(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, is pleased to announce her honoring of Kimberley Thomas during the legislature’s 20th annual Woman of the Year event.

“Kim has been a tireless advocate for children,” said Evans. “Without all of her hard work and commitment, Solano County wouldn’t be such a great place for kids to grow up.”

Ms. Thomas is the Executive Director of the Children’s Network of Solano County, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of children through education, collaboration, and advocacy. In 2005 and 2007, the efforts of Children’s Network were specifically acknowledged as Solano County was named one of the “100 Best Communities for Kids” in the nation by America’s Promise, an organization established to promote the well being of youth in our nation. Further information about Children’s Network, of Fairfield, is available at http://www.childnet.org/.

“Kim has channeled her experiences as a single mother into a passionate career to help children,” adds Evans.

Ms. Thomas was instrumental in developing the nation’s first child support law while working for then Assemblymember Art Agnos. This legislation addressed the adequacy of child support payments and served as a template for current federal law. She later worked as a committee consultant for the California State Legislature where she was instrumental in working on welfare reform issues.

Each year, every member of the State Senate and Assembly honors the accomplishments of a woman whom they represent during the Woman of the Year event. These women are invited to the Capitol and honored during a formal ceremony on the floors of the Senate and Assembly.

Sponsored by the Women’s Caucus each year, the Woman of the Year event was started in 1987 by Assemblymembers Bev Hansen (R) and Sally Tanner (D) as a way to celebrate the contributions made by remarkable women throughout California during Women’s History Month.