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Inland Empire Women of Distinction Honored by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes

Author Annette Chavez Macias was also honored as Reyes’s Woman of the Year at the California State Capitol on March 20.

For immediate release:
  • Jenn Hardy

(Rancho Cucamonga)— On Thursday evening, Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) honored Women of Distinction from the 50th State Assembly District, which she represents. On March 20, local author Annette Chavez Macias was honored in Sacramento as Reyes’s Woman of the Year, recognizing Macias’s creative representation of Mexican American families in the Inland Empire. A resident of Rancho Cucamonga, Macias just released her second novel, “Too Soon for Adiós.” In addition to publishing two books in less than a year and writing stories under her romance pen name, Sabrina Sol, Macias is the Executive Communications Writer for Inland Empire Health Plan.

“With so many remarkable women in our district, the 22 women I honored this year represent the rich diversity of the Inland Empire’s communities and contributions.” said Reyes at the event. “They have dedicated their passion and energy to science, safety, community development, healthcare and more. In turn, I am dedicating this Woman’s History Month to them.

“I know that representation matters and that’s why it’s important for me to write about Mexican American families living their normal everyday lives, while staying true to their culture and traditions,” said Macias. “It is such a blessing to be recognized for something that you are passionate about and enjoy doing. I am truly honored to receive this award from Majority Leader Gómez Reyes.”

Linda Dominguez, the Chief of External Relations for the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, addressed the honorees as the event’s guest speaker. Visit a50.asmdc.org/photo for pictures of the event, provided by the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Full biographies for Macias and all honorees are available upon request.

2023 Assembly District 50 Women of Distinction honored at the event were:

  • Liliani Adriani, Owner of Angel Jewelers and Board Member of multiple community organizations
  • Sonia Boggust, Field Training Officer for the San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Department
  • Annette Chavez Macias Novelist and Executive Communications Writer for Inland Empire Health Plan
  • Dr. Esther Chong, Fellow in Training serving Hematology and Oncology patients throughout San Bernardino County
  • Michelle Decker, President and CEO of the Inland Empire Community Foundation
  • Nancy Dediemar, Retiree from owning a small business who is a Volunteer Extraordinaire of multiple community organizations
  • Brenda Dowdy, Homeless Education Project Manager in the Innovation and Engagement Branch for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
  • Jessica Estrada, Director of Education for UCR’s California Volunteers College Corps and part of NASA’s Artemis I Social
  • Paula Flores, Volunteer Extraordinaire with 15 years for Relay for Life and other community organizations
  • Dee Goins, Executive Director of YouthBuild Inland Empire
  • Susan Gomez, Chief Executive Officer of the Inland Empire Community Collaborative
  • Nicole M. Holmes, Foster Caregiver of children and animals and Volunteer Extraordinaire for multiple community organizations
  • Dr. Carol Lee, Emergency Medicine Vice Chair and Residency Program Director at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
  • Helen Neri, Founder of the Angeles Especiales support group for parents of children with disabilities
  • Elizabeth McSwain, Founder of the Caramel Connections Foundation and the Joy Community Garden in Ontario
  • Farah Mohamed, Smile America Abdi Foundation
  • Destiny Owen, CEO and President of the Camp Shape Foundation and Shape Your Destiny, LLC
  • Roxanne Rios, Community Advocate and Volunteer who serves as the Vice President of the San Bernardino Democratic Luncheon Club
  • Kristin Washington, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
  • Dr. Amy Young, Chief of the Forensic Pediatric Division at Loma Linda University’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Director of the Children’s Assessment Center
  • Stephanie Santoyo, Transitional Assistance Program in San Bernardino County
  • Rosa Martha Zárate Macias, Singer and Composer who founded Libreria del Pueblo, Inc. and Calpulli

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes is available for interviews in Spanish and English. The Majority Leader of the California State Assembly, she represents Assembly District 50, which includes all or parts of the cities of Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, and San Bernardino, as well as unincorporated Bloomington.

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