[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E348-E349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING LISA DIAZ-McQUAID AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa 
Diaz-McQuaid, whom I have named the 2022 Woman of the Year in Sonoma 
County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made 
important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in 
Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and 
Innovation or Community Service.
  Ms. Diaz-McQuaid was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. She 
is a survivor of human trafficking and has been committed to helping 
human trafficking victims. In 2018, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid co-founded the 
Redemption House of the Bay Area, a non-profit organization based in 
Sonoma County that helps victims of human trafficking reclaim their 
lives. Ms. Diaz-McQuaid is currently a student at Santa Rosa Junior 
College, working toward three associate degrees in human services, 
advocacy and addiction studies.
  Ms. Diaz-McQuaid has dedicated her life to supporting human 
trafficking victims, She is a member of the Sonoma County Human 
Trafficking Task Force, an advocate in the Missing Murdered Indigenous 
Women movement, and the co-facilitator of the first peer-lead human 
trafficking victims support group in Sonoma County. Ms. Diaz-McQuaid is 
also a team leader of a monthly street outreach program that helps 
human trafficking victims leave their abusers.
  Furthermore, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid participates in community activities 
that support at-risk youth and recovering addicts. She mentors youth 
survivors of human trafficking and works at the Girls Circle of Valley 
of the Moon, an emergency shelter center for children who are unsafe 
with their parents or guardians.

[[Page E349]]

  After graduating from Santa Rosa Junior College, Ms. Diaz-McQuaid 
hopes to transfer to Sonoma State University to earn a bachelor's 
degree in sociology and eventually earn a master's degree in social 
work. On top of being an outstanding community member and student, Ms. 
Diaz-Mctjuaid is a mother and grandmother. She has three adult 
children, Gabriella, Anthony and Josephine Hall, and five 
grandchildren, Maya, Carmello, Jayvion, Millianna, and Dream.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Lisa Diaz-McQuaid has devoted her 
life to helping and supporting vulnerable individuals in our community. 
Therefore. it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

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