As director of the improvement initiative, Faye McNair-Knox, Ph.D., works with more than 50 local organizations to provide resources for young people in East Palo Alto.
She was chosen by Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Palo Alto, to be one of about 80 women honored at today's ceremony, sponsored by the California Legislative Women's Caucus.
McNair-Knox earned a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. in education at Stanford University.
She was a Fulbright Scholar and has served as executive director at One East Palo Alto since 2004.