CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2016
WOMEN WHO DARE AWARDEES! 

Please join us in celebrating and honoring these exceptional women and teens that truly exemplify strong, smart, and bold, and provide powerful role models for girls.  We received a large number of outstanding nominations and continue to be impressed and inspired by the amazing women and teens that do so much for youth in our community.  Thank you to the nominators and kudos to the deserving nominees.

Acta Non Verba (ANV) is a non-profit urban farm that focuses on serving at-risk youth from kindergarten to eighth grade, and their families. ANV utilizes urban farming as a catalyst to increase the standard of living for urban youth. As a mother, Kelly feels very strongly about creating a healthier future for East Oakland youth. Kelly is a veteran of the United States Navy and has been the recipient of many awards such as the 2015 Veteran of the Year Award. In addition, her work at ANV was honored at the White House by President Barack Obama. Kelly is an avid gardener and active member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition

Janet had a vision to create a community cultural arts center in the former Clamp Swing building, a blighted industrial warehouse in Alameda. With perseverance and grace, Janet overcame a number of hurdles to create Rhythmix Cultural Works. Janet is an accomplished artist, taiko drummer, and leading provider of cultural arts performances and education activities. She is committed to bringing arts to Alameda youth.

Fernanda is at the top of her class. When she graduates in June, she also will have completed the requirements for a two year Associate’s degree and the general education requirements for the University of California and the California State University system. She will be a first-generation college student in her family. Fernanda is a school leader, has worked with the Martin Luther King Freedom Center, spent many hours creating a school garden, and was the ASTI student representative to Alameda Unified School District Board of Education.

Maria is a top student in her senior class. She is a leader in several school clubs and her community. She represents the first generation in her family to attend college.  Maria is passionate about her Greek heritage and has immersed herself in learning the language, history and culture of Greece. She has accumulated over 800 hours of community service, many in the Greek Orthodox Youth Association, where she is a role model for young students.

This year the Committee added an honorary award for a nominee who is an Alameda icon. Faith Yamato has owned and worked daily at the Kamakura Restaurant for the last thirty-four years. She was raised in the Japanese tradition of service that she proudly brings to her customers. Faith has been instrumental in introducing Japanese cuisine to the Alameda community. In 2016, Kamakura will celebrate its 35th anniversary. Faith will have worked 34 years as the owner of the restaurant and she will also celebrate her 92nd birthday. 

Kate is an Alameda writer, teacher, and parent. She is the author of fiction and nonfiction works, including the New York Times bestselling children’s book, Rad American Women A-Z, which portrays strong, smart and bold women who have made a difference in our world. Kate has presented at schools, libraries, book festivals, conferences, and appeared on several national radio and TV shows to speak about feminism, women’s histories, and children’s literature. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from Brown University and a double BA in Women’s Studies and Creative Writing from University of California, Santa Cruz. She is the co-founder of The Encyclopedia Project and is Chair of the School of Literary Arts at the Oakland School of the Arts.