program and that really is because of the advocacy and the warriorism of a handful of people, people like sandra. we started at the airport really back in 1995. that's where the program first got underway. it expanded city-wide under the leadership of virginia harmon, and someone who is not here and i make sure is absolutely acknowledged is johnny robinson. she was a behind the scenes warrior for women minority and small businesses he around removing the barriers. zula, clearly she and i have been to battle together. i have the scars to prove it. [laughter] >> you know, but i am really grateful for the challenges that we had to come through because it really steeled me for, you know, growing up, being a grown up entrepreneur. and as they say, swimming with the sharks. so, some of the challenges that we've come through, no matter how tough at the time, they really were like sandpaperthat smoothed out, you know, and

shaped me as a business owner and really ~ i have such a heart felt thanks for the opportunities the city and city ask county has given me now. naomi kelly, [speaker not understood] on a broader platform. it's not always ~ just the women. sometimes advocacy wears suits and tie. and i see a couple gentlemen in the audience i'm going to acknowledge because they have also been staunch advocates and supported our firm and that's george bridges with the former redevelopment agency. (applause) >> and i'm still going to call him commissioner simon, who is an ex-commissioner of cpuc, former commissioner i'm sure is the proper term to say. but we have now opportunities with the utility company as a result of his advocacy for our firm and others that, you know, we're continuing today, and continuing to grow. so, thank you very much for the acknowledgment and really, it's an opportunity to express

gratitude. i see jennifer elmore in the back. clearly it's not just me. (applause) >> there's 45 of us now that are happy to be here and want to support all of our fellow women business owners. thank you. (applause) >> olivia chen, lbe community avenue ka of the year award. ~ advocate of the year award. >> thank you. this is a real honor and also a total surprise. i kind of felt like i didn't do very much to deserve this recognition. and since i'm the last one and we got 45 minutes, so, i'm going to start talking. [laughter] >> i got my little firm, just one person certified, when lee what director of human rights commission. and after that he was very

supportive after that, virginia, without you, i don't know where i would be. but all of your advice and support was really greatly appreciated. over the years, zula, you got us into the port. so, within a short five years we were working for sfpuc, dpw, muni, port, rec and park and what else? the airport. so, i have to say without your help, and that we just couldn't do it. tracy, also with your help, it was invaluable. and special thank you to emilio. he was our program manager on the transbay terminal project. when the little friend like ours got in trouble with the barkley bank, emilio, your support is appreciated. otherwise i would have many sleepless nights.

all of this i think is -- were all challenges, but i think the best thing i can share with you is that i was so busy getting the stuff done i wasn't worrying about them. so, i think just put your nose to the grind stone and get some work done. you'll get somewhere. the support system is not anywhere else on this planet you can find. and my phone number is on the website. any time you type in olivia chen san francisco, you'll find me. and i will be very happy to share with you my experience, good and bad, and the happy ones and the sad ones. other than that, i'm trying to ease out and only working one day a week. so, zula has a way of keeping me in the loop and keeping me in the family. and i really appreciate that.

~, zula. and naomi, that's the power -- one half of the power couple. and without [speaker not understood] and naomi, i don't know where i would be. and we managed to sell the company [speaker not understood], so now i'm doing a little consulting on my own. so, i do have time. and if you want to give me a call, send me an e-mail, you'll be more than welcome. thank you very much. (applause) >> thanks again. you heard everyone talking about the people who helped them . and thank you for being part of the city family, the one that dedicates themselves to actually making sure that the

community gets a piece of the pie in city contracting. thank you very much, all the honorees, the community members, and, of course, the city departments, commissioners, and everybody who presented. thank you very much. i also wanted to mention that without the partnering that we have, as zula mentioned, with the different debtsv, we wouldn't be able to do the work that we do. ~ departments i want to acknowledge our city administrator for her support and dedication. (applause) >> i also want to acknowledge our port director, monique moyer. (applause) >> we have commissioner [speaker not understood] from the san francisco human rights commission here, advocate of the lbe community. (applause) >> you've seen emilio cruz in action here accepting an award for sfpuc. i'm not sure if i'm missing

anyone. i'm sorry? regina, regina, where are you? there she is, our director of the small business commission, regina [speaker not understood]. (applause) >> thank you, regina. and also want to mention with the san francisco public utilities commission, we are having a women in construction event on may 15th and i will be sending e-mails. i know that you get e-mails from me a lot of time. that is something that is not going to stop. [laughter] >> i want to keep you informed as much as possible. and with that i'll turn it over to zula. >> i want to thank all of you for coming this morning to help celebrate and honor international women's day and our recipients of the award. i would not be here today without help from other people.

rosanne, [speaker not understood], she's a sweetheart, she make everything easy. i don't know if she's still here or not, but i want to thank her publicly for her help and all her colleagues who make this event. ~ happen. i want to thank scott wiseman from dtis, he's the guy behind the camera. we don't look good, call him. [laughter] >> my colleagues tim and nina, i don't see nina in here, but i want to thank you for all your work, the copying and the e-mails and my nonsense when i call you and say, what? [laughter] >> they just take care of it quietly. i want to thank you. i couldn't have done this without you. maria cordero, the director. she and i have worked together as a team for so many years, we

think together. what i can't do, she did you. don't worry, i'll get it done. i'm like, okay, and it's done. so, i want to thank you. yeah. naomi kelly, some people say, oh, that's your child. [laughter] >> no. but i have to admit, her mother would not agree with that. she's more than that. she's a wonderful young leader of this city who is doing wonderful great things for our city. her presence in the chief administrative office has made a difference. i'm very proud of her. she was a great protege colleague, now she's the boss. i love her as a boss. yeah, you do that job well. (applause) >> thank you for your help. never -- any time i call her, text her, whatever, i get a

quick response. and that's good. so, thank you. i want to thank you all again for coming. have some food, drink some coffee, celebrate. enjoy the women. (applause) 1ñ/]blñ)çqqsqll