From Jan. 22 to Feb. 20, Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria invites the California 27th State Assembly District to nominate women leaders for the Women Leading the Way Awards. The awards ceremony will be held on March 21 at the Madera Municipal Golf Course.
Soria has hosted this event in honor of Women’s History Month since 2018 as a Fresno City council member. She continued the award on the district level after being elected to the assembly in 2023.
Soria said, “From business leaders, farmers, ranchers, single mothers, to self-made entrepreneurs and CEOs—this event is a rare opportunity for the community to speak up and nominate someone who is making a difference in their community.
“I cannot wait to read the nominations and meet a whole new cohort of women this year!”
The awards ceremony honors several women living and working within the district, nominated by individuals within their community. The number of honorees recognized at the event depends on the number of nominations received.
Brody Fernandez, Soria’s communications director, said the award is “not just recognizing a woman and honoring Women’s History Month, but recognizing a leader in the community chosen by their community members.”
Award honorees and the finalist will be announced in early March through social media, and are invited to bring friends and family to the awards ceremony.
This year, the ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Madera Municipal Golf Course. Honorees are invited to share coffee and breakfast with Soria, and local food vendors will cater the reception.
In past years, district staff have decorated the event with balloon arrangements, table decor and flower bouquets.
“It’s all put on by our district staff, who do such a wonderful job every year at the event. A lot of man-hours go into it, and there are many different components that take place at the event. It is 110 percent to celebrate the finalists and the winners of the event,” said Fernandez.
Nominations can be made through the Women Leading the Way Awards form on Soria’s website. Submissions must include a 200-word minimum biography of the nominee.
