Congressman Names Karen Collins Sonoma County Woman Of The Year

SONOMA 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 Sonoma County, where Women's History Month got its start, Thompson honored Karen Collins as the 2024 Woman of the Year.

"Karen Collins is a prominent leader in our district on environmental and women’s health issues," Thompson said. "She is an outstanding member of our community, having served on countless commissions and organizations throughout Sonoma County including the City of Sonoma's Environmental Advisory Commission, the Sonoma County Regional Parks Advisory Commission, and the City of Sonoma Parks and Recreation Task Force. As a chair and member of various other community organizations, Collins' dedication as a public servant is clear. I am proud to recognize her as Sonoma County's Woman of the Year."

The Woman of the Year Recognition Ceremony was started in honor of Women's History Month to recognize women's service in the community.

Here is the complete list of 2024 winners from the Fourth District:

• Ana Santana, Lake County
• Maria Cisneros, Napa County
• Jill Orr, Solano County
• Karen Collins, Sonoma County
• Karen Urbano, Yolo County

Women's History Month Rooted In Sonoma County

Women's History Month originated in Sonoma County and California's Fourth District.

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.