On February 3rd, WANDA mom Noelia Corzo was one of three San Mateo County women to be awarded the first annual Women of Courage Award from the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. The online ceremony was attended by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D – 14, Burlingame), who commended the awardees for the courage they’ve demonstrated in using their voices to challenge the status quo and seek equity for the communities they represent.
Seeking to highlight and support outstanding young women, the award was created through an initiative sponsored by Cynthia Schuman, a longtime Peninsula resident and noted artist, in honor of her friend, Congresswoman Jackie Speier. The award sought to recognize young women who have demonstrated the same energy, integrity, and determination shown by Congresswoman Jackie Speier throughout her nearly fifty years in public service. Noelia was nominated for the award by WANDA co-founders, Susan Kokores and Dianne Giancarlo. Noelia joined WANDA in 2015 and graduated in 2018. Readers of this newsletter may remember Noelia from an article reporting on her successful run for a seat on the San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees in 2017. She made news shortly after her election by being featured on the January 29, 2018 cover of Time Magazine as part of a story on the surge of women across the country running for elected office. Noelia has since won re-election for her seat. We are so proud of Noelia!