Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley) honored Patricia Gracia and Patsy Ayala as Woman of the Year Award recipients Thursday at Santa Clarita City Hall.

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“Both of these highly motivated, highly determined women have been a huge asset to this community,” Knight said.

Ayala has worked for major companies including Azteca Television, Mobil Oil and General Electric. While she has an extensive corporate background she also has an entrepreneurial passion.

“I received a letter three months ago that I was selected,” said Ayala, “And I feel really proud from everything I’ve been doing.”

Ayala has owned different fitness franchises with locations throughout Santa Clarita. She is co-founder of the Ex-A-Tec California Alumni association and CEO for the first bilingual magazine catering to the middle-high income bilingual and Hispanic residents within Santa Clarita and surrounding valleys, Nuestros Valles Magazine.

“Lately I’ve been showing up a lot in Spanish media with CNN and MundoFox,” said Ayala, “They call me a lot to talk about different things that impact the community.”

She is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Clarita Valley and Antelope Valley Latino Chambers of Commerce.  

Ayala is married to Julio del Rio and has two sons: Santiago and Rodrigo.

Gracia is the Founder and President of Power Media Group Inc. and Power Woman Business Center.

“I’m very humbled to receive such amazing recognition,” Gracia said.

With nothing more than a computer, fax and telephone, Power Media Group began in 2001 as an advertising agency based out of Gracia’s San Fernando Valley apartment.

She also founded Power Woman Business Center with the mission to create jobs in order to stimulate the economy, The center provides office equipment, training and leadership seminars, business planning and networking strategies to any of its members.

“I’m very excited to be able to look forward and to acquire this recognition, which is not just a certificate, it’s a resolution telling me to work hard, educate yourself and continually move forward with integrity and respect,” said Gracia.

Today, she and her husband Tony Gracia, manage a multi-million dollar enterprise that specializes in creating Spanish language media campaigns for high-profile clients seeking to reach the growing Hispanic market.

“Right now I’m looking forward to continue working hard and leave a legacy for my children,” Gracia said.

She is a mother of two children: Vanessa and Michael-Anthony.

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