LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Longtime Clearlake resident Maria Almia De Los Santos last month received the Global 100 Award as one of the top 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World.
The Filipina Women's Network, which sponsors these awards, recognizes women who have risen to the most influential and/or highest positions in corporations and nonprofit/government institutions in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Europe.
De Los Santos is being recognized in the Founder and Pioneer category for her work in co-founding Hospice Services of Lake County in 1979 with other community visionaries.
De Los Santos spearheaded the fundraising efforts and offered the fledgling organization a rent free space for its first office.
The founder and pioneer award honors Filipina women in their capacities as the chief executive, president, executive director or founder of a company, community organization, nonprofit or business venture that they helped start, build or significantly grow.
This award category is for the trailblazers who have marshaled resources and applied innovative practices, processes and/or technologies in a new and groundbreaking way to address a significant business or organizational opportunity.
Hospice Services of Lake County originated as an all-volunteer nonprofit organization until 1989 when Medicare accreditation was finally achieved through the hard work and persistence of many of the original founders including De Los Santos.
Being accredited for Medicare allows people with Medicare insurance coverage to receive the hospice care benefit free of charge.
De Los Santos has worked continually for Hospice Services of Lake County since its inception and in March of 2003 she joined the organization's staff as a spiritual caregiver who provides spiritual support to hospice patients and their families.