Assemblyman Leno Honors Theresa Sparks as California Woman of the Year

Human rights commissioner will be the first transgender woman of the year honored by the state

[OAKLAND, CA] - California will make history on Monday, March 24th as Assemblyman Mark Leno names Human Rights Commissioner Theresa Sparks the Woman of the Year from the 13th Assembly District.

The California State Assembly hosts the Woman of the Year ceremony annually as a way of recognizing outstanding women who have made significant contributions to communities across California. Sparks will be the first transgender woman to receive the honor.

Ms. Sparks was appointed to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission after years of advocacy on behalf of the local community. She served as a founding member of the city's Transgender Civil Rights Implementation Task Force and helped secure an agreement by the San Francisco Police Commission to adopt standards of treatment of transgender people previously recommended by the department's Office of Citizens Complaints. Ms. Sparks additionally became the first transgender woman elected as Chair of the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club.

"Commissioner Sparks is a stellar individual who has been a true trailblazer for our community and I am proud to name her Woman of the Year," Assemblyman Leno said.