Gwendolyn Lorraine Dowdy-Rodgers honored by State Legislature as 2019 Woman of the Year

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes honored Gwendolyn Lorraine Dowdy-Rodgers of San Bernardino as the 2019 Assembly District 47 Woman of the Year. Organized by the Legislative Women’s Caucus, the Woman of the Year award recognizes women from all over the state for accomplishments in their respective fields and for their dedication to improving the lives of others in conjunction with Women’s History Month.

Gwendolyn Lorraine Dowdy-Rodgers, a long-time noted speaker, assistant pastor, board of education member, and founder of the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation was selected to receive this years’ Woman of the Year award based on her work with students and parents.  The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation empowers young women to reach their highest aspirations via mentoring and scholarship opportunities that support participants from middle school through their first year of college. Gwen also established an annual spring “Girl Talk” conference for young girls along with an annual fall “Healthy Me” wellness conference for women to address chronic health issues.

“It is an honor to recognize Gwen for her commitment and dedication to the communities of the Inland Empire. Her leadership and sacrifice for others is a model we all should aspire to,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “Gwen is a champion for the region through her work to empower and uplift young women across the region.  Gwen made a decision to give back to her community with her time, efforts and knowledge and we should look to her as an example of what we can do to help others.”

In total, over 120 women were nominated from throughout the community for the Woman of the Year award which recognizes local women for accomplishments in their respective fields and for their dedication to improving the lives of others in conjunction with Women’s History Month. 

Nominees came from a variety of different backgrounds ranging from educators and community advocates to county employees, students, business owners and heads of local non-profits.  After review, 30 finalist were selected before the final selection of Gwendolyn Lorrain Dowdy-Rodgers

2019 Woman of the Year Finalist for the 47^th District:

Alexa Sigala – Fontana

Alice Chow Geske – Grand Terrace

Aurelia Renteria – Fontana

Carol Malone – Rialto

Demi Espinoza – Muscoy

Dr. Letitia Wright – Fontana

Elsie Valdivia Robles – Colton

Erika Flores – Bloomington

Francine Blacksher – San Bernardino

Gloria Amaya – San Bernardino

Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers – San Bernardino

Isabel Hunt – Fontana

Jean Kayano – Grand Terrace

Jennifer L. Morris – Rialto

Joyce Chambers Hampton – Rialto

Judith Valles – San Bernardino

Karen Larson Coleman – Fontana

Kathy Williams-Braxton – Colton

Kimberly Calvin – San Bernardino

Kimberly Clark – Fontana

LaKeisha Jackson – San Bernardino

LuCretia Dowdy – Bloomington

Maribel Núñez – San Bernardino

Maricela Soliz-Ferguson – Rialto

Megan Moeskau – Grand Terrace

Pamela Langford – San Bernardino

Paula Beauchamp – San Bernardino

Rebecca Gallegos – Colton

Rev. Bronica Martindale-Taylor – San Bernardino

Rosa Loera – Muscoy