Four Tucsonans are being honored for their work to fight for fairness and support nannies, house cleaners and other domestic care workers.

The 4th annual Women in Action Care Celebration, where the honors were handed out, was held in collaboration with Care in Action US, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that works to elevate the millions of domestic workers in the United States, many of whom are women of color and immigrants.

The group provides tools, training and community that help working families let their voices be heard and helps organize and advocate for respect, recognition and inclusion in labor protections.

Dozens of community members and leaders gathered at El Mezquite Salón de Eventos December 16 to celebrate the recipients’ work, with Care in Action’s Arizona Civic Engagement Program Manager, Anakarina Rodriguez, kicking off the event.

“Everyone deserves fair wages, workplace safety, paid sick leave, and the ability to care for their families without financial worry,” she said. “Too often, women of color face tough choices because we’re underrepresented in government, and policies don’t reflect our needs.”

She said the evening offered attendees the chance to take a break from work and come together to recognize people who have supported their efforts in spreading the message about care and domestic worker rights in Arizona.

Care in Action got its start in Arizona in 2020, helping to elect four of their seven endorsed candidates, all of whom were women of color.

Former Arizona State Senator and organizer Raquel Terán,  a member of the state’s House of Representatives from 2019 to 2021 before being appointed to the State Senate in 2021, was endorsed by Care In Action but lost a recent bid to replace Congressman Ruben Gallego in Arizona’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She fell to Yassamin Ansari in the primary by fewer than 50 votes;Ansari went on to win the seat.

“She would have been the first Latina elected to Congress, but unfortunately, she didn’t win,” Rodriguez said. “We’re honoring her for her tireless advocacy for women’s rights and immigrant rights.”

Pima County Supervisor and Board Chair Adelita Grijalva accepted the award for her father, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who was recognized as a "Care Champion" for his consistent support of domestic workers and his role in signing the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

“What has always fascinated me is his commitment to education and his drive to create a space for immigrants and their children to live a better life than he had growing up. That focus has always been a critical piece of his work,” Adelita Grijalva said of her father.

Raúl Grijalva, who announced earlier this year that this would be his final term, has been an advocate for those in need and a voice for Tucsonans for more than four decades.

“There was no question — we had to honor him for being such a strong supporter throughout the years,” Rodriguez said. “I’m so grateful and proud to have lived in his district my whole life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support and the dedication of his staff.”

The next honoree, Martha Reyes, was recognized for her work as an organizer with Jobs with Justice, an organization that advocates for worker’s rights, economic justice and fair working conditions. Reyes also serves as treasurer of the Pima County Young Democrats.

 Reyes “challenges the status quo (and) is a strong organizer,” Rodriguez said.”Martha continues to show up for immigrant rights.”

Activism runs in the Reyes family, which Rodriguez highlighted when she presented the final award to Martha Reyes’ daughter, Ximena Reyes, an advocate for sickle cell disease awareness.

Ximena Reyes’ personal experience with the disease led her to share her story at school, where it caught the attention of the community. She was invited to speak when Mayor Regina Romero proclaimed October Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Tucson. 

She spoke during the awards ceremony about her daily struggles living with sickle cell disease, but said she remains hopeful about her future. 

“It is pretty hard living with the disease, but that hasn’t stopped me from having dreams of one day being a volleyball player or running a marathon,” Ximena Reyes said. “I would also like to believe that sickle cell disease will someday be a disability that gets the attention and recognition it deserves.”

Rodriguez said she admired Ximena Reyes’ strength and reslilience and her ability to see beyond her personal struggles and work to help others.

“As organizers, we use the story of self as a tool to recognize where you come from, what issues have impacted you, and how it can prompt others to take action,” she said.

Isabela Gamez is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at gamezi@arizona.edu.

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