Rebecca Wasik
Mar 4, 2025
Each year, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, recognizes one woman from each of the districts he represents as ‘Woman of the Year’.
All of the honorees were celebrated at a reception at Trinchero Winery in St. Helena on Sunday, March 2, including this year’s Yolo County Woman of the Year, Mary Yin Liu.
"I am truly humbled and honored," said Liu. "I first met congress member Thompson nearly three decades ago when I graduated law school and moved to Northern California to work as a deputy district attorney."
Liu has lived in Davis for 23 years with her husband Harris and two adult sons, who are alumni of Davis High School.
"Mary Yin Liu has gone above and beyond in serving our community, both as a founder of a local nonprofit, and a leader in charitable organizations,” said Thompson. “Her wisdom, leadership, and dedication to serving others make her such an excellent leader. I am honored to recognize her as Yolo County’s Woman of the Year.”
She has served as Vice President of the Solano County Women Lawyers Association; on the Yolo County Planning Commission; is a McDonald’s Franchisee with 21 restaurants in Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties and was the first minority and female President for the Northern California Operators Association.
Liu also founded Davis non-profit, Thriving Pink. Thriving Pink is dedicated to helping those impacted by breast cancer thrive through free mentor programs, financial assistance, support groups, educational workshops and other valuable resources.
"The Pink Team is incredibly inspiring," Liu said. "We have all been part of a loved one's journey to fight this disease, and many of our volunteers are breast cancer survivors or thrivers themselves."
CC and Regina Yin, Liu’s parents, founded the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), of which Liu is now CEO. APAPA is a non-profit organization that advances leadership and civic engagement in Asian Pacific Islander communities.
"APAPA will be entering its 25th year silver anniversary next year, and there is so much to celebrate," remarked Liu.
In her role at APAPA, Liu has expanded the non-profit’s internship program and led the APAPA team to organize the inaugural California Asian American Advocacy Day at the state capitol last year. This year's Advocacy Day will be held on April 28.
"There are so many incredible trailblazers who have come before us, and who will come after us,” said Liu. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community, and I look forward to working with and seeing the next generation of leaders make an even greater impact.”
In 2024, Liu was recognized as a Top 20 AAPI Change Maker by The Sacramento Bee. In 2022, she was selected as Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Jim Cooper.
A complete list of Thompson’s 2025 winners include:
Wilda Shock – Lake County Woman of the Year
Norma Ferriz de Massaro – Napa County Woman of the Year
Lisa Hilas – Solano County Woman of the Year
Thea Hensel – Sonoma County Woman of the Year
Mary Yin Liu – Yolo County Woman of the Year