Nancie Zimmerman is a rookie on the Contra Costa Commission for Women (CCCW), yet she is already taking on responsibilities. The Moraga resident was appointed member-at-large three months ago and this year is co-chairing the Hall of Fame project, a program that acknowledges women who have enhanced life in Contra Costa County through their careers and/or volunteer activities. Along with her co-chair Joan Silva, she is seeking nominations of local women who have made a difference through their efforts towards equity, innovation, service or achievement in commerce or community outreach.
"The commission is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors," says Judy Carney who was appointed to the CCCW by Gayle Uilkema two years ago. Carney has volunteered in Lafayette in many capacities, including serving as president of the Acalanes Union High School District governing board and on the Lafayette Senior Commission; she was Lafayette's 2008 Citizen of the Year. She owns a rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy center in Lafayette and is particularly interested in women's health care issues. "One of my goals is to raise the awareness among women about resources available to them," she says, "for example, women veterans often do not recognize themselves as eligible for veterans health services."
Carney, who was elected secretary of the CCCW, works on the e-newsletter that is a great source of information for women. Supporting women is also what motivated Zimmerman to join the commission. "A good friend of mine, Phyllis Gordon, approached me," she remembers. Gordon is also a CCCW member and part of a local women's business-networking group Zimmerman belongs to.
"I am at a time in my life when my children are leaving home," she says. "I gave a lot to my community, but also want to reach beyond Moraga. I have been very impressed by the group of women on the commission, and I have been very interested in supporting other women for a long time." For example, she gives a percentage of her sales (she makes jewelry and sells it on Etsy) to women's organizations. "The Hall of Fame is an effort to give visibility to the achievements these women are making, providing a model for other young women and the community. The more women participate in all areas of society, the more everybody benefits," she says.
Anybody can nominate someone; it can be a well-known woman, or an unsung hero. There are seven different nomination categories. Each category needs to have at least three nominees. The categories are: Leadership, Creating Community, Working for Justice, Preserving the Environment, Improving Health Care, Contributing to the Arts, and Innovating in Science/Technology. Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 14. The nomination form is available on the CCCW website at http://www.womenscommission.com/resources/Hall-of-Fame/HOFflyer-2014.pdf.
The names of the nominees will be announced in January 2014, and the Hall of Fame Awards Dinner will be March 20, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord.
The Commission still has room for members-at-large. People interested in working on issues affecting women and girls, like equal pay, girl-on-girl violence or bone health, can send an email to womenscommission@gmail.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA