Inland Empire Women Named “Women of Distinction” by Breeanna Jent - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Inland Empire Women Named “Women of Distinction”

By Breeanna Jent, Staff Writer
July 1, 2014 at 12:11pm. Views: 181

Over 70 Inland Empire women from the 23rd State Senate District were honored for their community work and service by state Sen. Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, in the 10th Annual Women of Distinction Ceremony and Dinner June 20 at the National Orange Show, where they received their accolades to a group of over 350 guests. This year’s awardees joined the ranks of over 500 of Inland Empire women recognized over the last decade for their service and demonstration of commitment to their communities and have been named a “Woman of Distinction.” Awardees are nominated by business leaders, past winners, members of the public and fellow volunteers. Sen. Morrell shared, “These women are making a huge difference in our region. I admire them for their selfless service and humility. They don’t ask for much in return and don’t seek recognition for their work. However, we can always say ‘Thank you.’ This award is one small way we can do that.” Loma Linda’s Susan Zador, founder of the nonprofit organization “Visiting the Lonely Ones,” which serves nursing home residents, was highlighted during this year’s ceremony. The Friday evening ceremony also honored Highland resident Christina Milian, a breast cancer survivor, with the creation of the “Christina Milian Inspirational Scholarship,” which will benefit female trade school students whose families have been affected by cancer. So far, this fund has raised $6,000, money which will be used to award scholarships at future Women of Distinction events. “I’m trying to put out there what won’t die, something that will live on, and now I think it will, because (the scholarship) is annual,” Milian told the City News. Milian, who in June 2008 was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease, said that through her fight, she has made it a point to create lasting memories. “You have to live your life, because if you don’t then you’re not really living at all,” she said. Sen. Morrell closed the event with this sentiment: “Year after year, I find it incredibly encouraging and moving to see the accomplishments of the women we honor. America’s greatness comes from her people, those that go out of their way to better their community and help their neighbor. These women not only live up to that ideal, they exceed it. They set extraordinary examples for all of us to follow.” Honorees from the cities of Loma Linda, Redlands and San Bernardino are as follows: * Susan Zador, Loma Linda * Tonja Blankenship, Redlands * Teresa Frausto, Redlands * Elizabeth Locke‐Thomas, Redlands * Christina Milian, Redlands * Rose Palmer, Redlands * Melanie Sherif, Redlands * Deirdre Thomas, Redlands * Tera Bisbee San Bernardino * Lizzy Brown, San Bernardino * Claudia Estrada, San Bernardino * Deborah Flores, San Bernardino * Kimberly Foglio‐Walden, San Bernardino * Eva Kirsch, San Bernardino * Tammy Martin-Ryles, San Bernardino * Michelle A. Rainer, San Bernardino * Donna Rantz, San Bernardino * Roseanna Ruiz, San Bernardino * Pat Van Dam, San Bernardino * Tracy Wise, San Bernardino The honorees also included Highland resident Cheryl Meis, a registered nurse who works at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Colton.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 757

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1290

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 2753

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 827

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1693

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 755

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 815

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1974

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 872

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 680

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 960

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 866

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->