In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month 2022, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) honored local Northeast San Fernando Valley leaders during an inaugural “Valley Luchadores” awards ceremony held in Panorama City.
The six honorees, whose biographies were submitted into the Congressional Record, received awards and Certificates of Congressional Recognition.
“This Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to honor six community leaders who truly encompass the spirit of Valley Luchadores,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “From beloved artists and performers to grassroots leaders and engineers, these honorees are fighting day in and day out to empower and uplift our Northeast San Fernando Valley community. Their individual accomplishments deserve to be celebrated, and I’m proud to honor these hometown heroes.”
The following people were honored:
— Danny Trejo, actor;
— Evelyn Cortez-Davis, a civil engineer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power with over 25 years of experience in the water industry;
— Margaret “Mar” Diego, co-owner and operator of “Dough Girl,” a small business pizzeria that employs formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals;
— Veronica Padilla-Campos, executive director of Pacoima Beautiful, a grassroots environmental justice organization that works to promote a healthy and sustainable San Fernando Valley;
— Corinne Sanchez, president and CEO of El Proyecto del Barrio, a nonprofit and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), that provides health and human services to communities with underserved populations; and,
— Kristy Sandoval, Los Angeles-based self-taught artist from Pacoima whose murals have put the City of Los Angeles’ art on the map.