Valarie Gomez Named a "Woman of the Year" In the 29th Congressional District
| Friday, March 28, 2008 | Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 |
Valarie Gomez Named a “Woman of the Year” In the 29th Congressional District
Washington, D.C. – Today at a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff honored Valarie Gomez for her commitment and service to San Gabriel by naming her a “Woman of the Year.” “Valarie’s generosity, approachability, and efficiency are the reasons she is so highly respected in the San Gabriel community,” said Schiff. “Valarie has been an exceptional mentor helping neighborhood children learn the value of hard work. Her dedication to empowering others to succeed and her selfless service to the San Gabriel community make her well deserving of being named a Woman of the Year.” Ms. Gomez was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley and attended both Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes and Loyola Marymount University. There she tackled the formidable combination of double majors in English and Business Administration, as well as double minors in Philosophy and Religious Studies. She and her husband Carlos have three children, including two daughters and one son. Ms. Gomez and her husband first immersed themselves in the local community by opening Bob’s Old Fashioned Freeze in 1983. Children and adults alike would flock to the establishment for the ice cream, sandwiches, and friendliness of the owners. It was at that time that Ms. Gomez learned the importance of showing youth their true potential. Her sweet-toothed patrons have since become responsible community leaders and still keep in touch. After owning and operating the family business for several years, Ms. Gomez turned her attention to community outreach. She rose to Executive Director of Children’s Ministries at San Gabriel Union Church and Christian School, founded its After-School Day Care program, served as the Executive Director of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, and led the Gabrielino High School Career Partners program. Ms. Gomez is also the two-time past President and current member of the San Gabriel Rotary, is a volunteer for various Kiwanis and Asian Youth Center events, and is a member of the San Gabriel Coordinating Council and the Parks & Recreation Commission. The 25-year San Gabriel resident recently became the CEO of the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA after only 17 months with the organization. She showed an enterprising attitude from the start and approached challenges with optimism and energy, leading to a doubling in profit compared to the previous year, newly rebuilt community relations, and the largest Service Club department in the nation. 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.
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.