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Editor's Pick, Trailblazer: Sandra Maas Longtime television journalist Sandra Maas has been making news of her own in recent years, suing McKinnon Broadcasting Co., former owners of KUSI-TV, for pay inequity and retaliation. Maas claimed the station fired her after she complained she was making far less than her male co-anchor. The jury agreed, awarding her nearly $1.8 million, and the judge later awarded her attorneys millions more in fees. Even before the verdict was read, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria named Maas the city-wide "Woman of Distinction," later recognizing her during a ceremony in City Council chambers. "It's fitting that today, which is Equal Pay Day, we're honoring someone who stood up for equal pay not just for herself but for all women," he said. Maas, who is board president of the Women's Museum of California, also earned an Emmy for her video series Trailblazing Women, which focuses on those who have broken barriers. Although McKinnon Broadcasting, which sold KUSI to Nexstar Media Group recently, has indicated it will appeal the verdict, Maas remains undaunted despite her four-year-plus legal battle. "From the very beginning, I had faith in the justice system, the merits of my case, and my incredible team of lawyers," she says. "Though brutal at times, this years-long fight showed me that silence is never the answer. Your voice is a powerful tool. Nothing changes if you watch from the sidelines and stay silent."