To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: Recognizing Janet Frazier as an honoree of the Contra Costa County Inaugural International Women's Day 2026
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution No. 2026- recognizing Janet Frazier as an honoree of the Contra Costa County Inaugural International Women's Day 2026, as recommended by Supervisor Burgis.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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BACKGROUND:
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CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
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The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF RECOGNIZING JANET FRAZIER AS AN HONOREE OF THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2026
WHEREAS, Supervisor Diane Burgis recognizes Janet Frazier as the Honoree for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Inaugural International Women’s Day 2026 for her extraordinary service and dedication to families in crisis. Through her steadfast leadership, compassion, and perseverance, Janet has transformed personal tragedy into a legacy of hope, dignity, and community care; and
WHEREAS, on December 16, 2000, Janet Frazier’s daughters, Stephanie (20) and Lindsey (17), were involved in a tragic car accident that claimed Stephanie’s life and left Lindsey in critical condition. During long hours in the trauma unit a nurse shared her sandwich with Janet who had not eaten in over 24 hours. This simple act of kindness inspired Janet to transform her profound personal loss into a mission of compassion and service to others. In 2004 Janet founded The Network of Care as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of critically ill children and adults delivering hope and nourishment when it’s needed most, all while working full time at Chevron.
WHEREAS, for over two decades, Janet’s tireless efforts with her team at The Network of Care have served as a lifeline for families, preparing and delivering more than 400,000 in-hospital meal bags to families at over 50 hospitals throughout California, including children’s hospitals, family houses, community hospitals with pediatric units, intensive care nurseries, adult ICU and trauma centers. They remain a 100 percent volunteer organization with no paid staff or overhead expenses, sustained entirely through community donations and service so that families can focus their energy on their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the Contra Costa Times published a front-page article highlighting Janet’s early efforts assembling and distributing meal bags to Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek, inspiring community members to volunteer and support the cause; and in 2005, Janet received the distinguished Silver Jefferson Award for Public Service, also known as a Nobel Prize for public and community service from the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard. Janet was also honored in a segment aired by CBS News; Janet co-founded Our Healing Hearts, providing monthly support groups and an annual candlelight memorial to support women grieving the loss of a child; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 and 2007, Janet’s diligent data collection and advocacy efforts directly resulted in life-saving safety improvements along a dangerous stretch of Highway 50, where her daughter was killed, culminating in the 2007 designation of the Stephanie Marie Frazier Memorial Highway under Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22; and
WHEREAS, Janet has been the recipient of numerous honors recognizing her service, including the Woman of Distinction Award from Soroptimist International of the Delta (2006); Woman of the Year by Senator Tom Torlakson, 7th District (2007); the Threads of Hope Award from Diablo Magazine (2007); a proclamation from the Oakley City Council for being an invaluable resource to people in crisis (2007); an award from Rady Children’s Hospital , San Diego for her dedication to their families (2010); the Distinguished Achievement Award from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland (2011); the Hall of Fame Award from the Contra Costa County Commission for Women and Girls for Women Improving Healthcare (2014); recognition by NBC Bay Area (2016); Woman of the Year for Women Making Herstory by Senator Steve Glazer, 7th District (2023); and a 2024 Jefferson Awards segment on CBS News; The Network of Care has received numerous proclamations and resolutions by the CA State Senate and Assembly, and Congressman John McNerney; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Janet developed and initiated an innovative vocational Special Education program, which now serves 150 to 200 young adults at four local high schools each year, to gain job skills and transition successfully into adult life and future employment; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, following her retirement from Chevron after 41 years of service, with her 90-year-old father help, Janet assembled and personally delivered thousands of additional meal bags to local children’s hospitals at a time of extraordinary need underscoring her personal mission, “Making a Difference in the Lives of Others,”. Included in each meal bag is a message affirming that “Small Acts of Kindness lead to a better world,” further inspiring countless families to pay kindness forward. In 2025 Janet was interviewed on how she turned a personal tragedy into a lasting source of community support which is the cornerstone of the “The Difference We Can Make” Podcast; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Contra Costa County Supervisor, Chair Diane Burgis hereby honors and commends Janet Frazier for her extraordinary dedication, humanitarian leadership, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others; and expresses its deepest gratitude for Janet Frazier’s invaluable service to thousands of families and healthcare providers throughout California and recognizes The Network of Care as a shining example of compassion in action.
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