Portantino to Honor Pasadena-Area Women as ‘Heroes of the Pandemic’

Five women from Pasadena, South Pasadena and Altadena — including Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh — are to be honored as ‘“Heroes of the Pandemic” by state Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, at a ceremony later this month.

The Women Heroes of the Pandemic Recognition Ceremony is being held virtually at 5 p.m. on May 26, Portantino’s office said in a written statement.

The goal is “to honor women throughout the 25th Senate District who have played an integral role in supporting their community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the statement.

“I’m proud to honor these exceptional women for their dedication to the health and safety of our communities,” Portantino said. “The pandemic created tremendous challenges for Californians and each of our honorees went above and beyond the call of duty to protect, serve and heal.

“Whether it was through their job, volunteer efforts, or community acts of kindness, our honorees embody the kind of strength, compassion, love, and leadership that we needed to get through these difficult times,” Portantino added.

Local honorees include:

• Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, for her contributions to public health during the pandemic.
• West San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline Williams of Pasadena. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, her team quickly turned their attention to meeting the needs of their students, families, special education administrators and transitioned to online support services and learning —including purchasing supplemental curriculum specifically designed to support distance learning for students with disabilities,” according to the statement from Portantino’s office.
• Altadena Mask Project Founder Rebecca Schmitt, for her efforts to organize more than 80 volunteers to make and distribute masks to medical staff and other frontline workers.
• South Pasadena Farmers Market Manager Carole Gallegos, for her work to keep the essential business open amid the pandemic.
• HUTdogs creative agency co-owner Marri Jill Finstrom, for her work to support nonprofits during the pandemic.

The honorees were nominated by peers, supervisors, community members, friends or family members, officials said.

More information, including a complete listing of the honorees, is available online at sd25.senate.ca.gov/news/2021-05-17/senator-portantino-honors-senate-district-women-heroes-pandemic.