March is National Woman's History Month, and in Campbell, woman's suffrage and daily battles were honored Monday with the presentation of the second-annual Campbell Women of Distinction award.
Five local women were recognized for their local contributions and leadership within the community.
Linda Ankeny, Laura Champion, Joan Goddard, Adrienne Grey and Charlene "Char" Silva were all recipients of this award, given by the city of Campbell in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy.
"This was a chance to take a moment and reflect, what does it mean to be a woman in this day and age," said Councilman Evan Low.
The program for the night described the recipients as follows:
Linda Ankeny, a resident of Campbell since she was 2 years old, was nominated for her devotion to improving health care services to people with cancer, through her professional and volunteer work.
Laura Champion is known for helping others and taking risks to do so. She's spent 28 years helping children in crisis and their families in the community.
Joan Goddard co-founded the Coalition for Equal Pay, bringing awareness to the women's wage gap. Since retiring in 1998, she found out she had breast cancer and has dealt with the experience in stride.
Adrienne Grey is the only woman serving on the West Valley Mission Community College board since her election in 2008. Since then, she has also helped register several thousands new voters in the country.
Charlene "Char" Silva has volunteered with the Campbell Friends of the Library for more than 12 years, at about 60 hours per month. She has become the most valuable and indispensable volunteer the Friends of the Library have ever had.
Although the City Council now is all male, Vice Mayor Michael Kotowski said that not too long ago, it was infused with women who have made huge impacts on the city, including Jane Kennedy, a former councilwoman and mayor.
"We are without women on the council right now," Kotowski said. "Since 1985, there were a lot of women movers and shakers on the council, and I'm honored to have been a witness to this big historical break on what was known as 'the boys club.'"
Mike Wasserman, Santa Clara County supervisor for District 1, presented the awards, along with Campbell Mayor Jason Baker, in front of a full house in the council chambers Monday.
"All the individuals awarded are quite amazing," said Buu Thai, Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy grants coordinator. "They have wonderful backgrounds, but their passion for social justice and community service really highlight why we give this award."
The nomination period for the awards was Feb. 4-28. Twenty women were nominated for 2011.
