Rep. Chu to Host 2015 Women of Distinction Awards

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) announced the names of 14 women from across the San Gabriel Valley who will receive the 2015 Women of Distinction Award. The award, now in its 6th year, will be given out at a ceremony on April 18, 2015. Rep. Chu, who will speak at the event and recognize the honorees, released the following statement:

“I am so proud of the honorees and their incredible contributions to our district. This year’s women are teachers, executives, scientists, activists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, volunteers, and professionals. Each was nominated by somebody in their community in recognition and appreciation of their hard work. And with this award each year, I look forward to this opportunity to express our appreciation as well.”

The 2015 Women of Distinction Awards will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at San Marino Center, 1800 Huntington Dr., in San Marino.

The 2015 Honorees are:

• Teresa Ybarra (Alhambra) – President, Alhambra Latino Association; former teacher for the Alhambra Unified School District

• Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs (Altadena) – President/CEO of Aspire West, Pasadena Student Success Center; Former Vice President of Instruction at Pasadena City College (PCC)

• Diane Lucas (Arcadia) – Teacher at Arcadia Unified School District for over 38 years; volunteer and leader with Church of Good Shepherd; Member of Assistance League of Arcadia

• Darlene Kuba (Bradbury) – President/CEO, Kuba and Associates; Member of the Bradbury Planning Commission; Serves on LA Fashion District Business Improvement District Board of Directors and Board of Los Angeles County Trade-Technical College Foundation Board of Directors

• Dr. Marilee Scaff (Claremont) – 99 year old resident of Pilgrim Place, former teacher, community leader, activist, and volunteer. Marilee was the first and only woman on a faculty of 35 men within the School of Education at the University of Iowa

• Dalel Snider (Glendora) – Owner, Glendora Florist; Owner of Los Angeles Floral Couture in Beverly Hills; Executive Board of the Glendora Business Improvement District

• Susan Hirsch (Monrovia) – Director, Quest Academy Community Day School at Monrovia Unified School District

• Lisa Yang (Monterey Park) – President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Greater San Gabriel Valley; Co-producer/director of videos on public safety and domestic violence, Monterey Park Police Department; Commissioner, Monterey Park Arts and Culture Commission

• Linda Offray (Pasadena) – Founder/CEO, Shepherd’s Door; Member of the Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles

• Shoghig Yepremian (Pasadena) – Chair, ANCA-Pasadena; Zoning Hearing Officer for the City of Pasadena; serves on the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Project Committee (PAGMC)

• Kathay Feng (San Gabriel) – Executive Director, California Common Cause; former head of the Voting Rights and Anti-Discrimination Unit at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center

• Nam Sun Paik Jack (San Marino) – Board Member, San Marino Unified School District; President of San Marino Tennis Foundation and San Marino National Little League

• Carol Calandra (South Pasadena) – Case manager/Veterans Center Specialist, Pasadena City College (PCC) Veterans Resource Center; Founded the Band of Sisters monthly lunch at PCC; President of Veterans Club at PCC

• Cynthia Sternquist (Temple City) – City Councilmember, City of Temple City; Los Angeles County Library Commissions; Temple City liaison to the Chamber of Commerce; Temple City Community Services/Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 18 years; Temple City Planning Commissioner; Governing Board Member of Foothill Transit