Schiff Honors La Crescenta Woman During Women's History Month

Yesterday, at a luncheon in Los Feliz, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honored inspiring women from communities in the 28th Congressional District – Hollywood, West Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Los Feliz, Sunland–Tujunga, Glendale, Atwater Village, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta.

This recognition is made each year during Women’s History Month.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to meet with the 2013 ‘Women of the Year’ awardees today and to recognize their outstanding work and community leadership,” said Rep. Schiff. “Each woman honored today has demonstrated an ability to help others, to work tirelessly for an important cause and to make our communities a better place."

Schiff entered a special tribute to each woman into the Congressional Record:

I rise today in honor of Women’s History Month.  Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation’s women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District.

I would like to recognize an exceptional woman, Mary Gant, of La Crescenta, California, a true leader in the La Crescenta-Montrose and La Cañada Flintridge communities.

Mary was active in the Mountain Avenue Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in La Crescenta, receiving their Honorary Service Award, and the Rosemont Middle School PTA in La Crescenta, serving as President, where she was honored with the PTA Continuing Service Award. 

Well-known throughout the area for her energetic, friendly and positive attitude, Mary has organized many key events for various charitable organizations.  She coordinated the silent auction for the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual meetings, was a Chamber Ambassador and serves on the city’s Fiesta Days parade committee every year.  A driving force in many Kiwanis Club of La Cañada projects, Maryco-foundedthe “Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting” event in coordination with the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Endowment Fund, and helped with the Kiwanis Club’s Soap Box Derby event registration process for many years.  Ms. Gant was also President of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association, served on the fund-raising committee for the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA and assists with the YMCA’s Annual Prayer Breakfast. 

Mary is devoted to her church, the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church.  She served as a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, was active in the Youth Program, is on the Personnel Committee and is an ordained Deacon and Elder.

Some of the awards Ms. Gant has received include the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada’s Distinguished Service Award, the Gil Smith Award, and the La Cañadan of the Year Award.  In addition she received the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award and the Les Tupper Community Service Award from the La Cañada Flintridge Coordinating Council.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring a truly remarkable woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Mary Gant.

Every year, during Women’s History Month, Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 28th Congressional District. These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.

Below is a full list of all the honorees this year:

Mel Culpepper (Hollywood)

Heidi Shink (West Hollywood)

Sylvia Sutton (Burbank)

Dr. Gail Schaper-Gordon (Pasadena)

Stephanie Vendig (Silver Lake)

Rosie Betanzos (Echo Park)

Ceci Dominguez (Elysian Valley)

Nyla Arslanian (Los Feliz)

Cindy Cleghorn (Sunland–Tujunga)

Dr. Armine Hacopian (Glendale)

Paula Devine (Glendale)

Grace Yoo (Atwater Village)

Rahla Hall Lindsey (La Cañada Flintridge)

Mary Gant (La Crescenta).