We didn’t do anything about outstanding women of the 57th district, but here is a list of local women who were honored by Assemblyman Ed Hernandez.

Reyna Diaz, 2008 Woman of the Year for the 57th Assembly District (Duarte)
Reyna Diaz is a member of the Duarte School Board.

Lisa Bailey, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Irwindale)

President and CEO of the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce since 2003.

Dr. Nancy Padilla, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (La Puente)

Only in her second year at Nogales High School, Dr. Padilla has successfully managed to refocus the mission of the school around two goals: increasing student achievement and creating a positive school culture.

Arline Payne, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (West Covina)

Although a resident of West Covina, she is well-known for her work with the Covina Womens Club, the Covina Historical Society, and the Covina Police Department.

Beverly Williams, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Covina)

As a member of the NAACP since she was 18, Beverly Williams has committed herself to serving her community through her extensive work with the San Gabriel Valley NAACP, including her efforts to revive the organizations once-thriving youth outreach. She is also a leader in her church, the Murph Chapel A.M.E. Church in Valinda.

Cecilia Bernal, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Baldwin Park)

Cecilia Bernal has dedicated her life to the young people in her community and providing services for the local residents of Baldwin Park.

Rosario Perez, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Azusa)

Rosario Perez has opened up her home and her life as a foster parent to 35 children over the years.

Maria Ramirez-Pico, 2008 Woman of Achievement for the 57th Assembly District (Bassett)

Maria-Ramirez Pico has been a strong source of support for education within her community for many years.

Ana Albarran, 2008 Emerging Leader Award for the 57th Assembly District

Only a sophomore in high school, she maintains a 4.5 GPA in rigorous honors courses while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Leadership in Harmony Conference, sports, and Teens for Humanity. She manages all of this while working a part-time job to help bring in extra money for her family.

 

Not to take anything away from any of the women, but this list makes me think of former Valley County Water Board member Dolores Holguin, who has since been forced to resign and is being investigated for allegedly misuing public funds. She was given an Outstanding Woman Award of the 24th district award by Sen. Gloria Romero for her service to the community, including on the Valley County Water District. Here’s an article Fred Ortega wrote about Holguin in November 2007. 

BALDWIN PARK – A local water board official has been censured for alleged misappropriation of funds and her refusal to resign her post.

The Valley County Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously to censure Director Dolores Holguin at a special meeting Thursday. The move forbids Holguin from receiving any further reimbursements from the district, even if the expenses are related to district business.

Holguin was not in attendance at the meeting.

Holguin, who is the subject of a Los Angeles County District Attorney’s investigation, has been accused by officials of improperly billing the district for more than $15,000 in cell phone, meal and medical expenses. The district has also filed a civil lawsuit against Holguin to recover the costs, and a trial is expected in the case sometime next year, said the water district’s attorney, Keith Lemieux.

“Because of what she has done she can no longer be trusted with the public’s money,” Lemieux said.

Holguin strongly disputed the charges in a statement read to the board by Margarita Vargas, her running mate in Tuesday’s district board elections. She argued that all of the reimbursements had been reviewed by the district’s previous attorney, who found nothing illegal took place.

“There has been no misappropriation, no intentional act of fraud on my part,” read the statement. “I believe all of my actions were appropriate under existing district policy and applicable state law.”