LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In recognition of Women’s History Month, state Sen. Mike McGuire has chosen seven women from throughout Northern California as Women of the Year for their dedication, hard work and extraordinary accomplishments throughout Northern California.
Among the honorees is Carol Huchingson, Lake County’s Valley fire recovery coordinator and incoming county administrator.
Every March, Sen. McGuire celebrates the contributions women have made by recognizing Women’s History Month. It is an opportunity to highlight the significant achievements women have fought to accomplish all throughout this great nation.
This year’s national Women’s History Month theme is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service & Government” and this year’s Northern California recipients exemplify that sentiment with unmatched commitment and dedication.
In addition to being named the Lake County Woman of the Year from the Second Senate District, Huchingson is being recognized as the overall North Coast Woman of the Year.
Huchingson started with the county of Lake in June 1993. She served as the county’s director of Social Services during many tough years when staffing and budgets were especially tight in Lake County.
Then when the devastating fires tore through Lake County last year, Huchingson wore many hats as the director of Lake County Office of Emergency Services and Valley fire recovery coordinator, and the director of the county’s Social Services department.
Huchingson, who has helped lead the county through a very difficult past six months, recently accepted the position as the next Lake County administrative officer, an appointment that goes into effect April 2.
“At a time when Lake County needed a strong, dedicated and organized leader to deliver emergency and recovery services, Carol stepped up and led the county through the disaster and she's now leading the charge with rebuilding local communities. Thank you Carol for your commitment to Lake County!” McGuire said.
Also recognized from the counties that comprise Northern California’s Second Senate District are the following: Gina Zottola, Del Norte; Connie Stewart, Humboldt; Pat Kendall, Marin; Janet Pauli, Mendocino; Jennielynn Holmes, Sonoma; and Kelli Gant, Trinity.
“This phenomenal group of women continue to inspire and bring positive change to our local communities and we're excited to recognize their track record of success,” McGuire said.
Senator McGuire will be honoring these Women of the Year at a luncheon in Santa Rosa on Friday, March 18.
Profiles of the recipients from Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma and Trinity counties are featured below.
Del Norte: Gina Zottola
Gina Zottola is the director of the Wild Rivers Community Foundation and is improving Del Norte’s future.
Zottola is working on engaging youth in the community and creating opportunities for Career and Technical Education.
She also served as the Crescent City-Del Norte Chamber executive director and focused on physician recruitment in Del Norte.
Humboldt: Connie Stewart
As the director of the California Center for Rural Policy, Connie Stewart is front and center to the research that informs policy and builds community for rural California.
Formerly the mayor of Arcata, Stewart serves the community in so many ways: as a board member to Open Door Community Health and the Redwood Acres Fairground and as a member of the Humboldt Food Policy Council.
Marin: Pat Kendall
For three decades Pat Kendall has worked tirelessly and fearlessly to help build a healthier Marin.
She is the driving force behind Healthy Marin Partnership, has helped to lead the efforts to raise funds to rebuild San Rafael’s Pickleweed Community Center and founded the Marin Autism Collaborative, among many other accomplishments.
Mendocino: Janet Pauli
Janet Pauli has worked for many years on local watershed issues, is a director on the Potter Valley Irrigation District Board and is chairwoman of the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission.
Pauli is active with the Farm Bureau, and with her husband Bill, owns and operates Pauli Ranch, farming pears and winegrapes.
Sonoma: Jennielynn Holmes
Jennielynn Holmes is an incredible advocate for Sonoma County’s most vulnerable, serving as director of Shelter and Housing Programs for Catholic Charities.
Holmes is a tireless advocate for expanded homeless services in local communities. She also serves her local community on the Santa Rosa Community Advisory Board.
Trinity: Kelli Gant
Kelli Gant is a director for the Trinity PUD and the Trinity Chamber and was a driving force behind creating a vision for the North Trinity Lake communities on the Trinity Lake Revitalization Alliance.
Gant keeps community first in everything that she does. She was recently appointed to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Huchingson named 'North Coast Woman of the Year'
- Lake County News reports
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