Thanks to the leadership of our County Supervisors — especially 1st District Supervisor Jose Medina — we are proud to announce that Jane Block Day will now be recognized as an official local holiday in honor of Jane’s pivotal role in founding NORA (formerly the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center). Beginning Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and every year on her birthday, our community will honor her legacy and the movement she helped ignite.

Founded in 1973 through the visionary leadership of Jane Block, NORA was born from grassroots feminist activism in the city of Riverside. Jane’s work with women in the community revealed the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and the urgent need for survivor support. At a time when few resources existed and survivors faced discrimination in the legal system, Jane and her colleagues championed critical reforms in California to create pathways to healing and justice.

Under the visionary leadership of our CEO, Adriane Lamar Snider, NORA continues to grow and innovate while honoring our founding mission. In 2023, we established the Jane Block Trailblazer Award to celebrate individuals who exemplify leadership, innovation, and transformative change in philanthropy and service to others. This year’s award recipients will be honored at NORA’s 44th Annual Dinner & Auction Gala on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

This historic recognition of Jane Block Day would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Supervisor Jose Medina, whose commitment helped bring this vision to life.

With deep gratitude,

Adriane Lamar Snider

Chief Executive Officer, NORA