On May 7, the Association for Women in Communications – Santa Barbara (AWC-SB) honored four extraordinary women whose work and leadership have strengthened and uplifted Santa Barbara’s immigrant community at the 2026 Women of Achievement Awards luncheon: Teresa Alvarez, executive director, Carpinteria Children’s Project; Primitiva Hernandez, executive director, 805 UndocuFund; Viviana Marsano, assistant dean, Civic and Community Engagement, UCSB; and Julissa Pena, executive director, Immigrant Legal Defense Center.
The honorees embody this year’s theme: Powerful Voices, Purposeful Change – Women Leading Through Civic Engagement, highlighting women who use their platforms to advance equity and strengthen communities. Tracy Lehr, celebrated journalist at News Channel 3-12, emceed the event.
More than 100 guests, including AWC-SB members, community leaders, educators, advocates and sponsors, filled the historic Cabrillo Pavilion to celebrate the honorees and their important work in our community. The honorees each answered thoughtful questions posed by emcee Tracy Lehr and shared their backgrounds and moving stories that reflect how the organizations they lead provide critical support to immigrants and their families. Their work through these organizations includes running the 805 Rapid Response Network; providing legal counsel; helping families know their rights and access resources and mutual aid; providing language support; and mentoring students to become engaged citizens. Through their fierce commitment and compassion, these exemplary leaders elevate critical conversations, empower others to act, and inspire meaningful change.
When asked how community members can engage with their work, the honorees all agreed that showing up, speaking up whenever possible, and supporting their grassroots organizations and community-led solutions are all important ways to make a difference.
“It was an honor to celebrate these inspiring women leaders,” said Katya Armistead, AWC-SB member of the Board of Directors and Women of Achievement Chair. “They truly embody the theme of civic engagement and leading with deep experience, powerful voices, and purpose.”
The 2026 Women of Achievement Luncheon is grateful to the following event supporters: Presenting sponsor Women Connect4Good / Dr. Nancy O’Reilly; the Santa Barbara Independent; Yardi; Natalie Orfalea Foundation; California Assemblymember Gregg Hart; KCSB-FM; Montecito Bank & Trust; Pip Printing; and Sage Publishing.
The annual Women of Achievement Awards event recognizes outstanding women communicators, providing inspiring role models for women pursuing careers in journalism, public speaking, writing, public relations, filmmaking, photography, and related disciplines.
Learn more about becoming a member of AWC-SB at https://awcsb.org/become-a-member/.
AWC-SB hosts monthly meetings for its members and guests, featuring topics that help communicators hone their skills and stay up to date with important developments in the technology, practice and ethics of communications.
