SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) today recognized San Bernardino Marsha Olguin as “Woman of the Year” for the 45th Assembly District which he represents and 11 other women leaders from cities in his district.
“It’s my privilege to host this tribute to the women of the 45th Assembly District. This is a small sampling of the many distinguished women in the district. They demonstrate what it means to live a life of service and contribute in a wide array of ways to ensure thriving communities. I thank them all. This year we selected Marsha Olguin as the District 45 Woman of the Year for her “dedication and public service in the city of San Bernardino, including the most vulnerable. Marsha’s compassion and commitment to the community is shared without question and is strengthened by the love from her family and faith.”
The district honorees, in addition to Oguin, were recognized at a luncheon over the weekend. They are:
San Bernardino
Marsha Olguin, 2026 District 45 Woman of the Year
Marsha is the Director of Mary’s Table and oversees all food distribution and outreach services to the homeless. She began her tenure with Mary’s Haven. After a few years, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Mary’s Table and then Director.
Olguin is a native of the City of San Bernardino and has close community ties. Olguin also served as a payroll/personnel specialist for the County of San Bernardino for 18 years. She is a catechism teacher for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for 20 years. When asked about her love for Mary’s Mercy Center, Marsha responded, “I have come across a lot of good people who have helped us build Mary’s Table. We have been blessed to have volunteers from local schools, Juvenile Probation, Superior Court Community Service and colleges that host clients for the homeless.”
Daisy Esparza
Daisy Esparza graduated as a first-generation college student in 2016 from California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) with a B.A. in Sociology and completed her internship at the Children’s Center of CSUSB. While earning her BA, she initiated her career with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) as a Student Worker. Esparza’s former role with SBCSS was serving at-promise youth within the Student Services Branch, particularly with the Independent Studies and Alternative Education Programs. Esparza was promoted to the SBCSS Children Deserve Success Homeless Education Department as the Homeless Education Program Technician where she was soon promoted to a Homeless Education Program Specialist. Ms. Esparza is an innovator in every sense of the word. Innovation and community engagement are among the many strengths that Esparza possesses. She is noted for a calming presence that draws youth in. Esparza continues to develop systems and strategies that allow the Children Deserve Success team and community partners to truly serve youth and families experiencing homelessness and youth experiencing foster care throughout the County of San Bernardino.
From Rialto
Shelia Futch
Sheila “Umbaji” Futch is a volunteer in the San Bernardino and Rialto communities. She is recognized for her passion for mentorship, leadership development, and empowering young voices. Through youth programs and community initiatives, she continues to inspire the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose. Sheila currently serves as the student coordinator for the 16th Annual Rialto Toastmasters Youth Leadership Speech Contest. Futch volunteered with the Summer LOVE Project – “Building Future Leaders,” and volunteers with the San Bernardino Valley College Umoja-Tumanini program during its annual Kwanzaa celebration, promoting culture, unity, and community pride. At Bob Murphy Community Day School, Futch was an avid supporter of The Brightest Star, Inc. “Leader in Me” program, and helped students overcome their fear of public speaking. She still volunteers at Bob Murphy, mentoring students with their presentations. Futch was recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” by the Sankofa Magnet School Program. She is a United States Air Force veteran, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting from the University of Phoenix, and is a State of California retiree who now works part-time as a substitute teacher. Futch enjoys family time and traveling with her husband, Stan Amiri Futch.
Juanita Chan-Roden
Juanita Chan-Roden has served the Rialto community for 23 years. Her background is in entomology and plant vector pathogen epidemiology, curriculum and instruction, and she is currently working on a doctorate in systems change and organizational leadership. Chan-Roden taught at both elementary and secondary levels and led the Green Ribbon Schools initiative, earning Rialto Unified state and national recognition. She continues to support statewide legislative action and advocates for school gardens, and statewide funding for math, science, and computer science programs. Chan-Roden served on multiple steering committees for statewide teacher resources and has published articles for multiple educational journals. She is passionate about inspiring wonder and curiosity about the natural world by developing curricula, organizing STEM learning events, and illustrating that the environment provides a real-world context for all subjects. Chan-Roden believes that K–12 schools are the unit of change that can invigorate communities. Throughout her career, she has worked to convert more than 5 acres of playground space into food forests, combating local food insecurity. She partners with local industries to build an educational network that strengthens the local economy.
From Fontana
Samantha Moreno
Samantha Haylee Moreno is the CEO and Founder of Thundar, Lightning & Peace (ThundarLP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization she established in 2021 at 16 years old with a mission of Aiding Veterans with Trauma. Moreno created ThundarLP as a grassroots movement dedicated to building community, restoring dignity, and providing support and resources to all veterans. Since its founding, ThundarLP has impacted hundreds of veterans across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles regions through community events, outreach initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations. While leading ThundarLP, Moreno has simultaneously pursued her pre-medical studies at University of California, Berkeley. She will be earning her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Metabolism Biology this May. Moreno’s goal is to attend Medical School locally and serve veterans, ultimately opening her own clinic dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare and resources for the veteran community. As she prepares for the MCAT and continues expanding the impact of ThundarLP, Moreno remains deeply grateful for the community that has empowered and supported her along the way and is committed to continuing to serve veterans with compassion, dedication, and action.
Corporal Kaite Clark
Kathryn (Katie) Clark was born and raised in the City of Fontana in 1980. She started working for the City of Fontana with the Community Services Department in 1996. In 2007, she joined the Fontana Police Department and attended the 169th Academy class with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, earning the Tactical Officers Award. After completing field training, she served on Patrol assigned to the weekend graveyard shift team. Katie then was assigned to the Multiple Enforcement Team where she worked as a Bicycle Patrol Officer and undercover Vice Operations. She later returned to Patrol where she continued to work the weekend graveyard shift and became a Field Training Officer. Her collateral duties included being a mentor to new hires, being a member of the department Recruiting Team and working on the Major Accident Investigation Team. Clark continues to serve as a member of the Department Honor Guard Team. In 2016, she was promoted to Corporal. She worked on patrol then was assigned to the Detective Bureau. Clark was later assigned to the department’s first ever Cold Case Homicide Detective and was assigned to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Homicide Task Force and served on the Cold Case Homicide Task Force.
From Highland
Melissa Morgan
Melissa Morgan serves as the Public Services Manager for the City of Highland, where she oversees the Public Services and Volunteer Services Division within the Public Works Department. Since joining the city in 2004, Melissa has played a key role in strengthening community programs and enhancing the quality of life for residents through responsive public services and meaningful community engagement. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, providing her with a strong foundation in public service and municipal operations. She is deeply passionate about serving the community and is known for her dedication to providing exceptional customer service. Whether organizing a community clean-up event, coordinating volunteer efforts, or helping resolve issues with trash collection, Morgan approaches every interaction with a commitment to responsiveness, collaboration, and community care. Her work reflects a genuine dedication to making local government accessible, effective, and supportive for all residents.
Caitlin Cifuentes
At 25 years old, Cifuentes is a dedicated community leader who was born and raised in San Bernardino County. As a three-sport student-athlete in high school, she distinguished herself in boxing, earning both Gold and Silver State Championship titles. She went on to receive a full-ride scholarship in softball to pursue her academic and athletic career at El Paso Community College, before transferring to Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) to complete her degree while continuing to compete in athletics. Cifuentes earned her Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies and later obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Sociology, graduating with high honors and recognition on the Dean’s List. Following graduation, Cifuentes has remained deeply committed to serving Highland, California, and the greater San Bernardino County community. She currently serves with a community-based organization partnering with San Bernardino County Probation, where she works closely with youth at Central and ARISE Juvenile Detention and Assessment Centers. Cifuentes is actively involved as a director, manager, and youth advocate with Highlanders Boxing Club and Iron Youth Services. Through these roles, she provides mentorship, social and emotional support, and structured fitness programming to young people—particularly those from minority backgrounds, low-income communities, and youth facing mental health challenges.
From Redlands
Edwina Thomas
Edwina Thomas is a passionate community leader, advocate, and Program Coordinator with Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, where she leads initiatives that empower youth and strengthen families across San Bernardino County. Through her work in schools, juvenile hall, and community-based programs, she provides trauma-informed support, mentorship, and culturally responsive parenting education designed to help individuals overcome adversity and build brighter futures. Born in Compton and raised by a resilient single mother, Thomas developed a deep understanding of the challenges many families face and a lifelong commitment to service. Her lived experiences fuel her mission to create safe spaces where youth and parents can heal, grow, and thrive. In addition to her work in community intervention and behavioral health programming, Thomas is the founder of Yummy Snacks Treats and Goodies, an award-winning, Black woman-owned business that combines entrepreneurship with service by giving back to underserved communities throughout the Inland Empire. Through her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to others, Edwina Thomas continues to inspire change, uplift her community, and create pathways of hope for the next generation.
Nora Pulskamp
Nóra Pulskamp, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, has dedicated her career to advancing Native higher education and cultural empowerment. She holds the distinction of serving as the first Tribal Liaison at the University of Redlands, where she is also the Director of Native Student Programs. Though raised in Los Angeles, Pulskamp is guided by traditional Navajo teachings that instill a profound responsibility to honor and serve the land and the Indigenous peoples of the area where she resides. Her life’s work is a powerful tribute to her mother, a survivor of the Sherman Institute during the traumatic boarding school era governed by the philosophy of “kill the Indian, save the man.” Driven by this legacy of resilience, Pulskamp works to ensure that today’s educational institutions are spaces of healing and advocacy. At the University of Redlands, she was a founding member of the Anti-Racism Committee and successfully advocated for the establishment of the Čañaam Center. This vital space now houses Native Student Programs, empowering students to build community while providing a place for the broader campus to meaningfully engage with Native culture.
From Mentone:
Jan Forrester
Jan Forrester is a retired fundraiser who has lived in Mentone since 1989. After volunteering for several organizations, she became involved with the Mentone Chamber of Commerce in the early 2020’s. She has participated in the Adopt a Highway clean up several times a year and helps out with the general chamber of commerce meetings. Last year, she painted a Volkswagen bus on the most recent mural of Mentone Beach located on Mentone Boulevard. Forrester has put her fundraising skills to use on the Film Festival committee by procuring sponsorships for the event. Currently, she is securing chamber memberships and organizing the Chamber’s first pub crawl/poker run.
Becky Gidcumb
Becky Gidcumb is a native of the Redlands area, and it has for the past 20 years, has taught science, including 16 years as a member of the AVID team at Citrus Valley High School. As both the coordinator and elective teacher, Gidcum has mentored and witnessed numerous students from underserved populations succeed at levels higher than they believed possible. Her guiding principle has always been to advocate for all students ensuring they feel consistently supported. More recently, Gidcum has served on the executive board for the Redlands Teachers Association as secretary and as an organizing committee member. She said this position allows her the opportunity to represent colleagues and work to ensure that the district’s initiatives align to the best interests of both teachers and students.
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Assemblymember James C. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district which includes the Cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Public Safety.
