Women of Distinction Luncheon

Women of Distinction Luncheon

Women of Distinction Luncheon – March 21, 2025

Supervisor Jose Medina proudly hosted the annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 21, 2025, at the Riverside Marriott in Downtown Riverside. The event honored ten exceptional women from Riverside County’s First Supervisorial District, celebrating their leadership, service, and profound impact on their communities.

Each honoree was recognized for her unwavering commitment to public service, education, equity, and community empowerment. The luncheon brought together community members, local leaders, and families to acknowledge and celebrate the meaningful accomplishments of these trailblazing women.

Keynote Speaker

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Anne Irwin Anne Irwin is the Founder and Director of Smart Justice California, where she works to elect and educate policymakers who support meaningful criminal justice reform that promotes safety, fairness, and healthy communities. She also serves as Vice President of the JK Irwin Foundation, a family foundation focused on ending mass incarceration and criminalization.

Prior to founding Smart Justice California, she was a trial attorney in the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, representing indigent criminal defendants facing a variety of misdemeanor and felony charges.

Anne earned her law degree from Stanford Law School and her bachelor’s degree from New York University. She serves on the Advisory Board for The Justice Collaborative.

Her powerful remarks during the luncheon reflected on the role of women in advocacy and public leadership, the importance of equity in justice systems, and how community-centered leadership transforms lives.

Woman of the Year

Melva Cooke Melva Cooke has dedicated her life to education, mentorship, and community service. A graduate of Fisk University with a master’s degree from UCLA, she pursued additional studies at institutions including Oxford University, UC Riverside, and Cal State San Bernardino. With a career spanning decade, she served as a teacher, counselor, and guidance coordinator, making a lasting impact at Rubidoux High School, Colton Unified School District, and Sherman Indian School. She also worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Teacher Advisor.

Beyond the classroom, Melva was deeply involved in her community, serving for over 10 years on the board of the Janet Goeske Foundation, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of those 50 and older through advocacy and wellness programs. She is the widow of the late Ledford Cooke, a proud mother of three sons, and a loving grandmother to twin grandsons. Her lifelong commitment to education and community service continues to inspire generations.

2025 Women of Distinction Honorees

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• Luz Gallegos – Executive Director of TODEC Legal Center, Luz Gallegos is a lifelong advocate for immigrant communities in the Inland Empire. 
• Sammie Luna – Moreno Valley Unified School Board President and environmental commissioner, longtime public servant and advocate for education.
• Lisa Matus – After a personal tragedy, became an advocate for justice reform.
• Rose Mayes – Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, civil rights advocate and community leader.
• Reverend Jane Quandt – Retired minister and social justice advocate, recognized for sanctuary work, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and public health efforts.
• Vonya Quarles – Attorney and housing justice leader, founder of Starting Over Inc. and advocate for formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Carmen Roberts – Co-founder of the Black History Parade, longtime public servant, and youth empowerment leader.
• Rabbi Suzanne Singer – Retired Temple Beth El Rabbi and social justice voice, recognized for decades of public service and faith leadership.
• Dr. Deborah Wong – UC Riverside Professor Emerita, ethnomusicologist, author, and community media advocate.

Supervisor Medina shared his appreciation for all the honorees and thanked attendees for uplifting the incredible work of women in our region:

“These women represent the best of our communities. They are educators, advocates, spiritual leaders, and public servants—each working to build a more just, equitable, and compassionate Riverside County. It was an honor to recognize their achievements.”

The Women of Distinction Luncheon continues to highlight the importance of inclusive leadership and the countless ways women contribute to building strong, healthy, and thriving communities.  

For More Photos: Photos  | Photography by Carlos Puma

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