Congressman Names Maria Cisneros 2024 Napa County Woman Of The Year

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Every year, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson selects inspiring women from California’s Fourth District to recognize their outstanding work and effort over the past year to make our community a better place.

In Napa County, the honor was bestowed on Maria Eduviges Lopez-Cisneros, principal of Valley Oak High School.

"Maria Cisneros has worked tirelessly to improve access to education for all Napa County residents," Thompson said. "She has been an advocate of programs that support first-generation college-bound students. Over her 29 years in the Napa Valley Unified School District, she has been critical in implementing the Advancement Via Individual Determination —AVID—program and increasing the number of students attending Summer Search. It is a combination of her wisdom, compassion, and strength that makes her such a great leader. I am proud to recognize her as Napa County's Woman of the Year."

The Napa Valley Unified School District issued a statement celebrating Cisneros as Napa County Woman of the Year, stating that Cisneros's dedication has transformed the landscape of education in Napa County.

With a career spanning over 29 years in the district, Cisnero is a beacon of hope and progress. She's not just an educator; she's a trailblazer, the district said.

"This honor is so well deserved and not surprising for those of us who witness the transformative work Principal Cisneros does each day for her students," said NVUSD Superintendent Dr. Rosanna Mucetti. "She provides a safe, inclusive, welcoming school environment for students by partnering closely with parents and the greater Napa Valley community to build a framework of support around them. This helps ensure their success in school and as they enter the world. She does so with immense humility and care. We are grateful for her service to our community."

As a Napa High counselor, Cisneros introduced the AVID program to the district. Since then, the AVID program expanded districtwide, enhancing access to education for first-generation, low-income college-bound students. Her efforts also increased participation in programs like Summer Search, opening doors for countless students.

Her journey from moving to the United States at the age of 10, to becoming a first-generation college graduate in her family of 10 is inspiring. With degrees from Sonoma State University and a heart full of passion, she's changed lives as a counselor, coach, assistant principal, and now, as the principal of Valley Oak High School. Cisneros's leadership has led to the school's success as a model for continuation education. Each year she helps nurture over 230 at-promise youth.

Her contributions extend beyond the classroom. Maria has been instrumental in securing grant funds, expanding educational programs, and serving on various boards and committees focusing on housing, mental health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and education.

The women who join Cisneros as 2024 women of the year from the Fourth District are: Ana Santana, Lake County; Jill Orr, Solano County; Karen Collins, Sonoma County; and Karen Urbano, Yolo County.

The North Bay Roots Of Women's History Month

The Woman of the Year Recognition Ceremony was started in honor of Women's History Month to recognize women's service in the community. Moreover, Women's History Month originates here in California's Fourth District in Sonoma County.

It was the week of March 8, 1978, when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women coordinated "Woman's History Week" to correspond with International Women's Day.

Santa Rosa schoolteacher Molly Murphy McGregor led the weeklong celebration, highlighting women's contributions to American history, culture and society through presentations at dozens of schools throughout Sonoma County. Additionally, hundreds of students participated in an essay contest honoring local women. There was even a parade in downtown Santa Rosa.

Although the 1978 event was not intended to become an annual celebration, women's history celebrations were organized in several U.S. communities the following year, according to a March 1, 2023 article, "An Introduction to Women's History Month."

Across the country from Sonoma County, a 15-day conference on women's history was held in July 1979 at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Historian Gerda Lerner chaired the event. Afterward, historians and women's activist groups began working together to lobby for a National Women's History Week.

Back in Sonoma County, a group of women got together in 1980 in Santa Rosa and founded the National Women's History Project —NWHP — with the goal of the organization being to highlight and recognize the historical national achievements made by women.

In partnership with other women advocacy groups and historians, the NWHP successfully lobbied for national recognition and President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 National Women's History Week. After this accomplishment, the NWHP began advocating for the entire month of March to be designated Women's History Month.

Seven years later, Congress passed legislation designating March as Women’s History Month. It has been recognized every March since then to uplift and celebrate the incredible contributions and accomplishments of American women.

In 2018, the Santa Rosa-based National Women's History Project transitioned to the National Women’s History Alliance —NWHA — to better support the study and celebration of women’s history all year long.