Three Santa Barbara County leaders were recognized Wednesday evening as the 2026 California Women of the Year for the 37th Assembly District during a ceremony hosted by Assemblymember Gregg Hart.
Around 100 community members attended the event at the County Administration Building, which honored Claudia Caceres, Mona Miyasato and Primitiva Hernandez for their contributions to public service, community advocacy, and local journalism.
Former women of the year, Terri Maus-Nisich, Erica Flores and Tere Jurado introduce each of three women, respectively.
“The progress we see at the state level is rooted directly here in leadership at home,” Hart said. “This year, we’re proud to honor three extraordinary women whose work reflects the strength, resilience, and compassion of the Central Coast.”
The annual California Women of the Year program recognizes individuals selected by members of the California State Assembly for their service within their districts.
Mona Miyasato, who has served as Santa Barbara County’s chief executive officer since 2013, was honored for her leadership through major challenges, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her tenure has included efforts to modernize county operations while maintaining continuity of essential public services.
“A good day for the county is when it looks like nothing happened, and that work is invisible, but it is important work,” Miyasato said.
She added that public service remains an ongoing responsibility.
“The real honor is having the ability and privilege to serve, and the real work is still right in front of us,” she said. “The real measure is how we continue to ensure everyone in the county is safer, healthier, treated with dignity and humanity.”
Hernandez was recognized for her work as executive director of 805UndocuFund, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to undocumented families in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Founded in response to the Thomas Fire, the organization operates a rapid response network that includes a 24-hour hotline, volunteer mobilization, and direct financial support.
Hernandez described the larger meaning behind receiving this award.
“I receive this award on behalf of all the fearless women in the movement,” Hernandez said. “This award belongs to us all who refuse to be silent in a time where silence has become the norm.”
She encouraged continued advocacy and collective action.
“Do not wait for permission. Do not wait for instructions,” Hernandez said. “No one is going to hand us the change that we want. We must build it together.”
Claudia Caceres, founder and chief executive officer of Santa Maria-based Tu Tiempo Digital, was honored for her work in Spanish-language journalism and community outreach. Her reporting has focused on public health, immigration, and education, while her community efforts have addressed language barriers and social isolation among Indigenous and Spanish-speaking families.
Accepting the award in Spanish, Caceres described her role as a journalist and advocate.
“My commitment has always been and will continue to be to serve as a trusted messenger, someone who does not merely report the news, but who walks alongside her community to help resolve the issues that affect us all,” Caceres said.
She also called for compassion in addressing community challenges. “I pray every day that love may be the force that moves people’s hearts and that through kindness and generosity, this hostility may cease,” Caceres said.
The ceremony concluded with a reception following the speaking program.
