Among 16 Women of the Year
A local Marine and community organizer was recognized this week as a Los Angeles County Woman of the Year for her work in helping to address the city’s housing crisis.
Star Manning was honored on Monday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the Annual Women of the Year Commemorative Celebration. The ceremony, now in its 39th year, honored 16 women who have worked to better the lives of women in Los Angeles County.
Manning, a Marine veteran with a long history of leadership in the community, is currently working to bring affordable housing through 200-square-foot accessory dwelling units (ADUs) rapid roll-out program, building on Manning’s experience in the construction industry.
“Angelenos need homes. I’m answering that need,” Manning said.
Doing that work includes breaking barriers and cutting new paths in an industry not known for its friendliness to women, and working to build more opportunities for other women who follow in her footsteps.
“Every year, our Women of the Year event is an opportunity to honor the extraordinary women who have given back to their community, inspired others, and made history,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I congratulate Star Manning for being among our 2024 honorees and I applaud her commitment to equity and supporting her fellow women in the construction industry which is so often dominated by men.”
Manning has long been active in the veteran community, serving as Jr. Vice Commander of VFW Post 2122 in Los Angeles. Manning, the youngest to ever hold that office, has worked to organize community events from dry food giveaways to Easter egg hunts. With nearly 4,000 veterans in Los Angeles currently experiencing homelessness, Manning came face to face with the human costs every day.
“I come from this community — I graduated from Crenshaw High, and saw the social and economic barriers that Black and Brown youth face,” Manning said. “I credit the values instilled by the Crenshaw JROTC with my determination to build a better future. I thank the Los Angeles County Commission on Women for recognizing me as a woman who promotes diversity, inclusion and equality.”
Manning is currently seeking more construction partners to find innovative solutions to Los Angeles’ housing crisis, and welcomes the opportunity to help others become more engaged.
“Diversity, inclusion and equality, to me, means recognizing the strengths that are all around us and the duty that ties us together,” she said.
