THOMPSON HONORS PAMELA PHILLIPS AS LAKE COUNTY’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of Women's History Month, U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) recognized Pamela Phillips as Lake County's Woman of the Year. Phillips 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. "Pam served five amazing decades as an employee of the Social Security Administration, retiring last June as Manager of the Lakeport Social Security Office where she worked for more than 30 years. I've worked with Pam for the past 16 years and her work ethic and dedication to our mutual constituents was outstanding. She is an extraordinary public servant and it's my honor to recognize her as Lake County's Woman of the Year."

Over her exemplary five decade career as a public servant, Phillips worked her way up from receptionist to Field Manager of the Lakeport Social Security Office. Throughout her career, Phillips always did her upmost to alleviate the immediate personal need in every dire situation and to see that every question was answered and every beneficiary was well-served.

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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