored to recognize Evelyn as Sonoma County’s Woman of the Year,” said Thompson. “Her selfless and wholehearted dedication to helping young people in need in Sonoma County is inspiring. Through her work with W.O.W., Evelyn not only helps some of our most vulnerable young people develop a useful skill, but also instills valuable lessons such as the importance of teamwork, hard work, and respect for oneself and others.”

After establishing her reputation as a high-profile chef cooking for celebrities, Cheatham decided to start a new venture that would help the young people of Sonoma County. She founded Worth Our Weight (W.O.W.), a culinary and food-service training program offered free of charge to young people who have dealt with significant challenges such as foster care, homelessness or trouble with the law. In addition to providing culinary and food-service training, W.O.W. provides a safe social circle for our young people, where they are less likely to be exposed to gangs or violence. Furthermore, Cheatham ensures the young people at W.O.W. have at least one good meal a day, a necessity that many of her students lack.

Cheatham’s service to the Sonoma County community extends beyond W.O.W. She serves on the Community and Local Law Enforcement Task Force, where she facilitates communication between law enforcement officers and citizens of Sonoma County.

The other women recognized are:

  • Josephine Orozco, Contra Costa County Woman of the Year
  • Maria Guevara, Solano County Woman of the Year
  • Linda Parks, Napa County Woman of the Year
  • Monica Rosenthal, Lake County Woman of the Year

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 5th 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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