"[Our] greatest achievement is allowing women to go where [they're] celebrated, not just tolerated...bridging the gap between different generations through our service."

Gloria Lazalde is a distinguished community organizer, manager, and altruist. In 2005, she founded the "Celebrando Nuestras Madres" annual event to honor the lives of both her late mother and her sister. The event honors mothers that, due to hardship, would not otherwise be able to celebrate Mother's Day. Women from all walks of life come together to honor their mutual achievements as mothers. Since its inaugural year, Celebrando Nuestras Madres has treated over one thousand women to a day of celebration and recognition. Through this annual event, Mrs. Lazalde remains committed to her initial mission: to motivate, inspire, and empower women and acknowledge the contributions they continuously make to their families and their communities at large.

"The human spirit is so strong and can survive so many things; we want everyone to feel empowered to take action in their own life."

For the past ten years, Lisa Watson has been the head of the Downtown Women's Center (DWC), a nationally recognized model program for women living in extreme poverty on Los Angeles' Skid Row. During that time, Watson has initiated new programs, increased the organization's capacity, and developed strategic partnerships to meet the dramatic rise in women's homelessness. Most recently, Watson led the development of the new home of the DWC, moving to a 67,000-square foot building made possible by a $35 million dollar capital campaign and over 1800 volunteers. In addition to spurring a 75% growth in the capacity of DWC's essential drop-in Day Center and its permanent supportive Residence programs, the advent of a new home will facilitate the launch of both the first medical and mental health centers for women on Skid Row.