Sharon Davis, First Lady of California, Presides Over Women and Youth Supporting Each Other's 6th Annual Role Model of the Year Awards; Val Zavala, of KCET's Life & Times, hosts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mina Kim, (213) 488-4942 August 19, 2002 (Los Angeles) California Governor Gray Davis' wife, Sharon Davis, will be the featured honoree at Women and Youth Supporting Each Other's (WYSE) 6th annual Role Model of the Year Awards. Davis, upon being recognized for her inspirational contributions to women, will give the event's keynote address. She will be presented with the honor at a special luncheon on Sunday, August 25, at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel from 12 noon - 3 p.m. Val Zavala, star of KCET's Life & Times, will serve as host. Other guests speaking that afternoon include Pasadena Assembly Member Carol Liu and Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Brian K. Williams. WYSE, a Los Angeles-based national mentorship organization, is thrilled to look up to Davis. She plays a key role in the Governor's Conference for Women and is Honorary Chair of the Governor's Mentoring Partnership. Currently, Davis is searching for 1 million people to sign up as new mentors for Californian youth. "Sharon Davis had a mentor make a difference in her life. Her commitment to mentoring comes from the heart," says Mina Kim, executive director of WYSE. "She is courageous, wise and down to earth - a terrific role model for us." The luncheon will also single out the achievements of WYSE members, which include college-aged mentors and their teen mentees, this past year. Plus, guests will be able to participate in a silent auction, with its proceeds advancing the recruitment and training of the group's volunteer mentors. During the next 2002/2003 school year, WYSE mentors will help girls build self-esteem, prevent unwanted pregnancies, continue their education and jumpstart their careers. WYSE created the Role Model of the Year Awards in order to celebrate those female leaders who are dedicated to empowering women of all ages. Past honorees include civil rights attorney Angela Oh, KCBS-TV anchor Linda Alvarez, Los Angeles Unified School District board president Genethia Hudley Hayes and Sanchez. For information on attending the event, go to www.wyse.org.