Women Honored for Their Achievements at the 2013 Women of Distinction Recognition Luncheon

LOS ANGELES - March 19, 2013 - PRLog -- In honor of Women’s History Month, the 2013 Women of Distinction Recognition Luncheon held Friday, March 15, 2013, at the Holiday Inn Torrance was more than special.  The luncheon honored incredible women for their achievements.  These women are pillars in their communities, bringing change and enlightenment through their years of focused effort.  The event was put on by Senator Roderick D. Wright with the ongoing tradition of Women’s History Month  –  a tradition which began in the state capitol in 1987, and continues today in the Thirty-Fifth Senate District.  

The Thirty-Fifth Senate District straddles Interstate 710, including the inland portions of the South Bay. The district stretches from Inglewood in the north down to the Port of Los Angeles and the San Pedro neighborhood of  Los Angeles.  The main cities are Carson, Compton, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Torrance.

“Each March during Women’s History Month we celebrate remarkable women whose contributions improve the lives of so many Californians.  Each woman being honored has contributed to her community in significant ways, and has been chosen based on her continued service,” states Roderick D. Wright, Senator.

The list of achievements from these women are staggering; they range from holding political offices, being on the school board, offering outstanding public service, being in law enforcement, being local heroines, and even serving on the PTA.  The ceremony was an acknowledgment of the individual dedication and commitment of each woman.  Those honored were Bonnie Coronado (Lawndale), June Chavez (Inglewood), Madeline Cunningham-Colston (Hawthorne), Laura Espinoza (Wilmington), Mary Gant (Wilmington), Mary Louise Godoy (Compton), Shirley Graves (Carson), Mary Gutierrez (Wilmington), Dee Hardison (Torrance), Esther Hatch (Lomita), Harley Hoff (Wiseburn community), Ugema H. James (Inglewood), Dr. Kimberly C. Johnson (Long Beach), Dr. Lestean Johnson (Compton), Rachel C. Johnson (Gardena), Vernestine Kelley (Compton), Dr. Akida Kissane-Long (Watts), Dr. Laurie Love (Torrance), Charlotte Lynch (Gardena), Kelly Magee (Hawthorne), Ann M. Phillips (Lawndale), Desireé Rideaux (Inglewood), Diana Sanchez (Compton), Debbie Simpson Hays (Torrance), and Dr. Abimbola Williams–Ajala (Compton).

“It is with a sense of respect and celebration that we set aside today to recognize and pay tribute to these amazing women,” continues Roderick D. Wright.

Other distinguished guests who were in attendance that afternoon were Frank Scotto (Mayor, City of Torrance), Paul K. Tanaka (Mayor, City of Gardena), and Mike Gipson (Councilman, City of Carson).
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Wendy Raquel Robinson - Mistress of Ceremonies
Wendy Raquel Robinson plays the sport’s manager Tasha Mack on the BET series THE GAME.  She was also the six-year no-nonsense school principal on THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW.  Robinson has starred in Television, movies, and stage productions. She is the recipient and nominee of several prestigious awards, including Women of Courage Honoree.  Along with Robinson's many achievements, she is a cum laude  graduate of Howard University and a co-founder of the Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC), a theatrical training institute for at-risk teens.

Kaylene Peoples - Entertainment
Kaylene Peoples is a graduate from UCLA in Music with a Masters in Film Scoring.  She is a composer, orchestrator, film scorewriter, singer/instrumentalist, an award-winning filmmaker/director, and LA Music Awards producer.  She is the founder and Editor in Chief of the popular online magazine, AGENDA (www.agendamag.com); and the founder of Agenda Foundation, an accelerated film school for foster youth.  Kaylene Peoples debuted an excerpt from her upcoming One-Woman Play, RITE OF PASSAGE (a play about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry).  Because of her performance that afternoon Peoples was given the Senate Certification of Recognition for her “ . . . continuing service to the community as an inspiration to future generations of women to come.”  

“The honorees are an inspiration to me, delivering the message that we can all achieve greatness, whether it’s local in our communities or global . . . every effort counts,” says Kaylene Peoples.

Roderick D. Wright
Roderick D. Wright is a Democratic politician who represents California's 35th State Senate district. He previously represented the 25th district from 2008-2012.  Senator Wright was elected to the California State Assembly in 1996 representing the 48th Assembly District covering much of south Los Angeles County.  From 1998 until 2002, Wright served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce (U&C), which held legislative jurisdiction over electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, private water corporations and other issues related to commerce. Wright has been recognized for his work in the areas of public safety, education, energy and utilities, small business, family law, and consumer privacy.

“I praise the service these women provide in our communities, and I encourage them to continue their dedication, hard work, and advocacy for the residents of the Thirty-Fifth Senate District,” Asserts Roderick D. Wright.