Francisca Castillo, Raise the Bar: Women’s Equity in Sports Award

CSUN Recreation and Tourism Management lecturer Francisca Castillo was honored in March by the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department and their Recreation and Parks Department at their Raise the Bar Luncheon for the significant impacts she has made in gender equity and sports.

The event was hosted in partnership with the LA Recreation and Parks Department, LA Civil Rights Department, and the LA Parks Foundation. The awarding committee recognized that her, “dedication, passion, and outstanding contributions to increase girls’ participation in sports has made a significant impact, inspiring others and effecting positive change.” They added, “with all the groundbreaking work you did for our department and the GPLA program, you exemplify the spirit of empowerment and resilience, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for girls everywhere.”

Castillo told us, “I haven’t worked for the city of Los Angeles in two years, so being honored by them for Women’s History Month was definitely a surprise.” Currently, in addition to teaching for CSUN RTM, Castillo is Recreation and Community Services Manager for the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.  Along with Castillo, among the honorees were representatives from Angel City Football Club, a Los Angeles 2028 Olympian, Students Run LA.  Castillo was among several faculty experts featured in CSUN Today in 2022, in honor of Women’s History Month, for her strengths in empowering women.