As part of an annual recognition of Women’s History Month in the State Capitol, Assemblymember Chris Holden announces Cher Ofstedahl as Claremont’s 2022 Woman of Distinction.

The 41st Assembly District’s Women of Distinction from throughout the district include Juanita West-Tillman (Altadena), Cher Ofstedahl (Claremont), Chief Colleen Flores (La Verne), Maritza Flores-Travanti (Monrovia), Elizabeth McSwain, (Rancho Cucamonga), Marilyn Sparks (San Dimas), Bertha Aguirre (Sierra Madre), Cathy Billings (South Pasadena) and Kim Anthony (Upland). Over 150 nominations were sent to Assemblymember Holden for the honor.

“The 2022 Women of Distinction are dedicated leaders who improve the lives for thousands of individuals and families in the 41st Assembly District and beyond,” said Holden. “They demonstrate the power of giving to others and community empowerment, I am honored to be amongst a high caliber of professionals.”

Cher Ofstedahl leads as CEO of Trinity Youth Services, an agency which serves over 200 children and families daily through residential therapeutic services, mental health programs, foster care and adoption services. She is also CEO of the Children’s Foundation of America, a Claremont-based charity, which provides thousands of children in foster care, shelters, crisis centers, underserved school districts and more with care packages, scholarships, and grants.

Cher advocates for children in need after experiencing her own childhood trauma. Her firsthand experience gives her unique insight into a mission to help children and families create a better future. Cher has worked in foster care for over 20 years and prior to that, she worked in the music industry and as a professional actress. In her spare time, Cher performs stand-up comedy professionally.

Among her many academic degrees and certificates, Cher holds a BA in organizational management from Arizona State University and post-graduate certifications from Cornell University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2019, Cher completed her master’s degree in ethical leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. She is also a member of the first graduating cohort in a National Human Services Assembly (NHSA) nonprofit executive leadership program; a collaboration with Arizona State University, Indiana University and the Lilly School of Philanthropy.

Cher has served on a variety of nonprofit boards and currently serves on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Claremont to help oversee their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, serves on the Policy and Practice Commission for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is on the Juvenile Justice Steering Committee for the California Alliance for Children & Families, and is a Design Thinking Department Advisor at University of California, Riverside.

The office of California Assemblymember, Chris Holden, will present the honor of Woman of Distinction during the Children’s Foundation of America’s first annual Chari-Tea fundraiser held on Saturday, May 21. The event will raise funds and awareness for youth in foster care during National Foster Care Month. The community, women business leaders, and change makers are invited to this special event sponsored by Claremont Lincoln University.

At the event, singer/songwriter Katie Ferrara will perform a set, floral arrangements will be provided by Delia Haro Floral, a tea and coffee cart sponsored by Summit Tea and Pour Vida, as well as finger sandwiches and baked goods from many favorite local bakeries. Click here for more information on the Chari-Tea event.