Harman names Franco the Woman of the Year

Sen. Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach), marking Woman’s History Month, selected a Newport-Mesa school board member as Woman of the Year on Wednesday.

“I am pleased to recognize Judy Franco as the 35th Senate District Woman of the Year,” he said in a prepared statement. “It is also fitting that Judy would be selected during Woman’s History Month because this year’s theme is ‘Woman’s Education — Woman’s Empowerment.’”

“I’m very honored to have been selected by Sen. Harman,” Franco said.

Franco, a Newport Beach resident since 1967, has served on the school board for 32 years.

Harman will give her the award at a ceremony in April.

His district includes Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley.

— Jamie Rowe

Twitter: @jamierowe3