SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024 Inyo County Sheriff Rennie makes ‘HERstory’
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil honors Rennie for public service
Before a standing-room only crowd on Wednesday, Sheriff Stephanie Rennie accepted a certificate of honor from Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil for being a “California Woman Making HERstory” in 2024.
The senator presented the certificate alongside Inyo County Supervisor Trina Orrill, who nominated Sheriff Rennie for Senate District 4 honors during Women’s History Month. Sheriff Rennie is only one of 10 other individuals throughout Senate District 4 to be named a “SHEro.” District 4 encompasses 13 counties – Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne – and 21 cities, and boasts a population in excess of 1 million.
A 12th candidate, Calaveras County Supervisor Emeritus
Merita Callaway, was selected as Woman of the Year. Supervisor Callaway is the longest-running female county supervisor in California.
Sheriff Rennie took office in 2023 after defeating three other opponents in the 2022 primary and general elections. She began her career in law enforcement 21 years ago as a Correctional Officer, ending as Chief Investigator for the
District Attorney’s Office prior to being elected. She is the first female sheriff in Inyo County’s 158-year history.
“As District 1 supervisor, I am proud to have nominated Sheriff Rennie for this prestigious recognition. Her unwavering commitment to public service and exemplary leadership have set her apart,”
Orrill told the crowd. “Inyo County is fortunate to have an individual such as she serving as our sheriff. Today, we celebrate her outstanding contributions.”
Alvarado-Gil noted that Wednesday’s certificate presentation was her last, and perhaps the most important. “I gave every elected (official) the opportunity to name their Woman of the Year. Some of our larger counties said, ‘Yes, we have a couple nominees for you,’ but I represent rural communities – the Eastern Sierra – and it’s not often that the Eastern Sierra and our small rural communities get a distinguished honor like this.”
The senator went on to describe why Sheriff Rennie was among those selected for recognition
out of the numerous candidates nominated.
“To me, the SHEro possesses a high level of compassion, dedication, honesty, and integrity, and with that integrity comes perseverance and tenacity. A SHEro is selfless – a person who is unwavering in their efforts to create a thriving environment for every member of the community that they touch, that they speak to, and that they value. When Supervisor Orrill wrote to me, she said that Sheriff Rennie embodies the finest traditions of the dedicated public servant, who encourages and embraces innovation, and who also goes the extra mile to ensure her employees are respected and valued,” Senator Alvarado-Gil said. “In just year one that Sheriff Rennie has been in office, she has made significant changes to the way her team protects and serves the Inyo County people. She has made HERstory by implementing the correctional corporal position to build a career path for correctional officers aspiring to advance. Sheriff Rennie has also invested resources and strengthened several divisions within her office to tackle pressing issues like speeding and narcotics enforcement. She is that true role model who continues to encourage all women, young girls, and all people to follow their dreams …”
As for Sheriff Rennie, she told the crowd, simply: “I just want to say thank you to everyone in this room because you’re the real heroes, you made this happen. I’m doing this for you and all the future SHEroes out there.”