Anh Phoong, a Sacramento attorney and community advocate, has been named the 2026 National Woman of Impact Winner by the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign, an initiative focused on raising awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. The award recognizes Phoong's leadership during a nine-week campaign that mobilized over 100 people in Sacramento to promote heart health education, healthy habits, and fundraising for research and advocacy.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, according to the American Heart Association, and Phoong's motivation stems from a personal experience: her mother survived a heart attack. "For so many women, that's not the outcome," Phoong said in a statement. "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."
The Woman of Impact campaign, which launches annually on National Wear Red Day (the first Friday in February), calls on changemakers across the country to lead grassroots efforts that improve heart health in their communities. Participants form Impact Teams to raise funds, educate others on cardiovascular risks, and inspire lifestyle changes such as daily movement, healthier eating, and stress management. Phoong's team brought together leaders from across Sacramento to build a group that supported critical funding for research and advocacy aimed at addressing the unique risks women face with CVD.
"This is what women supporting women really looks like," Phoong said. "When we show up for each other, our impact is bigger." She emphasized that small habits can make a significant difference: "Go for a walk. Make better choices. Small habits add up. That's how we take control of our health."
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 American Heart Association noted. Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association, highlighted the importance of such campaigns: "The Woman of Impact campaign brings the mission of Go Red for Women to life in communities across the country. Leaders like Phoong drive change by taking actions that help more women live longer, healthier lives."
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. The Go Red for Women movement, sponsored nationally by CVS Health, aims to increase women's heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change globally. For more information about the campaign and the movement, visit GoRedforWomen.org.
