[Editor’s Note: Mr. Price is a Los Angeles City Councilman in what he calls the New Ninth District.] 

Dateline South Los Angeles — I am announcing the selection of 20 remarkable women from the New Ninth District of South Los Angeles as this year’s SHero honorees.

I began this tradition while I was in the state Assembly. I continued as a state senator, and now I bring this to the Los Angeles City Council District 9.

This gives us a chance to honor the commitment and dedication of the powerful women who create so much positive change in our community, and often are not thanked enough.

Nominated by their co-workers, neighbors and friends, these women are helping to improve our neighborhoods as small business owners, educators, activists and advocates.

The community is invited to attend our 8th annual Tribute to Sheroes Awards Ceremony, Sunday, May 17, at 1 o’clock, in the ballroom of the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles. Cocktail attire is suggested.

Pat Prescott, disc jockey from the Wave, 94.7 FM, Araceli Campos, president of the City of Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women, and special performances from Get Lit -Words Ignite and Trio Ellas.

Honorees are:

Irma Avila 
Community resident/health promoter with Para Los Ninos. 

Julia Botello 
Community resident, ACCE member 

Vivian Bowers-Cowan
Business owner– Bowers & Sons Cleaners 

Cheryl Branch 
CEO,  Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches 

Brenda Garcia
Educator at Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy 

Gabriela Garcia
Community organizer , SAJE 

Alyson Goodall
Vice President of Development, California Science Center Foundation 

Guisela Gutierrez 
Psychiatric social worker, San Pedro Street Elementary 
Trinity Moms for Action 

Clelian (Betty) Irizarry
Community resident /active volunteer at Avalon Gardens 

Norvell Lewis 
Community resident , founder, Non-Profit Gods Lil Cleaners 

Elizabeth Martinez
Active community resident

Noreen McClendon
Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles 

Maria Parga
Community resident 

Sonia Rodriguez
Member of the Avalon Green Alley Green Team 

Alicia Sanchez
Community resident, campus aide, Orthopedic High School 

Martha Sanchez 
Community resident, member of the South Central Neighborhood Council

Yvonne Styles, Ph.D. 
Senior Director of Counseling Services & Staff Development  , A Place Called Home 

Inell Woods
Community Resident 

Noemi Soto 
Youth Development Director, CRCD 

Jessica Vielmas 
Community resident, Union Bank banker  

Honorees include women from across the District and they are reflective of the diverse backgrounds our unique community exemplifies. For more information about the SHero Awards Ceremony call Nora Gutierrez at 323.846.2651 or via email at nora.gutierrez@lacity.org