SACRAMENTO –Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) announced Magda Menendez as her selection for the 2007 Woman of the Year for the 30th Assembly District.

“I am honored to select Magda Menendez as woman of the year in the 30th District, and feel that she wholly embodies the ideal of giving of oneself for the good others,” said Assemblywoman Nicole Parra. “Magda has devoted her life to community service, always seeking to help others by remaining an active, highly involved member of our community.”

“I am truly honored to receive this award, and thank my husband Luis and family for the support they provide. They are the reason I am able to continue working so hard to help the people of Kern County,” said Magda Menendez.

Ms. Menendez, a resident of Kern County, has been with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation since 1981, where she is responsible for the day-to-day program operation; supervision of 16 full-time employees; and 12 programs that provide daily employment training services for over 300 Kern County residents. In addition to her employment, she is currently serving as a Board Member for the Workforce Investment Board of Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties; she is a founding Board Member of the Latina Leaders of Kern County, a Governing Board Member of the Kern County Network for Children; a Board Member of the Blanche and Irma Weill Foundation, and serves as the Vice-President of the Richard Prado East Bakersfield Senior Center.

“It is important to remember the individuals in our community who face challenges most of us have never even thought about. When provided with opportunity, these underserved and disenfranchised individuals have so much to offer society. We must continue to reach out to them and provide that assistance,” said Magda.

The Woman of the Year event is held annually to commemorate extraordinary women in California actively working toward making a difference in their respective communities. On Monday, March 5, 2007 honorees will convene in Sacramento for a special ceremony to be held on the floor of the State Assembly.