Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak has been named Woman of the Year for state Senate District 4, as well as being recognized by the American Association of University Women.
“I was extremely surprised,” said Bublak of her District 4 honor. “I had actually nominated somebody else, and had no idea that I was being nominated at the same time.
“It’s definitely an honor, but every bit of it comes from people I’ve worked with along the way. They’ve all taught me something that has helped achieve my goals.”
The AAUW’s Turlock/Modesto and Oakdale/Riverbank/Escalon chapters will honor Bublak and three other female mayors — Modesto’s Sue Zwahlen, Oakdale’s Cherilyn Bairos, and Riverbank’s Rachel Hernandez — as part of their Women Leaders in Public Service event. The four mayors will be honored at a special event celebrating Women’s History Month on March 15 at the Turlock Library, 550 Minaret Ave., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to the public.
Bublak said she’s proud to be one of four female mayors in the county, and thinks it shows the diversity of the region.
“Not only that, but we have four women on the Turlock City Council,” said Bublak, the first woman ever to run for mayor in Turlock. “I think people are more open-minded about that kind of thing. But I’m glad to have opened it up. I hope others will show me up some day.”
A Turlock resident for more than 30 years, Bublak began her career in public service with the Richmond and Modesto police departments. After retiring, she moved into local government, and was elected to the Turlock City Council in 2008. She was elected mayor in 2018 and again in 2022.
“Amy’s dedication to public service and commitment to the people of Turlock make her a standout leader in senate District 4,” said Alvarado-Gil. “As the city’s first female mayor and a retired police officer, she leads with integrity, champions public safety, and works tirelessly to strengthen her city. Her leadership is an inspiration to women across our region, and I am proud to recognize her as Woman of the Year.”
Bublak holds degrees in sociology, criminal justice, and public administration. She has also served as president of the Stanislaus County Red Cross, and chairperson of the Stanislaus Local Agency Formation Commission. During President Donald Trump’s first term, he appointed her to the Social Problems Working Group, a subcommittee of the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
Bublak will be in Sacramento on Monday when the legislature honors each district’s selected Woman of the Year. As part of this event, Alvarado-Gil will formally recognize Bublak on the senate floor.
“Frankly, I’m not one who likes to be the center of attention,” said Bublak.
The AAUW, with about 50 members, has been active in Turlock-Modesto communities for 65 years. Each year, the group doles out scholarship money to high school senior girls studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). It also raises money to send middle school girls to tech camp in Fresno.
