Watts, a physician at Kaiser Permanente’s Glendale office, was chosen for her advocacy of women’s health issues. Garside, a Glendale resident, was chosen for her leadership in starting LKG-CMC Inc., a Glendale-based transportation engineering firm with offices across the United States.
Remarks from Honorary Jewel and Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass were projected on two giant screens on each side of the hall. As the first African American woman speaker of the California State Assembly, Bass described how she reached her position.
“When I was sworn in as speaker of the Assembly, I knew I got there because I stood on the shoulders of others,” Bass said.
Also recognized as an Honorary Jewel was Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run, a nonprofit dedicated to building self-esteem in young women through training for a 5K event. Barker gave an emotional acceptance speech describing one young woman’s experiences.
Commissioners and event co-chairwomen Grace Walker and Marie Lemelle welcomed guests and gave a brief history of the commission. Commission Chairwoman Paula Devine was introduced and she introduced her fellow commissioners, Vice-Chairwoman Elizabeth Manassarian, Linda Pillsbury, Ketefian, yours truly and student ex-officio commissioners Talar Malakian and Jill Maracut.
City VIPs attending were Councilman Frank Quintero and wife, Jani; City Manager Jim Starbird, Assistant City Manager Bob McFall, Deputy City Manager Yasmin Beers, Administrative Analyst Lana Haddad, Senior Assist. Atty. Lucy Varpetian, Glendale Community College Supt./President Audre Levy, Vice President of Instruction Dawn Lindsay and Human Resources Associate Vice President Vicki Nicholson.
