They are leaders, mentors, activists, role models and visionaries. They are the women of the EC Women’s Hall of Fame Awards.

Ten distinguished women have their photographs and biographies mounted on the Women’s Wall of Fame this year, said Donna Manno, staff development coordinator.

“We got a really outstanding group of nominations (this year),” Manno said.

Every year during women’s history month, five women from EC and five women from the community are recognized.

Manno said the names on the Women’s Wall of Fame plaque date back to 1997, when the award ceremony began.

One of this year’s award recipients was Marcia Wade, director of human resources at EC.

“It made me feel good,” Wade said about receiving the award. “It was nice to get recognition.”

Wade said she advises employee recruiting, compensation, making sure policies are adhered to by the district and training workers on campus.

Another Women’s Hall of Fame award winner from EC was Ruth Banda-Ralph, coordinator of the First Year Experience, Learning Community Program.

When Banda-Ralph began working at EC, in 2001, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Banda-Ralph then helped EC have free mammograms on campus a few years ago.

“There are a lot of wonderful women here at El Camino College who do incredible work every day, not only here, but in the commuity,” Banda-Ralph said. “So it was an honor to be considered for the award.”

EC’s Women’s Hall of Fame, Manno said, is modeled after the National Women’s History Month Awards, which honors 8 to 10 women each year.

“I think women’s history month probably came out of a sense that there have been great women who have actually contributed tremendously to the spirit of our country and just weren’t recognized,” Manno said.

EC coordinators placed nomination forms on campus, as well as throughout the communities within the EC district.

Women can nominate themselves, or be nominated by others.

The women were judged for professional accomplishments, leadership, mentorship and social, educational or health services, Manno said.

“It really makes you feel good when you are recognized and the acknowledgement of the effort means so much,” Wade said.

The reception for EC’s Women’s Hall of Fame Awards took place Tuesday, March 30.

Other winners from EC were Pamela Fees, business manager; Dawn Reid, director of EOPS/CARE and Luukia Smith, president of the El Camino Classified Employees Union.

“I think it’s important that women are recognized for their accomplishments,” Manno said.

From the community, awards went to Shawna Thurup, senior librarian and reference services supervisor at the Kathy Geissert Civic Center Library in Torrance; Jennifer Obidah, associate professor of urban schooling at UCLA; Robyn McGee, director of the Women’s Center at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills and Jane Harman, U.S. Congresswoman.

“We really try to get different women who come from all walks of life, because everybody has their own claim to fame.” she said