LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two Lake County women have been named to a distinguished group that Congressman John Garamendi will honor this month as part of the Third Congressional District's “Women of the Year” celebration.
Supervisor Denise Rushing and Marymount California University Lakeside Campus Executive Director Michelle Scully will receive the honors along with 12 other women at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The ceremony will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St. in Marysville.
Prior to the ceremony, Garamendi will host a roundtable conversation on women in the workplace.
Garamendi honored the group of honorees in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives this week.
“Through their work and volunteerism, these women have all vastly improved the quality of life in their communities,” Garamendi said.
The 14 Women of the Year honorees, he said, are “exemplary examples of sacrifice and devotion.”
For nearly eight years, Rushing has served as the District 3 representative in the Lake County Board of Supervisors.
A Stanford-educated engineer with a background in energy and technology, Rushing – in addition to her work as a county supervisor – is an economic strategist who also farms organic walnuts in Upper Lake with her partner, Loretta McCarthy. Rushing has a grown son and daughter.
She said she is both honored and humbled by the recognition.
“Any accomplishments attributed to me were obviously not done alone, and most would not be possible without the support of the board and many volunteers who care,” she said. “I extend my gratitude to those who nominated me and to Congressman Garamendi who has always been supportive.”
Scully is an educator, economic development advocate and an agriculturalist. Her family owns Scully Packing, and she and her husband, Pat, have two sons. They live near Lakeport.
She has been instrumental in opening Marymount California University's Lakeside Campus, acting as its executive director. Marymount is the first four-year university to open a campus in Lake County.
“I was so surprised to learn I was being recognized by Congressman John Garamendi as one of his Women of the Year for the Third district. Over the years I've watched and learned from so many passionate, involved, caring women (and men) in our community,” said Scully.
She added, “I've worked alongside so many people who work tirelessly for our community – out of love and the belief that this is an amazing place and with dedication towards making it even more amazing with their efforts and commitment to so many of the important issues we face. It's an honor to have been recognized and something I hope to continue to work towards and live up to. This community won my heart when we first moved here, and it continues to do so every day since.”
In addition to Rushing and Scully, the following women will be honored at the Sept. 24 ceremony:
– Colusa County: Pat Ash, city council member and preservationist, Williams; Gloria Estrada, veteran advocate and peace activist, Williams; Mary Grimmer, school and community volunteer, Arbuckle.
– Glenn County: Lee Ann Grigsby-Puente, flood protection advocate, Hamilton City.
– Solano County: Marci Coglianese, municipal law attorney, former city official and land use advocate, Rio Vista; Samina Masood, advocate to end poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse, Fairfield; Dr. Frances Nelson, librarian, educator and literacy advocate, Fairfield;
– Yolo County: Deborah Eernisse, fitness instructor, mentor and volunteer, Davis; Gloria Partida, advocate for restorative justice and anti-bullying activist, Davis.
– Yuba County: Linda Plummer, health care advocate, arts supporter and community volunteer, Marysville.
– Sutter County: Lonetta Riley, educator and school district trustee, Yuba City.
– Sutter and Sacramento counties: Nicole Montna Van Vleck, rice grower and industry leader.
In his comments on the floor of the House this week, Garamendi noted, “The success that these women have had in their lives translates directly to the success of their communities. The correlation is undeniable. When women succeed, our communities succeed, our states succeed. When women succeed, America succeeds.”
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