WOODLAND >> Congressman John Garamendi and his Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) held his office’s annual Women of the Year Awards ceremony this week. At the event, held at Woodland Community College, three incredible Lake County women were honored for their contributions to the area.
“Today, we’re identifying and celebrating women who are outstanding leaders, women who have contributed to the betterment of their communities,” Garamendi said. “The women we honor today come from many backgrounds. Some are mentors in their profession. Others are tireless volunteers for charity. Every single one has made a real difference and transformed lives.”
The women from Lake County honored include:
Barbara Christwitz, Community Leader, Clearlake
Christwitz is the founder of Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, a non-profit organization that leads neighborhood clean ups of trash and debris. She is dedicated to making Clearlake a better place.
In addition to Citizens 4 Clearlake, Christwitz has been an active community member with an extensive volunteer resume. She volunteers for the Lake County Time Bank, Lake County Co-op, and is a coordinator of monthly Peace Prayer dances. Christwitz helped establish the Highlands Senior Service Center Garden, and is a leader in the Girl’s Circle sponsored by the Lake County Family Resource Center.
Christwitz has been a tutor specialist at Yuba Community College for the past ten years. She is an amazingly giving person with an inexhaustible spirit who takes pride in her community.
Gloria Flaherty, Child and Family Advocate, Kelseyville
Flaherty is the founding Director of the Lake Family Resource Center. Lake FRC is a family resource, referral and support center that has grown to serve 1,400 families and 4,500 individuals annually, acquired independent facilities and expanded programs over the years under her leadership.
As a member of the Kelseyville School Board, Flaherty helped establish the first Education Foundation in Lake County. She also assisted with the development and operation of a Domestic Violence Shelter in Lake County.
Flaherty has also served many years on First 5 and helped to secure funding for the Early Head Start program.
Two winters ago, Lake County experienced a severe drop in temperature that was adversely affecting the homeless population in Clearlake, Flaherty responded without delay and opened a ‘Warming Center’ at one of the Lake FRC locations to provide shelter and respite. Flaherty had no budget or supplies at the time, but she opened the doors of the center immediately, secured food donations, cots, volunteer staff and pulled it together because it was the right thing to do. The Warming Center remained open for two months until the weather abated and homeless families were spared additional suffering because of her Can Do spirit and responsive action.
Toni Scully, Leader in Agriculture, Advocate for Fair Farm Labor
A resident of Lake County for over 40 years, Scully shares in the ownership and management of Scully Packing Company which packs, stores, ships and markets pears grown by Lake, Sacramento Delta and Mendocino County families.
Scully is a strong advocate for the pear industry and farm labor reform. In 1996 following a revision in the Child Labor Code that would have prevented local teens from working during the pear season, Scully was the driving force behind pulling local leaders and the state senate to pass a bill that allowed Lake County teens to continue to work the harvest. This bill continues to be renewed annually today.
Scully cares deeply for her farm workers and their families as evidenced by her continuous efforts to educate and work with local, state and federal policy makers. In 2006, Scully made the front page of the New York Times when Lake County and farming communities across California were experiencing severe labor shortages during harvest. A proponent of a reformed Guest Worker program to improve the health and safety of migrant workers, she worked with U.S. State Dianne Feinstein in an attempt to pass the AgJobs bill.
Scully continues to advocate for a fair farm labor law that will provide agricultural employers with the stable, legal labor force they need while providing farm workers with the health and safety they deserve.
Following the award presentation, Congressman Garamendi facilitated a discussion with the 170 people in attendance on issues important to women.
“We’re here to focus on the policies of this nation that provide support and opportunity for women and families,” Garamendi added. “I want to make sure that women are encouraged from an early age to reach their true potential. I think Congress can help more young girls stick with their dreams and pursue a rewarding career in whatever field inspires them.”
Every year, the Office of Congressman Garamendi solicits nominations from the community for women who deserve to be acknowledged for their selfless work. WIN is Congressman Garamendi’s standing Advisory Committee focused on identifying issues important to women and families in the 3rd District and on solutions that Congressman Garamendi can take back to Washington.
