Sacramento Attorney Anh Phoong Named 2026 National Woman of Impact Winner by American Heart Association

Sacramento-based attorney and community advocate Anh Phoong has been named the 2026 National Woman of Impact Winner by the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. The award recognizes her efforts during a nine-week campaign to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in women, according to the American Heart Association.

Phoong became a nominee for the campaign after her mother survived a heart attack. “I went on this journey because my mom survived a heart attack,” Phoong said. “For so many women, that’s not the outcome. This campaign was my way of honoring her - and reminding women that we have to take care of ourselves if we want to keep showing up for everyone else.”

During the campaign, Phoong led a team-driven effort, pulling together leaders from across Sacramento to build a group of more than 100 people who raised awareness, inspired healthier habits and supported critical funding for research, education and advocacy. The Woman of Impact campaign, launched annually on National Wear Red Day, calls on changemakers across the country to lead grassroots efforts that improve heart health in their communities.

“This is what women supporting women really looks like,” she said. “When we show up for each other, our impact is bigger.”

Nominees across the country reached thousands of people - encouraging simple but powerful actions like daily movement, healthier eating and stress management. “It doesn’t have to be complicated,” Phoong said. “Go for a walk. Make better choices. Small habits add up. That’s how we take control of our health.”

As the 2026 National Woman of Impact Winner, Phoong joins a growing network of advocates working to close gaps in awareness, research and care for women. Despite progress, fewer than half of women recognize CVD as their greatest health threat, and women remain underrepresented in research and underserved in care.

“The Woman of Impact campaign brings the mission of Go Red for Women to life in communities across the country,” said Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association and managing partner and co-founder at 7wireVentures. “Leaders like Phoong drive change by taking actions that help more women live longer, healthier lives.”

For more information about the Woman of Impact campaign and the Go Red for Women movement, visit GoRedforWomen.org.