无忧视频

Gamiz Is Woman of the Year

无忧视频 Director of聽Community Engagement Gabriela Gamiz was one of those honored by U.S. Congressional Representative Judy Chu (CA鈥�27) during the annual Women of the Year Awards to honor local women in the San Gabriel Valley who have contributed to the community through service, organizing or leadership.

鈥淚t was an incredible ceremony,鈥� says Gamiz, who was one of 11 women recognized at the event April 14. 鈥淚 loved meeting and hearing life stories from wonderful women in our local communities who are change agents and contributors to making our communities a better place.鈥�

Gamiz and the other recipients鈥攊ncluding volunteers, community activists, school board members and civil-rights activists鈥攚ere nominated by constituents of their respective cities for their contributions to the district. Gamiz (representing Claremont) received seven nomination letters, more than any nominee had received in the event鈥檚 nine-year history.

Since joining the staff at Harvey Mudd in 1995, Gamiz has held a variety of positions, including directing the Upward Bound program and serving as administrator for Homework Hotline. Gamiz says she is guided by a personal mission, 鈥渢o listen to and work with community members to nurture and grow native leaders who then take ownership and leadership of programs, services and initiatives that bring resources to our community.鈥�

A first-generation college student herself, Gamiz finds fulfillment in working to improve the experience of people in similar situations through programs like the Upward Bound Math and Science Center. 鈥淎s a daughter of immigrant parents, whose first language was not English, I saw each family鈥檚 life story as my life story,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t meant a lot to me to share my story and encourage other students who faced similar situations to continue their educational journey despite adversities.鈥�

Given Gamiz鈥檚 passion for her work, it鈥檚 no surprise that more than the usual amount of award nominations were submitted on her behalf.

鈥淩eceiving the award was a double special honor because I found out that a group of HMC alumnae wrote letters of nomination, some of which Congresswoman Chu read,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am humbled,聽honored and inspired.鈥�