Sacramento, CA – California State Assemblymember Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) has named Reyna Diaz his 2008 Woman of the Year for the 57th Assembly District. 

Hernandez will present the award to Diaz in a ceremony at the State Capitol on Monday as part of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus annual “Woman of the Year” celebration in which legislators have the opportunity to select one woman from their district to be so honored.

“Reyna is not only the consummate community volunteer,” said Hernandez “if she sees a need that is not being met she steps up and organizes the response herself.”

Diaz is a school board member for the Duarte Unified School District and has organized numerous fundraisers for college scholarships to go to Duarte students.  Among her many volunteer activities, Reyna serves in the Foothill Pregnancy Resource Center as a counselor and delivers hot lunches to Duarte’s seniors through the Meals on Wheels program.  She also serves as a director for the Foothill Unity Center, whose stated mission is to help local people in crisis attain self-sufficiency by providing food, clothing, crisis services and referrals for other critical services to qualified individuals and families.     

“Reyna is selfless with her time and efforts on behalf of others,” continued Hernandez “she is constantly looking for ways she can help in her local community and the larger global community as well.”

In September 2006 Diaz delivered 125 wheelchairs for the disabled to El Salvador. She regularly travels to Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala to take toys and other items to families in need.  In conjunction with the Duarte Kiwanis, Diaz has organized fundraisers to assist disaster victims, build orphanages, establish clinics for the terminally ill, and create rest homes for ailing seniors in Mexico and Central America.

“I am constantly amazed by how much Reyna does,” added Hernandez “she really is an inspiration to me and everyone she encounters.”

Reyna has been married for over 31 years, and has one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren.