LAKEPORT >> Gloria Flaherty has been honored as Lake County Woman of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District.
Assemblymember Bill Dodd honored one woman from each of the counties he represents who have made significant contributions in their respective communities.
Flaherty recently retired as Executive Director of Lake Family Resource Center after 19 years of service. As the founding Director of Lake Family Resource Center, she was influential in growing the organization to serve some 1,400 families and 4,500 individuals annually. Flaherty also helped secure funding for the Early Head Start Program, as well as the purchase and renovation of Freedom House, Lake County’s only domestic violence shelter.
“One thing that makes Lake County so special is its people, and Gloria is the ultimate example of that,” said Dodd. “She is a real inspiration, and we are truly lucky to have such compassionate and tireless advocates in our community.”
Over the years, Flaherty has been involved in numerous community activities and organizations, including past President of Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary Club, Board President of Kelseyville Unified School District, and Commissioner of First 5 Lake County. More recently she has served as the Chair of the Lake County Continuum of Care, and a Member of the Boards of North Coast Opportunities, Friends of Mendocino College, and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
“There are so many amazing and inspiring women in our county, and I am humbled to receive this recognition,” Flaherty said. “Serving the residents of Lake County has been so rewarding, and I want to recognize all of those people that made my work a labor of love.”
Flaherty has also been instrumental in numerous efforts associated with long term fire recovery in Lake County. Among her numerous recognitions, she received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lake County Child Care Planning Council.
Dodd represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, and Solano Counties.
