SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) proudly announces that Olga Melo has been named the 2025 Woman of the Year for Senate District 13 in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, unwavering advocacy, and lifelong dedication to uplifting the Latino community in Mountain View and beyond.
As part of the annual California Legislative Women’s Caucus Woman of the Year Ceremony, Senator Becker honored Melo on the Senate floor in Sacramento on March 10, celebrating her profound impact on housing rights, public health, and civic engagement.
"I am incredibly proud to honor Olga Melo as this year’s Woman of the Year,” said Senator Josh Becker. “Her leadership has changed lives. She has fought for tenants’ rights, expanded access to healthcare, and empowered countless families in our community. Her work embodies the very spirit of public service, and I am honored to recognize her as this year’s Woman of the Year.”
Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Olga Melo has been a steadfast champion for social justice for over two decades. In 2003, she co-founded the Community Action Team (CAT), a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing education, public health, and civic engagement in Mountain View. Melo played a key role in the passage of Measure V, securing rent control and housing stability for local families. As a Santa Clara County health promoter, she worked on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that vulnerable and undocumented families had access to life-saving resources. Her impact extends beyond California—she has advocated in Washington, D.C., pushing for policies that uplift underserved communities. She also serves on the Latinx Advisory Committee with Senator Becker and the Mountain View Community Land Trust leadership council, working to expand affordable housing for working families.
Melo’s work has been recognized across the state, earning honors from organizations such as the League of California Cities and the Women’s Leadership and Policy Summit. Her dedication to community empowerment continues to inspire the next generation of leaders, ensuring that every resident—regardless of background—has a voice in shaping a more just and equitable future.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Senator Becker and the California State Senate are proud to uplift Olga Melo as a symbol of resilience, leadership, and the power of grassroots activism.