Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay) proudly announced Linda Evans as the State of California 2025 Woman of the Year (WOTY) representing the 35th Senate District.
Linda Evans has spent nearly four decades serving the public in the Department of Transportation for the City of Los Angeles.
“I carefully selected Linda Evans, a lifelong resident of the 35th Senate District, because she has consistently demonstrated excellence in our community, her honorable service within the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and her unmatched professional dedication to managing 502 miles of traffic signals and signs for over 10 million residents and visitors are truly commendable,” said Senator Richardson. “Linda Evans is a true Woman of the Year, a Wonder Woman who builds strong work teams, creates safety in our neighborhoods, and stands up for everyone she meets. There are over 19 million women In California, and Linda Evans is truly one in a million,” added Senator Richardson.
Evans currently works as Director of Field Services at DOT where she manages a staff of 300 that provides maintenance for every traffic signal, street sign, and pavement citywide. Ms. Evans is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Additionally, Ms. Evans holds degrees in Public Administration along with a CLRM certification which is designed to signify the recipient’s exposure to and practical experience with California’s system of public sector labor relations, including strategic and successful negotiations practice and effective grievance handling through arbitration.
The WOTY award was presented to Ms. Evans by Senator Richardson on Monday, March 10, 2025, during the floor session.
The Woman of the Year event was founded in 1987 by Assemblywoman Bev Hansen (R) and Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D), who noticed that the California Legislature had no events planned for the month of March, Women’s History Month.
In celebration of the contributions to society made by remarkable women throughout California, Hansen and Tanner arranged to invite one woman from each Senate and Assembly district to come to the Capitol and be honored for their accomplishments. This yearly event, sponsored and organized by the Women’s Caucus, is greatly anticipated by all Legislators today.
In the 2024 election cycle, the California Legislature set a record with 50% of the seats being held by women.
Richardson won a hotly contested race to succeed former Sen. Steve Bradford to represent the 35th District that spans the South Bay to the Ports of LA.
“What is a milestone like gender parity for, if not a moment like this?” said Susannah Delano, executive director of Close the Gap California, an advocacy group to elect progressive women. “State legislatures have and will continue to be the front line for many of those impacted to contest harmful policies and protect lives at risk.”