Shirley Hwong Named a "Woman of the Year" in the 29th Congressional District
| Tuesday, March 30, 2010 | Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 |
Shirley Hwong Named a “Woman of the Year” in the 29th Congressional District
Washington, D.C. – On Saturday at a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff honored Shirley Hwong for her commitment and service to Monterey Park by naming her a “Woman of the Year.”
“Shirley has made a tremendous difference in improving education for our kids,” said Schiff. “Her dedication to our schools and the countless hours she has spent raising money for local charities and non-profit organizations make her well deserving of being named a Woman of the Year.”
Shirley has lived in Monterey Park with her husband Leo for over thirty-five years. Shirley served on Monterey Highlands School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for more than ten years. She held the roles of PTA president and treasurer and did significant fundraising to help teachers and students. She was also involved in the Mark Keppel Alliance at Mark Keppel High School for four years and successfully fundraised for the Mark Keppel Band.
Shirley has proven to be invaluable in her ability to raise money for charitable causes. In 2005, she was a chair person of “City with a Heart" fundraising for Hurricane Katrina relief. They raised more than $55,000 to help the victims in New Orleans. She has also been quite active in raising money for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.
She was on the Monterey Park Community Relations Commission for eight years. For all eight years on the commission, she was the chair of the Harmony Festival Ball.
Shirley is currently a commissioner of the Sister Cities Commission and has been a chair person for the past two years. She helped raise money at last year’s Sister Cities International Mardi Gras Ball, of which over $7,000 was donated to the Monterey Park Fire Department for emergency laptops that were much needed. In 2008, she went to South Korean sister city Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea with eight other people from Monterey Park.
Shirley has served three terms as vice president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater San Gabriel Valley and is currently serving as a board member. Shirley was also active with the Monterey Park Rotary Club for five years.
Every March, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th 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.
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.