>> celebration (clapping.) wow. >> people will forget when you said, people that forget with you did. but people will never ever forget how you made them feel. >> those, of course, were the words of the phenomenal mayor the first female operator of san francisco's cable cars. and the 5 women we're honoring do i have an uncanny knack to make everyone they encounter feel herding and seen but worst any and valued. good afternoon

everyone's aim kimberly the director for the department on the status of women. >> (clapping) and it is my honor to welcome you to the mayors twenty-four hour women's history month sermon this year we're richter scale women that promote diversity and enlargement and inclusion one of the things i love most about san francisco when it comes to item trailblazers and changemakers we have talent our beneficiary is the it today is 5 honorees respecter that beneficiary but the work of the building exist and equity and infection for decades in fact, cloefk those women have been doing that work for more than one hundred years. long before the summer of infecting and brianne taylor

before our country our state and city were forced to reckon with the ugliness of racial inner justice they were doing the work for more just san francisco so today, we honor them and their long-standing commitment to putting in the time and doing the work. women when regardless of many obstacles and challenges disappoint and setbacks unless pursued those women have profiled and they epitomize as we condition to revise this work year 19 with so many good morning in the word and contribute and serve at beacons of hope and light that is women's history month is all about and this is this year's honorees are explain about and

pc of profiles and courage i am incredibly proud to introduces the next woman leaders born and raised in san francisco and herself religion to greatness. a woman has dedicated her desire career for lifting up others through public services please help and welcome 45 mayor and the first black woman to serve as is mayor of san francisco london breed (clapping.) thank you. kimberly for that warm introduction and more importantly to really bring together so many incredible trailblazers and amazing women not city and county of san francisco not just our department heads and our

commissioners, who are joining us but also these incredible trailblazers for the work they've done and continue to do to uplift women in san francisco and throughout this country we are so hurnd to have each one of you before i continue i want to take the opportunity thank some of our advisor supervisors have joined us including supervisor walton and supervisor preston and president peskin thank you for joining us and welcome you're ladies da rose deacon thank you, (clapping.) as well as our fire chief nicholson and mary protocol and carmen chu administrator. (clapping.) and in essence women run this plays we have about 54 percent of our commissioners that serve

um, that are women. 58 um, percent of the commissioners uptick the people that serve as women are department heads. and 45 percent of our workforce is women so let me say that 54 percent of commissioners women and 58 percent of the department heads women and 45 of our workforce women (clapping.) and so watch out president peskin the women have taking over. but we'd like to have your help (laughter). >> and this year's theme equity, diversity and inclusion have an important one especially in light of the challenges that continue not just in san francisco but throughout the world quay when you bring together the incredible accuracy

of next. women i'm about to honor i'll see why they're significant and so they're so important and why? because of their work and their commitment and advocacy have transformed the lives of so many i'm going to start with with manny scott. >> (clapping) i've known matte since i was a kid had you grew up in the western edition you know all the moms and the grandmother and they're you're hunger they'll fed you, you have to take your shoes off but can come in and use the bomber matte scott is a trailer blazer in our community the work she's done the advocacy she's pushed to address gun

violence sadly because of the loss of her own son through her tragic i couldn't mingle what show went through and everyday thinking about her son george and the fact that i know wanting him here and knowing the senseless gun violence it took his life continues to this day and impacted community all over in country in some of the most traffic ways kids are doing drills to protect themselves from gun violence because of what has happened in the country and matte scott didn't sit back and wait for something to happen or change but consistent in her advocacy to bring victims together to share their stories and advocate for again gun

violence an important part of our community when we were losing people to gun violence weekly and sometimes days in the row mating any scott with her mom came in as beacon of hope and supervision and helped to lift up the spirit of people in their takeist hours and she went on to work with a number of people the brady united against gun violence in california as well as moms to demand action because the moms were not taking it is no more and wanted to step up and that gap you've been to bridge between the african-american mothers and at raise fighting against gun violence it has been truly inspirational to watch you bring people together to watch help

people no neither struggles and advocate for challenges for the legislation and waterproof iowa watch to push the envelope wearing your heart on your sleech and unlike to people in the advocacy world come and go you have persisted in our work and everything you've done and not just around gun violence but also for the freedom co-op to make sure we protect the residents of freedom and looking at the funding sources including private sources to rebuild the community and to make sure that in light of what free development did in the past moving 0 people out your protecting the community with our work, your advocacy and everything you do i can go on and on telling amazing stories but no one has more of a heart

of gold for protecting life and valuing the people of the community then this honoree please welcome matte scott. (clapping). >> thank you, mayor london breed. >> she's right she's my daughter we moms, you know, take action and continue to take action i want to first give the honor for homeland security me up wouldn't have done it without and a honoree to my mother she can't hear by shields think one hundred and 2 in april silver spring. >> to my son and 345i my

daughter scott and ronnie and daunt when keeps mow sharp. and my sister and brady and sherri all the moms here and everything from the community from the united players and everything thank you, for being here and being on this adjourn with us this journey is not easy it is painful but, you know, we don't lay down we get up. when things happen. i always bring any babies picture everywhere i go every breath is a gift to my son george scott father of who beautiful boys and now i'm a great grandmother you all. but anyway, um, you know, there is a

scripture i stand-in 0 my mother told us second chronicles 14 my people if any people which is us are called by my name is humble themselves and pray and seeker any face and turning from my bigotry and racism and ways i would individual did lands that's what it says i, i have forgive their sips and heal their land i believe in the i stand on that principle today we're here as citizens of god kingdom and together to do better i believe we can end gun violence and stop the killing and start the healing because this about all of us or none of us this about all of us or none

of us your child is my child it is what time is it? so i thank mayor london breed more this honor and brady family and moms and families for being here. and like i said beautiful women that are honored thank you for what you've contributed and done thank you. and so much for us to do we have work to do aaron we have work to do. yes, we are in control we feed i men two we can't do it alone like i said all of us or none of us i'm a firm believer we can and will stop the violence and confident and will be here for it had do and two advocate for our children that is crying to come

up to school drills so our children can play on the grourndz and confident we can come to city hall when i happen to worry about someone coming in and taking lives. and the can't do it alone i need you. we need each other let's get the job done. thank you very much. >> (clapping). >>

(clapping.) it matches you're out fit (clapping.) we can put it back on the table (unintelligible). >> okay. >> all right. let's give matte scott another a round of applause. >> now for the next honoree all i got to say had you talk about a phenomenal women you look at up in the dictionary next to phenomenal woman is her i'm in awe of her because of the work she's done for decades. i can take us a back had i was young a long time ago and, yes thank you, thank you (laughter). >> and i remember meeting is a

any for the first time at an event hosted for partners ending domestic abuse an organization that she started and organization that works to raise resources to help a number of organizations in san francisco that serve people who have been impacted by domestic violence and a lot of the trail blazing work she's done has opened the door for the city to do more and to be a real partner in providing resources including support for women who need to escape in some cases violent situations and having a place to live while they figure out what they're next steps are this organization she started helped to pave the way. but today, i

can say so many things but sissy swig for her support for the jewish museum or all things helping to the arts and uplifting community and marking contributions. but her heart today is why she's being hurnd and the work she's done with the alliance to bridge a gap to make sure this city in other parts of the city have paying attention to what is needed and what the bayview community deserves. and in particular the bayview alliance which they and folks like chuck accordingly i think so talk about the challenges of

bayview and how they can be supportive and in fact, i'm excited and proud how she's butt equivalent first in their contributions by making sure that in the abatement will transform the your honor, simply waterfront to look better than the marina in the bayview hunters point (clapping.) she could have chosen to focus her attention on some of the other projects were being voekdz for and in other parts of sacrifice but has made a commitment to an abandonment to the organizations part of the bayview hunters point in the cafe train people to work in the hospitalities for kids getting

second chances and this was she didn't talk about i see you at the events i see you fighting for community, i see you long run to the community and making investment on their needs and desires and see that your heart is in the right because placing because about supporting the community and uplifting people so i can so, so many about the boards and commissions about the place and the things that you supported. but i appreciate more than ever in this year's theme the work you've done for really live by the years of the inclusion and equity what that means to be a real advocate and partner in those efforts and the ladies and gentlemen, it is any honor to honor this incredible extraordinary phenomenal woman here today please join me in

celebrating ms. sweig (clapping). >> well, i'm a little bit - just for a minute (laughter). >> but first of all, i want to thank you, (clearing throat) i was taken by surprise for this wonderful honor. and i really so

grateful and appreciate active and thank you all i mean so many friends of mine in the audience when whom i worked so many years with and it would be nice everybody and the honorees (clearing throat) is quite wonderful so thank you. >> as i said i'm honored i'm humbled i have any one of my grandchildren here (clapping.) one of my daughters here susan swig. >> i'm fortunate to have (clapping.) four children four grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren but whose counting.

>> and we love each other as a family and so proud of them and happy i have a couple of representatives here. so i just um, uni was thinking about that honor and it is angle an honor but responsibility this is a responsible for me to be request will to the mayors you have presented and i'm - i thank you for that. i say burn cerebroa family that really experienced it's values. and the permity responsibility as a child and through to today. and the feel so fortunate to have that that

background. i realized as i grew i recognized how fortunate i was to have values (clearing throat) to draw from. and to share with my family. and share with my friends and my colleagues. and my community. giving back was primary. t q which is a phrase some of i'm sure are aware. giving back without exemption of anything in return giving back without exemption of anything in return. and listening, feeling, encouraging and embarrassing and

sharing and always trying to do good to be positive. to look forward. and to practice positivity. practicing positivity. it is responsibility that i know that i share with all of you. and so many others for the in this room. and owe feel so, so fortunate. to have that. and so, so lucky. so i thank you, ma'am mayor. i thank you and thank you and thank you, again. i'm so grateful for all you're doing and continue will do for our city and may you continue to lead us and go from strength to strength. thank

you. (clapping.) >> i'm just going to say it 90 it is new 50 on you (laughter) thank you again and congratulations time. our next honoree this is one of my favorites because city is not only the honored today but i've known her for many, many, many, many years go back back to her days and and legislative aid for is board of supervisors we'll not tell the secrets today but

the next honoring hoourn has been a quiet force in uplifting and supporting community and so in extraordinary ways. she is an attorney. and that's how they makes her living but an attorney that's how she works pro bono extraordinary work for so many merchants in the sunset and chinatown helping to represent over 200 merchants who struggle with the challenges of dealing with the city, who struggle with the um, issues that continue to be programmatic with san francisco and i know this the call comes to me on a registry basis about the chafrjz or challenges of individual businesses and her advocacy kicked in for those businesses and the first thing i do i say

what are you getting paid. >> i go back to my day job i make money it is what i do because i love my community this is what i do because i want my community to succeed and it is not just about representing merchants ann as an attorney but the work she's done with the c w c with the community youth center i think one in the audience that the director that leads the organization and (clapping.) and as board member didn't sit around but raise money for the organization and help to work around the policies that organization can do to be supportive in the community and terrorizing the arms of students to get out there and work harder and to work better and support the communities every

conversation and everything around advocacy has to do with with supporting the community. and as the height of the asian hate that happened in 2022 the city was struggling we looked at ways we could work together as partners and the first organization to raise their hand and work with the folks in the african-american community to provide ambassadors when are cantonese and african-american patrol neighborhoods and environment commission valley and other places it was c y c because of relationship that she had with the community and the relationships she built over the years she wanted to help bridge this gap and protect the community and make significant challenges as a result we've seen in 2023 anti asian hate

crime declines but over 70 percent of the work with that organization to make positive change in communities and she has been a great mentor and i was around and she was around with the organization sf pc was started agency way and my next honoree was around two the thing she went on about her life had a few kids was doing her thing in business but never stopped being a mentor for political women growing up in san francisco and so she's been a mentor, she's been a bridge builder and problem several and focused on how to make things better and usually never said 2023 be recognized and not wanting to be in the for the most part a

behind the scenes person why she is another person who is my honoree and privilege to recognize during the women's history month as a true trailblazer continuing to bridge the gap necessary to promote equity and inclusion in sour city ladies and gentlemen, please welcome her (clapping). >> thank you, mayor london breed. >> um, this award is especially special to me, i'm a native san franciscan i was born and raised her and dedicated here sacred heart law i love the

city and had it stand for and proud london is our mayor, i started volunteering as a teenager and when i was in law school i was pursuing a certificate i got a public utility ward and after a few months of i can't wait i thought approached who became the executive director to join the board she was 20 plus a 10 percent contingency i was 20 some things we knew nothing about the world but wanted to make that better to two 20-year-old with women and 20 years later we're still here, you know, and (clapping.) we grown introduce it organization and super, super proud of the work we started did organization our mainly budget was 800 thousand that is over $20 million now, you know, and a

lot of thanks to our support mayor london breed and around that at the same time i was out of law school was interested in politics and the contributions that women make so i joined the board of the san francisco woman's political committee and at that time i was the only woman of color on the board i spent the next 15 plus years of my life being parts of this organization and make sure that the board members and the membership is rift of alliance and were women serving in all capabilities and i'm proud of the work the organization is doing today. and then in 2020 i was recruited by rose and others to join the boards and which is a part we build over 60 years

ago. so i'm fortunate to have a professional career as an attorney that allows my the extra time for the community work but perhaps to think i'm the most proud of the my children at home. so my daughter elli which he she was the first one they did a project at school when i grew up i want to be some people want to be a firefighter or a cook or a nurse. and elli says had i grew up i want to be a mom and her teacher like that's not a real job and elli said have you met my mom? she's this and that and she's right because at woman our job description or job not one word or one line like we can everything and everything we do

and, you know, and besides been strong women we need strong men so support strong women (laughter.) >> (clapping) >> so my theme this year for his u.s. government class can pick any topic to talk about for his project which is the entire grade and as a 17 year-old boy he choose women in government and explores topics like gender equality the struggles women are getting into government and why women make government better so i'm very, very proud of both of my children and finally, want to thank my parents for currently me and always supporting me to push the border through any

children and my children inspiring me to be better and my partner happening son for supporting me and putting up with my hectic schedule and to my community friends and any mentors that i have the honor to work with everyday together to make arch community better and thank you very much. for your time (clapping). >>. thank you. >> okay. >> our next honoree also have a very long personal relationship with. and in fact, all of the jobs he and i go back like uc davis days she is a little bit older than me and started her career working in san francisco for form san

francisco mayor willie brown her sister was still in college with me and uc davis i came to san francisco he start internship and running around the young people's circle worked with willie brown and paula was one of the persons was a great friend had a lot of fun with but the thing i remember in the matter what has happened about the business of supporting her community and supporting people in san francisco. and so today, i want to honor her because of her commitment to that and also, because of her heart and her love for community and her desire to always think about ways to bridge gaps and bring people together in the matter professional vip was a funny event but a networking event and

an opportunity to bring people together and bam became so popper paula had to limit the numbers of guests and more importantly that was the most sought out place for the applies because of one of the most fun but also one of the most engaging. but paulas work i want to take us to a time after 9-1-1 when paula was working with then willie brown and the discrimination in the community in people we're their jobs and all of a sudden at a young age she became this is very involved community advocate working with folks to help dispel the moisture and issues that came up offer that very, very difficult

time working with the number of our manitowoc around san francisco to help to educate us people that work with city government didn't understand helping to educate us own what this means and what was happening in the community and how we can being supportive that work continues throughout the years with her involvement in the inter council and the interface council has done wonderful work they started a shelter program to help to house people but that the bridge builder arrest uniting people based on our faith and spiritual bond a connector this is her work her entire life trying to support people coming together and who is believer supporting

women is he served as board member for merge california that is an organization that trains democratic women to run for office i was trained in the program our state controllers colorado and our former mayor of oakland so many women have went on to win offers and become leaders in country and paula made that happen and also continued in light of what happened with the division and how the in california the right to healthcare for women's rights to choose in the constitution we know not the case in outside states and here in san francisco we created an organization that paula went further and became

involved in reproof freedom for all for support for all women throughout the country they never have to choose between our health and making the wrong decisions they're able to have the district of their doctor in a place they feel safe (clapping.) and don't work with the democratic national committee and stays involved in using they are political eastern to advocate for the greater good of other people and bridging the gaps between the communities and never wavered in the commitment and has been consist and engaged and last but not least i want to say her extraordinary work as a commissioner for the human rights commission has been really grouk and continuing to

push the envelope in the challenging time in san francisco. whether it was the movement around black history month and anti asian hate and other issues that continue to come up she's used is implemented of that office to make the human rights commission what is needed to help to combat the challenging times and for your leadership and courage for your consistency and love of people and bringing people together today, we honoree paula for women's history month. >> (clapping). >> greetings everyone.

>> thank you mayor london breed and um, we do go back and i'm to start to cry. we do go a way back so thank you for your honor and many of you, you behind the scenes and don't feel comfortable but grateful and thank you, director for her love and leadership one of my closest friends pushing helping all the diverse community and president peskin and one of my closest friends thank you for being here and so many others and again. thank you very much. mayor london breed i am grateful and humble. greetings everyone. today as we come together for women's history month under the holy month of ram done i accept

the award for the women who have had diverse and climate action plan and singling out women leaders have and i pictured to like swig like others and like suzy thompson and other women leaders have put us into movement to do the work we do. it has been an honor to work with most of you in our community whether building housing or small businesses and economic opportunities or fighting against racism. and anti-semistism and to fight for security of one million dollars with productive freedom for all

public safety and hard working to secure our places of whip worship we're uniquely situations representing diversity consistency we must confront the harsh reality of those surfing here and abroad to the streets of gaza countless men and women are enduring pain and hardship and among them my palestinian family members. over one hundred people have been killed mostly woman and children and now my surviving family is faxing the dire constructs of war and dep practitioner by lacking of much needed medication and their fight is a

stark reminder injustice globally and co-sponsor rat scott king is trouble is never an ending process and freedom is never really won you earn it and win it. and in every generations accepting this award is not merely a gesture of gratitude i have to take this (crying) to continue advocateing for the functional rights of voicesless and mar listed in all the streets. today, i stand before you with a heavy heart. working knowing that many like paula other paulas will never have the

opportunity to stand on this stage. they're absent should fuel our determination our collective determination to fight for justice and implication for all. as we celebrate this women's history month we must not forget those who are denied the basic necessities of life but life lifetime up our voices to end the surviving as women in action, and faith in action i call upon you will have us to unite in solid indict and end the wars caused by conflict it is imperfect we prioritize peace and humanitarian needs over violence and destruction let's create a world where everyone

woman and child can live with security each think of you know what i've fought for as an immigrant that lives the american dream i can't live it when people don't have it thank you for this humbling honor and hoping to join me in eastern the freedom for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters around the globe to have a more just and better place for all thank you and god bless you (clapping). >>. thank you. >> paula for your passionate and heartfelt words. and our final honoree today it always

someone that i've known a long time clearly a theme here. these extraordinary women who have done extraordinary things and in particular taking a minute to come down from paul i can'ts words i know your heart paul i can't i present you. >> thank you for sharing with us today. i'm so this next honoree connie chang i met during the time where she served as a commissioner informs treasure island development expiration i thought the commission secretary and i was quieted then a little bit; right? inside i was talking but outside i was quiet when i predator about claudine she again is another person that has

been consistent in her work and her advocacy what she cares about and believes in back then as member of treasure island development authority commission is pushed for opportunity and wanted to make sure that island when was the hot commodity and people starting it pay attention that it wasn't just going to be a place for those who could afford it is a lot of her work in advocate is relevant today, she served on the san francisco of the president of apa heritage fountains she used as a vehicle to start apa heritage month during the month of may in san francisco and that event has been extraordinary. not just for

the api community of san francisco but for san francisco as a destination for people who come here in the month of may to participate in kamth a film festival celebrating api stories through affirm the san francisco asian art museum we hope a number of events and activities a commemorative stamp on here in san francisco we judge did the year of the dragon not to long ago the post master general asked for a donations to unveil the stamp because of significance not just a seniors during the month of may how they slaeshtd apa heritage month in san francisco to tell the story. to recognize the community and to celebrate the history and the culture of the asian community

of san francisco in the bay. but again taking this opportunity to use her voice as a way to bridge a gap during again, the height of the italy asian hate in san francisco in 2022 and making a very intentional choice to use apa to bring the black and asian community together for culture through the celebration the events through activities and through the ability to recognize that we are stronger when we are together and when we recognize and celebrate our differences and learn from one another she's been consistent in her work in bridging that gap and creating and space for people to be seen

a space for people to be slaebt and supported i want to recognize a lot of the other work she does with the commonwealth club of san francisco and the work she continues to do to support japantown and one of the ways we work together and during my time of the board of supervisors and really not just being the attorney to represent the organization but also being the advocate for the things needed to help to support and transform that community another way that she's been a bridge builder i want to appreciate her work with chinatown community development and advisory role with the north beach inner community a trailer

blazer for the api around the arts and culture more importantly using every platform to develop relationships to constituent community and to uplift othpeople. and that's why we are honoring this extraordinary woman claudia chang for is all she's done and continue to do to be an amazing supervision in san francisco not just for the api communities but all communities that recognize the needs for us to bridge gaps and build on equity and inclusion in san francisco to ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming claudine chang. >> (clapping). >> thank you, mayor london

breed. >> in that a great honor and humbling especially in the presence of my fellow honorees and many of i i'd like to get to you know but so many generations thank you for your work. >> (clapping) whether i was listening to the amazing work that all the other honorees are done and continue to do um, this got me to think about how i got here today, i came from law school in 1981 and didn't know anybody no idea the difference of different we're talking about i have no idea how to meet equity and inclusion no

idea. um, but i'm very lucky and been fortunate over the years i have met so many amazing people many are here today and show me the way that impress me everybody can do something. i remember having met my francisco carol very, very early on a celebration our and while as is leader how she moved and pushed for women's right the organizations that to fight for asian asian american pacific islanders and many others um, mary and i feel like very lucky be in an environment that meets opportunity i think we talk about the american dream sounds like like a cliche but a

positive i feel that if your >> be able to do things together. i really want to thank mayor breed for encouraging us to also every year now launching the celebration of lunar new year and black history. month. it was a great example wh i talk to my friends around the country and other cities they do things like that. they say ayou can do that? i appreciate the partnership with the san francisco public library and librarian michael lambert was here with human rights commission. cheryl davis--thank you. this is-i just feel that sometimes maybe i'm jaded in the sense that, i don't think we can ever say we can

anti-asian hate and fix this thing called inequity or bias and make sure everybody is included but i think we can take small steps. i think i experience it and firmly believe in it and i know it is not one person can do. i think all it the honorees agree with me. it takes a community. it takes many people of like-minds and--who may not somewhere seeng it to also work together. it is really a big collective effort that we how we make things work in this city, right? so, i think that it is so important and it inspiring for me to definitely to continue with my work and do more with you, mayor breed and all your honorees and all of you out there, because that is something we can do together. we may not have thought about what it is, but i think that when opportunity knocks like mayor said, when there is a

opportunity knocks let's take advantage of it. i don't think the work opportunity is such a bad word. if we don't take opportunity, if we don't take advantage of the platform and resources we can pull together, what can we do on our own? community we will honor. this is amazing. we are surrounded by people and resources and things and that gives me hope and why i'm so proud being a san franciscans. i adopted san francisco as my hope and want to thank mayor breed and all of you for supporting the work we are do. thank you. [applause] >> see, this is why these women were picked! amazing. let's give them a big round of applause! [applause] it is not over.

we are going to invite all of you to the international room in the mayor's office for some light bites and drinks and just to say congratulations and give your honoree you are here to say hello today, some love and some hugs. we appreciate all you joing us here today, because as you can see, not just from their work, but from the words that they spoke today, how incredible these women are. how extraordinary they are, and how this is not the end of their chapter. this is work they have always done and will always continue to do to be a blessing in san francisco in terms of taking care of people, supporting and uplifting folks and please let them serve as a source of inspiration for all of us to want to do even more to transform the lives of people through our work, through our

deeds and through our hearts. thank you all so much for joining us here today. [applause]

>> good morning everybody! [applause] good morning. [applause] and welcome. [applause] there's my grandma. well come. welcome to san francisco james r herman cruz terminal at pier 2