County of Santa Barbara Commission for Women

Congrats to our Commissioner, Ingrid Bostrom, for being honored as one of the 2026 Women of the Year by Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón ✨

Photos and article by Elaine Sanders for SB Independent ✨

Congrats to our Commissioner Ingrid Bostrom for being honored as one of the 2026 Women of the Year by Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón ✨

Photos and article by Elaine Sanders for SB Independent ✨

The SB County Commission for Women “Women of the Year” awards were presented at yesterday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting ✨

District 1: Diana Ornelas
District 2: Primitiva Hernandez
District 3: Voces Sin Fronteras - Lompoc
District 4: Dr. Suzanne Levy
District 5: Suzette Lopez

Thank you to all the honorees for the impact you have our community & congratulations! ✨

The Santa Barbara County Commission for Women announces four women and one organization who will receive the 2026 Women of the Year awards. These honorees represent exemplary leadership and meaningful impact throughout our county.
The resolutions and awards will be presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting in Santa Maria on March 10 at approximately 10:30 a.m. The meeting can be viewed live at countyofsb.org or on YouTube.
We look forward to celebrating these remarkable leaders and their many contributions to our community. ✨

We shared one final monthly meeting with .grenier (center) before she prepares for college in the fall. Her voice, leadership, and dedication to the commission over the past few years have meant so much. We can’t wait to see the impact she’ll continue to make in the world. 🎓✨

The commission for women prioritizes time to uplift one another and celebrate milestones. Our monthly meeting last night closed with an 80th year young birthday celebration for - who was also attending the last meeting of her term. JoAnne’s energy and commitment to women and girls will be greatly missed - and we thank her for her service. ♥️🎈

So proud to support literacy, confidence, and opportunity for the next generation. 📚✨

Thank you to Girls Inc. for hosting an inspiring Literacy Night, and to everyone who joined us for an evening centered on learning, empowerment, and community. The Santa Barbara County Commission for Women is honored to sponsor programs that uplift girls and help them build strong foundations for their futures.

Commissioner JoAnne Meade Young received the congressional award from as a Woman of the Year for 2025 ✨

JoAnne Meade Young attended a segregated two-room school through the third grade. Learning did not come easily to her, which motivated her to ensure that low-income children, children of color, and children with learning disabilities and ADHD were recognized and placed on a path to educational success. When she moved to Santa Barbara in 1990 to become principal of Mountain View School in Goleta, she became the school’s first Black principal. Over the next 17 years, she served as principal of Brandon School, El Rancho School, Ellwood School, and as Director of the Goleta State Preschool. Even in retirement, she has continued to serve the community. She ran the Santa Barbara Spelling Bee for five years, and helped found the Santa Barbara Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, and served as a board member of the Family Services Agency and as the District 2 Commissioner for Women. Her lifelong commitment to equity and education has left a lasting impact on generations of students and the broader Santa Barbara community.

Congrats to JoAnne for her well deserved recognition! ✨

The commission for women is sponsoring Family Literacy Night on January 15th from 5:30-7 pm. Please join us .carp 📚

EQUAL MEANS EQUAL v. Donald Trump. I want to make sure our community — the people who have stood with us for more than a decade — has everything needed as we enter this historic moment.
This hearing is a critical step in our effort to compel the federal government to publish and enforce the Equal Rights Amendment, which has already met every constitutional requirement. Your support is the reason this case exists — and the reason we’ve been able to keep the truth alive when so many forces have tried to bury it.
 
🔊 HOW TO LISTEN TO THE HEARING
Tuesday, December 16 — 10:30 AM ET
Registration opens December 14
Go to:
https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html (https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.RNKlYhK-gnABEpCnH88uwPVdBeStlJ82b8Zoup2F7Hp08EKJNbDF5Ik1jZR1mH6FCeR27M8f_XntRPeZDKLJoK5XmWlp7HNqvQRfKO4PDxEgLjcRo7GEDjWqrcX6PPMZgh2_nyfSsSZJfuhZL-byHeDekxogQWylD7r7alqf2-L8j_HXO1vbxOdEzrYJdiQCaHSt0CDfxhi4CxSoAfQ1w8VRJCQ8_gPmEakWqtV3NfeJdVa5PekViiYvwwT4UHvbsOnpsBwMVyoqqcSgkimA7XChDRiRogibxOkElBventv478PO9qX39R23stYhlkSpFJwUzLUbMdzArniNunj_4U0ffDdqbEBSNb0WTXAPgISHSz6FEYUZDZIsn7rHWJ0i/4m7/CcMKMrgMSnOXmY1D3JZwUw/h1/h001.G1kTixH_D1Is1CH5QyPRnlFzrXSxmQZ3XYn5TrAI_k8)
→ Select Dec 16 / Judge William G. Young
→ Find Equal Means Equal v. Donald Trump
→ Register
→ Log in on Dec 16 at 10:30 AM ET to listen live.
 
📣 FOLLOW OUR NEW SUBSTACK
Because of the volume of misinformation and the complexity of this lawsuit, we created a dedicated Substack for rapid updates, legal explanations, and shareable content.
 
Many of you have already subscribed — thank you.
 
👉 Subscribe here:
https://equalmeansequalupdates.substack.com (https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.HV-T5b9C6Y6Pisqo-P4Pmyh64gYHUsTTs7c81YJjnZPeO9AE2IfOguQjOtR2cIvOzMf5rWZVcJl37DalYz88-03Bq6E80iQsYjmNGWNgbqfeQ-Uf-8vznyspcVW9RjDMsh7x7l94XD-6KpqZZe5hQYA1SVI8hBwU9C6DIxJBGPU11RvBwmFacN7i6ojWsgwHDB6Zmu9ZySB6bqr8Qo7gpIAsx2blkdO-wYowtRCtZrq0tztLA1U75Z5kYKdcscl1YJGwOX3IMoRZ1Lgr2szMMRSunV_n-WC22cGK4EFk5f36HG0HpX2Y8WWh4YD1fjqHLQW8Nw0qq3ZGOWc9pQRD34jycRr6tAVa4xe-lYuBo0w/4m7/CcMKMrgMSnOXmY1D3JZwUw/h2/h001.vW0IXJx8SdMN7uoRs3RBeESfAdfy0JQX6txtco8P63Q)
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We’re in need of new towels, twin sheets, comforters, and bedding to support survivors in our programs. 💜
If you’d like to donate or schedule a drop-off, please email [email protected].
Thank you for helping us create safe, comforting spaces for those we serve.