LVMPD Celebrates Female Leadership During Women’s History Month
More than 350 community, business, and law enforcement leaders, many of them women, attended the Wonder Women of Metro Luncheon on Tuesday, March 29 that is hosted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation to celebrate and recognize female leadership in law enforcement and in our communities. Started in August 2017, the Luncheon honors Wonder Women in our community who are dedicated to public safety.
This year’s Luncheon keynote speaker was Missy Young, Chief Information Officer, Switch, who has demonstrated strong community leadership and has excelled in an industry typically dominated by men. Trailblazing women in our community previously honored at this event as keynote speakers include Diana Bennett, Kris Engelstad McGarry, Robin Greenspun, and Nikki Fargas.
During the Luncheon, the inaugural Crystal Sims Award was presented to a female officer in memory of LVMPD Police Officer Crystal Sims (Las Vegas, 2020) a dedicated and compassionate LVMPD officer, a military war veteran and loving mother who passed away from cancer due to her exposure to hazardous materials during wartime deployment to Afghanistan.
LVMPD Officer Christina Martinez was awarded the Crystal Sims Wonder Women Medallion for her demonstration of compassion, determination, and optimism in the face of adversity. Martinez was one of 15 female law enforcement officers nominated and was selected for her heroism and compassion in saving the life of fellow LVMPD Officer Raquita Sanchez through the donation of her kidney.
For more than four years, Martinez assisted Sanchez to find a medical center to perform the transplant. They were denied in Nevada, California, and Arizona, but through their determination finally found a medical team in Utah to perform the surgery in July 2021. She donated over 300 of her personal PTO hours for the surgery and recovery. Martinez’ unselfish sacrifice of being an organ donor has allowed three young girls to grow up with their loving mother.
“The LVMPD Foundation is honored to recognize and highlight the significant contributions of women in the department,” said Tom Kovach, Executive Director, LVMPD Foundation. “In addition to raising important funds for the LMVPD Foundation, the event helps strengthen the relationship between LVMPD and the community, and calls attention to the importance that diverse perspectives bring to our community.”
About the LVMPD Foundation:
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises funds to support and supplement Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department programs and initiatives. The LVMPD Foundation was established in 1999 and is dedicated to supporting LVMPD area commands, special units, equipment, training, and hundreds of community engagement programs and initiatives that build relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officers are here to Protect and Serve our community, and together with law enforcement, we can help make our neighborhoods safer for all. Please join us in our important work by contributing at www.lvmpdfoundation.org
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