In a move celebrated by the local community, Karina Macias, Vice Mayor of Huntington Park, was named Woman of the Year for the Fourth District by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. This accolade was bestowed during the 39th Annual “Women of the Year” ceremony, a tradition upheld by the LA County Commission for Women to honor formidable females who shine in their civic duties.
Macias, a political force elected to the City Council in 2013, juggles multiple roles with a tenacity that surpasses the conventional. Not only is she an elected official but also acts as a full-time in-home caregiver—a responsibility she embraced to look after her own parents. Compounded by leadership roles within SEIU 2015, a union for in-home supportive service workers, her impact resonates beyond the familial and into the lives of those tethered by similar threads of caregiving duties.
“In every role she has taken on—public servant, labor leader, caring daughter—Karina gives so much to the people she cares about. She is fearless, committed, and brings a lot of heart to her work. Huntington Park is a better place because of her leadership," Hahn said. Macias, a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University and Chapman University, has focused on initiatives that fuel the local economy, youth development, and support for seniors and new homeowners in Huntington Park.
The recognition was personal for Macias, who dedicated the award to her fellow in-home caregivers and her parents, who were present during the ceremony. "I want to thank Supervisor Janice Hahn for this recognition. I'm truly humbled for this honor," Macias told at the event. "For women to continue to thrive and continue to break barriers, they need each other's unique thread to come together and provide equitable opportunities and change for the future."
Macias's dedication to in-home healthcare extends to economic advocacy for the workforce, which is predominantly comprised of women of color and often undervalued in terms of compensation. Her involvement in SEIU 2015, where she is part of the bargaining team, signifies her commitment to addressing these disparities and enhancing the welfare of IHSS workers. In line with this, Macias has been integral in establishing an IHSS home care worker stipend program in her city.
