APAPA GSC Hosts Voices of Impact:Women of Distinction Awards Night
Honorees with members of the APAPA GSC Chapter. Photo courtesy: Tia Gemmell Media 2025
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate the month, chapter leaders from the Greater Sacramento Chapter of the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association (APAPA-GSC) recognized four women leaders who have made a difference in the lives of Sacramento residents at its “Voices of Impact: Women of Distinction Awards Night.” The celebration, which also doubled as a fundraising event, recently was held at the APAPA headquarters in Sacramento.
Sharing her own story of inspiration, Governor Newsom’s Appointments Secretary Morgan Carvajal delivered the keynote remarks to elected officials and distinguished guests. Among some of the presenters included Senator Christopher Cabaldon, the first Filipino-American elected to the State Senate, who introduced honoree Quirina Orozco.
“There are so many excellent women leaders in Sacramento and in Northern California so we had to narrow down our list to women who made significant impact in our community,” said Jacqui Nguyen, Solano Community College Trustee and Co-chair of the Voices of Impact event. “From a well-known leader to a former Sacramento Mayoral candidate, our honorees are individuals who are making a positive impact in our Sacramento communities. Congrats to all the amazing honorees!"
Among the honorees who were recognized included:
• Karina Talamantes is the current Vice Mayor for the City of Sacramento and has received the Innovative Leadership Award.
• Quirina Orozco was re-elected to the city of West Sacramento in 2024. As a breast cancer survivor, Quirina has dedicated her career in fighting crime as a deputy district attorney for Sacramento County. Quirino was awarded the Impactful Leadership Award.
• Linda Lui is the outgoing president of the Sacramento Chinese of IndoChina Friendship Association. For the past decade, Linda held the position of president and provided free vegetarian meals to thousands of families in South Sacramento. During COVID, Linda and her board of directors provided free masks to the community. Linda has received the Excellence in Community Outreach Award.
• Dr. Flo Cofer was a mayoral candidate in 2024 when she ran for Sacramento Mayor. Dr. Cofer was also the chair Sacramento Measure U, a sales tax with funds promised to go to underserved communities. Dr. Cofer has received the Rising Star Award.
“Congratulations to our honorees as they have selflessly given back to the community through their dedication and hard work,” said Romer Cristobal, Newsom’s gubernatorial appointee and Co-chair of of the Voices of Impact event. “These women leaders are mothers, sisters, aunts, and pioneers. We celebrate them and their positive contributions to our community. Hats off to them!”
Members of the Greater Sacramento Chapter raised nearly $9,000 which will go toward leadership development and student internship programs.
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APAPA, founded in 2001, has grown into a nationwide organization with chapters across the country, from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. with the national headquarters located in Sacramento. We are a community-based, non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on increasing API leadership and civic engagement at the local, state, and national level through voter registration and education, internships, and civic leadership programs.