The Year

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, each year, I have the privilege of honoring women on the Central Coast who have made a meaningful impact in our community through the Women of the Year Award. This year, it is my pleasure to recognize JoAnne Meade Young of Santa Barbara, California, for her outstanding contributions to education and community leadership.

JoAnne's lifelong commitment to educational equity was shaped early in life. Born on February 11, 1946, she attended a segregated two-room Catholic school--an experience that profoundly influenced her dedication to ensuring that low-income children, children of color, and students with learning disabilities received equitable access to learning and support.

JoAnne began her career in Ohio, where she served in Title 1 schools as a Primary Language Development Specialist and later as a Library Media Specialist. Her talent for instructional leadership led her to Middletown, Connecticut, where she became an Instructional Consultant responsible for diagnostic testing and monitoring literacy and math programs. In 1987, JoAnne made history as the first Black principal in the Hamden Connecticut School District.

After relocating to Santa Barbara in 1990, JoAnne once again broke barriers, becoming the first Black principal in Santa Barbara County when she was appointed principal of Mountain View School in Goleta. Over the next 17 years, she served as principal of Brandon, El Rancho, and Ellwood Schools and directed the Goleta State Preschool. Throughout her career, JoAnne centered the well-being and success of all students. She introduced innovative enrichment opportunities--including drumming circles, swing dancing, and visiting artist programs--and organized a Spring Sing performance at UCSB's Campbell Hall that brought together hundreds of students and families.

Following her retirement in 2007, JoAnne continued her public service by directing the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee, co-founding the Santa Barbara Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, and serving on the board of the Family Service Agency. She remains a dedicated community leader through her work with Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County where she is Treasurer and Tri-Chair of Membership & Community Engagement, and she represents District 2 as a Commissioner for Women.

In 2024, she was elected to the Democratic Central Committee for District 2 and was honored as Women of the Year by California State Senator Monique Limon.

It is with great pride that I honor JoAnne Meade Young as a 2025 Woman of the Year for her exceptional leadership, her steadfast advocacy for educational equity, and her lasting impact on the Santa Barbara community. Her work has enriched generations of students and continues to strengthen the Central Coast.

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