As the first female Mayor of Salinas and the highest-ranking Latina in the Brown administration at the time of her service, Anna has been a trailblazer for women's right and equal pay for equal work. She received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League for every year she was in the Assembly. She was given an Award of Excellence by the California State Commission on the Status of Women and the Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women. She has been recognized by the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce earning the "Athena" award for her commitment to community service.