State Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, recently honored Concord’s Janet Frazier at the California State Capitol in Sacramento as his district’s nominee for “Women Making Herstory.”

Frazier founded The Network of Care, a nonprofit that feeds families of hospitalized children. Frazier is also a co-founder of Our Healing Hearts, which supports women who have lost children.

Frazier lost one daughter in a vehicle crash while tending to a second recovering in the hospital, which inspired her to start both groups.

“It was a special moment for me to honor Janet at the capitol,” Glazer said in a statement. “She has put her heart and soul into her life projects to offer care and support for women and families who have lost children or are worrying about them as they lay in hospital beds.”

Glazer said Frazier has dedicated years to supporting women and families with children in hospitals, and her strength came from her own tragedy.

“It was so inspiring to be among women with truly unique stories about the impact they are having on so many people.”

Janet Frazier

Frazier said in a statement she was honored by Glazer’s recognition and to be a part of an event showcasing women’s accomplishments across many fields.

“The ceremony at the state capitol was filled with amazing women, whose passion, dedication and perseverance are making a difference in the lives of others,” Frazier said. “It was so inspiring to be among women with truly unique stories about the impact they are having on so many people.”

According to Glazer’s office, Frazier was prompted to start her foundation at the bedside of her hospitalized daughter when — weak from not eating — she accepted a sandwich from a kind nurse. That act of kindness inspired her to create The Network of Care to provide meals to families facing similar situations. Since 2004, Frazier’s group has fed more than 340,000 families of critically ill children in more than 58 hospitals in 15 counties throughout the state.

The Network of Care has also partnered with high schools in Brentwood and Antioch to allow students in special education classes to help with the assembly of the bags as part of their vocational skills program. Janet and all of her staff are volunteers.

The Network of Care can be found on Twitter and online at www.thenetworkofcare.org. Our Healing Hearts hosts monthly support groups for women grieving the loss of a child. The group meets with moms individually and hosts an annual candlelight ceremony in remembrance of their children.