March 23, 2015

Rep. Adam Schiff Honors 2015 Women of the Year

Los Angeles, CA– On Friday, March 20, at a luncheon in Echo Park, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honored a group of inspiring women from communities in the 28th Congressional District –West Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Los Feliz, Sunland Tujunga (no hyphen), Glendale, Atwater Village, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta. This recognition is made each year during Women’s History Month.

“It was wonderful to meet with this group of remarkable women, and to recognize their outstanding work in our community,” said Rep. Schiff. “These women demonstrate the truth of the maxim that if you need something done, ask a busy person. Each has worked tirelessly to support a myriad of charitable, business and community causes, and made an indelible mark on our region. It was an honor to recognize them and to show our appreciation for their extraordinary service.”

Below is a full list of honorees from this year:

Lynn White-Shelby (Burbank), Kellye Nakahara Wallett (Pasadena), Renae Plant (Los Feliz), Tracy A. Stone (Elysian Valley), Jean Maluccio (La Crescenta), Seda Khojayan (Glendale), Ann Neilson (La Cañada Flintridge), Lynda Rescia (Silver Lake), Cheryl Ortega (Echo Park), Nadia Sutton (West Hollywood), Sandra Caravella (Atwater Village), and Susan B. Stewart (Sunland).

These honorees come from all backgrounds and professions and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our communities. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women to recognize who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.

Rep. Schiff entered a special tribute to each woman into the Congressional Record, which is also below, and presented these tributes to each woman. A photo from the event can be seen here.

A Tribute to Lynn White-Shelby– 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

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 a remarkable woman, Lynn White-Shelby of Burbank, California.

Lynn graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a major in physical education and science, and began her teaching career at Franklin High School in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, California. Ms. White-Shelby’s business career began in the Public Relations Department at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, where she was promptly promoted to Secretary to the President, and later as Assistant to the President and Assistant Director of the Postgraduate Department, developing the first Chiropractic Assistants program. Lynn then went on to work at ACCO Engineered Systems in Glendale, California, as Secretary to the President, which soon led to a management position as their Corporate Insurance and Safety Administrator.

Ms. White-Shelby is a dedicated volunteer. Upon retirement, she jumped right into volunteering at the learning center at the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, tutoring at the Main Club, and co-teaching a storytelling/acting class at Burbank’s Roosevelt Elementary School. She is also a devoted and giving member of the La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, serving on numerous committees, working at the Thrift Shop and is currently the First Vice President/President Elect. Lynn also served five terms as President of the Verdugo-Glen Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), where she has been a member for over three decades, and currently serves as the Education Chair, which awards scholarships to women students. In addition, Lynn serves as Vice Chairman on the City of Burbank’s Senior Citizen Board, and as Secretary on the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley’s Board of Directors.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Lynn White-Shelby.

A Tribute to Kellye Nakahara Wallett – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii, Ms. Nakahara moved to San Francisco in the 1960’s to establish herself as a professional artist, selling her watercolors of the San Francisco waterfront. In 1968, she married David Wallett and they moved to Los Angeles, where she began her career as an actress. Halfway through the first season of the popular television series “M*A*S*H”, she landed the role of “Nurse Kellye.” A renowned and award-winning artist who generously donates her artwork to many charitable organizations, Kellye’s artwork has been displayed in Pasadena City Hall, the California State Capitol, and in the White House, where at Congressman Schiff’s invitation; she painted a Christmas ornament for the official White House Christmas Tree in 2008.

Well-regarded as an enthusiastic and energetic community leader, Ms. Nakahara Wallett’s past volunteer service includes eight years on Pasadena’s Arts and Culture Commission, serving as an Ambassador for the Southern California Cherry Blossom Festival, and an Honorary Committee member and volunteer for the Latino Heritage Parade in Pasadena. She was also active in the American Diabetes Foundation, Neighborhood USA Conference, and the American Red Cross. Currently, she is a twenty-three year volunteer with The Sunshine Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer, and a frequent guest speaker for various Japanese reparation organizations. Kellye is the Artistic Director and Artist-in-Residence for the Towne Singers, sings with the California Philharmonic, and has been a long-time volunteer judge for Representative Schiff’s 28th Congressional District Art Competition Forum & Exhibit.

Long-time Pasadena residents, Kellye and her husband David, have two children, daughter Nalani, son William, and four grandchildren, David, William, Max and Grayson.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Kellye Nakahara Wallett.

A Tribute to Renae Plant– 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born in Eumundi, Queensland, Australia, Renae moved to the United States in 1994 with dreams of becoming an actor. After living in New York for six years, where she was a model and actor, she moved to Los Angeles in 2000, and established a management company, Nebula Management. Shortly after, she began a second business, a maternity tee shirt line. In 2007, Renae and her husband, Livinio, rescued the local preschool their daughter attended, Camelot Kids, located in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, which had been on the verge of permanent closure. After three months of meetings, the preschool was able to re-open its doors. Now eight years later, with Ms. Plant as the Director, the preschool is known for its warm, nurturing environment that encourages a natural love of learning, and is an award-winning school with a long waiting list.

An accomplished organizer, Renae has recently given her time and talent to the Thomas Starr King Middle School, where her daughter, Ilan attends the Environmental Magnet program. In 2014, she joined the Executive Board as Treasurer of Friends of King, a parent support and fundraising group for the school, and that same year, was instrumental in raising substantial funds that will be used to paint the entire school. She launched the “I Keep King Clean” project with a group of parents who clean the school and carry out other beautification tasks, and was ultimately successful in obtaining a professional cleaning service for the school. In addition, Ms. Plant has been a key force with upcoming efforts to decorate the perimeter fences at the school, the “Chain Link Art Gallery” project, and the upcoming renovation of the library and the gym.

Married for eleven years, Renae and her husband, Livinio, have three children, Ilan, Mateo and Deklan.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Renae Plant.

A Tribute to Tracy A. Stone– 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Tracy Stone received a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Cornell University in New York, a Master’s Degree in Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin, and in 1989, was licensed as an Architect by the State of California. In 1991, Ms. Stone opened her own firm, Tracy A. Stone Architect. The office has completed a variety of projects, including a ‘green’ teahouse, an animal shelter and a children’s dance studio.

Ms. Stone and members of her firm created and organized the annual “Frogtown Artwalk” in Elysian Valley, which started in 2006, as a small event showcasing the artists and artisans inhabiting the small commercial/industrial buildings along the Los Angeles River in Elysian Valley. It has grown into a full-scale community event that engages musicians from the surrounding areas, community organizations, local residents, as well as artists and artisans. The event has also featured various activities geared to parents and youth. The Frogtown Artwalk has traditionally celebrated the relationship between the Elysian Valley and the adjacent Los Angeles River, helping to bring interest as well as attention to a long forgotten resource. In 2008, Tracy Stone and Allen Anderson established a non-profit organization, the Elysian Valley Arts Collective, which manages and funds the annual artwalk, and which has allowed the event to grow in complexity and size.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Tracy A. Stone.

A Tribute to Jean Maluccio – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Jean is a savvy businesswoman who helps oversee the Maluccio Company, a local investment firm, but is best known for her unparalleled volunteerism that benefits the entire Crescenta Valley. Jean served as the Executive Director of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for more than 18 years, without pay, and continues to have an active role with the chamber as an advisor, and helps ensure the smooth operation of chamber events that include the Taste of the Foothills and Hometown Country Fair. She served as President of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1994, 1995, 2009 and 2010. Jean was also one of the founders of the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association, a nonprofit which organizes an annual 4th of July fireworks display, and works countless hours each year arranging for the carnival entertainment, handling site permits, working with security for the event and selling tickets.

Ms. Maluccio has also been actively involved with Prom Plus, where she was on hand to secure donations of food and serve food to guests at the organization’s 20th anniversary gala. She also gives of her time with Relay For Life, an annual 24-hour event held at Clark Magnet High School, where hundreds of people walk on the school field to raise funds to fight cancer. Jean not only obtains the donated food to feed the participants, but also stays for most of the 24 hours to ensure that the food is ready when needed. In addition, Jean also volunteers for the Glendale Police Department, working at the Montrose COPPS substation representing the department in many capacities and answering questions from the public.

A strong supporter of our nation’s military, Jean was a driving force in raising awareness and helped organize fundraisers for the refurbishment of the war memorial at Two Strike Park in La Crescenta.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Jean Maluccio.

A Tribute to Seda Khojayan – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Seda Khojayan immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 1976. Currently, she is a member of the Soroptimist International of Glendale, serves as a Commissioner on the City of Glendale Commission on the Status of Women, and on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Glendale. Mrs. Khojayan has been a dedicated member of the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., Inc. (ARS) for over three decades, serving on its Regional Executive Board for two terms and in the capacities of Chair, Treasurer and Advisor for the ARS Sepan Chapter in Glendale.

Seda uses her professional experience as a Programmer/Data Security Analyst for a major car manufacturer and education in Economics and Public Administration, to help plan and implement fundraising efforts, including grant writing, to help Armenian organizations such as the ARS secure funding for various philanthropic, educational and social projects for low income families and for the needy. She also served as a fundraising committee member of Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” Chapter, Homenetmen Navasartian Games & Festival, Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF), and for the City of Glendale, including the Unity Fest, Man’s Inhumanity to Man, and Relay For Life.

Throughout the years, Seda has received numerous awards, including the City of Glendale Commission on the Status of Women’s Jewels of Glendale Women of Courage Award in 2008, the ACF’s Community Service Award in 2013, and the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce’s Woman in Community Service Award in 2014. Mrs. Khojayan and her husband, Shirak, have two sons, Shaun, a federal criminal defense attorney, and Dikran, an industrial engineer, and one granddaughter, Lillian.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Seda Khojayan.

A Tribute to Lynda Rescia – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Lynda Rescia was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and attended Ludlow High School. She went on to study Communications with a specialization in Film at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. When Lynda moved to Los Angeles, California, she worked for a few years in the film industry in editing, and then for a commercial house working on television commercials.

In 1984, Lynda married Michael Miller, who is a freelance photographer, and had a son, Byron, in 1986. Ms. Rescia continued to work freelance on commercials until the birth of her daughter, Haviland, in 1988. Soon after, Lynda went back to school part time to complete a degree in Child Development, and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and received her teaching credential in 1994.

Ms. Rescia has been passionate about education for many years. She worked in the Pasadena Unified School District and did substitute work for the Los Angeles Unified School District, before she was hired by Ivanhoe Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher in 1995. Since then, she has remained at Ivanhoe Elementary School spending most of her years as a primary teacher, then as a coach/coordinator, and currently as Principal. Under her leadership, the school, which is well-known for its high level of parent involvement, was honored as a “California Distinguished School” in 2014, and has maintained its glorious reputation for academic excellence. In addition to dedicating herself to Ivanhoe Elementary School, Lynda has volunteered with The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Lynda Rescia.

A Tribute to Cheryl Ortega – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born in Los Feliz and raised in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, California, Ms. Ortega’s father’s family arrived in Echo Park from Massachusetts in 1917, hoping to be part of the early movie industry. Ms. Ortega attended Los Feliz Elementary School, Our Mother of Good Counsel School, Immaculate Heart High School and Immaculate Heart College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bilingual Teaching Credential in Spanish.

Cheryl has been passionate about education from a very young age. She has been a teacher for nearly half a century, and has been teaching in Echo Park at Logan Span School for over two decades. Ms. Ortega’s close association with the immigrant community has led her to actively advocate for people whose children she has taught in bilingual early education programs for almost 50 years. Along with her professional career, Cheryl is active and engaged in volunteering for the community and its schools. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of United Teachers Los Angeles, representing English Learner students and their teachers. She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Schools, Libraries, and Community Organizations of the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council, and has been a member of the Council through several different administrations.

Cheryl and her husband, John, have three children, John, Kristina and Sara, and five grandchildren, Danny, Jake, Amanda, Ben and Caleb.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Cheryl Ortega.

A Tribute to Nadia Sutton – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born in Brussels, Belgium, Nadia has led an interesting life both as an actress and an activist. She has traveled extensively and lived all over the world, including residing in Israel, France, Spain, England and the United States, where she moved in 1979. As an actress, Ms. Sutton has worked in theater, radio, television and film. Passionate about civil rights, she began her activism career by supporting the Algerian independence cause while in France, and in England by helping create an alternative radio station and working against the censure of a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) magazine.

Ms. Sutton has been involved in numerous organizations in the Los Angeles area with a primary focus on LGBT, women’s rights, and animal issues. For many years, she has organized protests, lobbied legislatively and fought against LGBT discrimination, and for marriage equality. Nadia served on the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board for twelve years, and is a Founding Board member of The Lavender Effect, a virtual museum dedicated to educating the public about the historical contributions of LGBT people, especially those from the Southern California area. She sits on the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board, on the Board of Directors of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and is active with C.I.T.Y. x1 (Community Intervention Through Youth), an organization dedicated to organizing free social events for LGBT youth. A devoted animal lover, she co-founded PAWS LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support), an organization dedicated to helping people living with AIDS keep their beloved animal companions, where she is currently serving as a Board member, and is a volunteer with Catnippers, an association that helps spay and neuter feral cats and kittens. Nadia resides in West Hollywood with her cat, Barnaby.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Nadia Sutton.

A Tribute to Sandra Caravella – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Born and raised in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles, Ms. Caravella attended Atwater Elementary School, Irving Junior High School and John Marshall High School. With the exception of a few years when she and her husband, Joe, also an Atwater Village native, resided in Michigan, Sandra has been a lifetime resident of Atwater Village, where she and Joe raised their family. While a young mother, Sandra volunteered at her sons’ school, Atwater Avenue Elementary School as a teacher’s aide, and became involved in the Parent Teacher Association. When her youngest son was six years old, she took a part time job at the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau working as a registration supervisor at conventions, seminars and trade shows, where she remained for over two decades.

Well-regarded in her community, Ms. Caravella is a passionate and dedicated volunteer. She is a founding member and current Board member of the Friends of Atwater Village (FAV), whose first venture was to successfully save the historic Van de Kamp Bakery building. As a FAV Board member, Sandra has been instrumental in attaining grants for community beautification projects that include murals illustrating the area’s history, flower containers, and a decorative gate at the Los Angeles River and Acresite Street. With three other FAV Board members, she produced calendars featuring local history and a book entitled: Images of America: Atwater Village. Ms. Caravella is a member of the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce, was the chamber’s project manager of the sign committee, and serves on the Tree Lighting and River Committees for the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council.

Married for nearly half a century, Sandra and her husband, Joe, have two sons, Jeff and Brian, two grandsons, Vincenzo and Nico, all of whom live in Atwater Village.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Sandra Caravella.

A Tribute to Susan B. Stewart – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born and raised in Vermont, Susan Bishop moved to the Sunland-Tujunga area in the late 1990’s, and in 2010, she married Richard Stewart. Well-regarded in her community, Susan is involved in numerous organizations where she puts her superior organizing skills to good use. Ms. Stewart is on the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the chamber’s Spring Carnival Committee, and has served on the Nomination Committee, By-Laws Committee and Marketing and Membership Committee. Susan is a Founding Board member and current Board member of the Sunland-Tujunga-Shadow Hills Community Fund whose mission is to support student programs at Verdugo Hills High School and the local newspaper, Voice of the Village, and is on the fund’s Fireworks Festival Committee. In addition, she is an active member of the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club, has served as President and Secretary, and continues to help with many of their annual events, including Winterfest and the Fourth of July Parade. Past President and Past Secretary of Renaissance Speakers Toastmasters Club, Past Secretary of District 52 of Toastmasters International, she is currently an Ambassador for the organization.

With a long career as a management consultant, specializing in the areas of ethics, expansion and establishment, Susan assists with the management of her husband’s painting contracting business in Sunland. Ms. Stewart is an avid horsewoman, and has taught horseback riding for many years, and one of her greatest joys is riding on the trails in the beautiful Sunland-Tujunga foothills.

Between Susan and Richard, they have four children: Moriah, Thoreau, Jake and Justin, and two grandchildren: River Jane and Elliot.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Susan B. Stewart.

A Tribute to Ann Neilson – 28^th Congressional District Woman of the Year

Monday, March 16, 2015

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Manhattan Beach, Ms. Neilson and her husband, Bob, have lived in La Cañada Flintridge for over fifty years. Well-regarded as a straightforward, tireless community leader, Ann is involved in numerous charitable organizations in La Cañada Flintridge. She has been a Docent at the Lanterman House for over two decades, and is a past and present Board member. She is active in the Assistance League of Flintridge (ALF), a nonprofit service organization of volunteers committed to serving the needs of the community through philanthropic programs developed and administered by its members. Ms. Neilson was Chair of the College Application Essay Committee, Chair of the Retired Service Volunteer Committee, a volunteer at the Bargain Box Thrift Shop, and a member of the Budget Committee. Ann’s current project with ALF is Chair of their impressive Summer School program for La Cañada Flintridge children grades one through eight, a project that the league subsidizes.

Another organization that is near and dear to her heart, Ann has been active in the Girl Scouts of America for nearly forty-six years. She served as a Leader, was President of the Mt. Wilson/Vista Girl Scout Council for six years, Director and Co-Director of two Girl Scout Day Camps in La Cañada Flintridge, and Co-Organizer of the 100^th Anniversary Girl Scout Float for the 2012 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Ms. Neilson is also very involved in the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association, established in 1979, where she is a Founding Member. The association has produced volunteer-made floats for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parades for nearly four decades, winning awards in the majority of the parades. She served as President for three years and now serves as Past President.

Married for nearly sixty years, Ann and Bob have four children, Beth, Karen, Nancy and Jim, and one grandchild, Emily.

I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Ann Neilson.

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