MARYSVILLE, Calif. – On Wednesday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) honored 14 extraordinary women – including two from Lake County – at his inaugural “Women of the Year” ceremony.
The event, which took place in Marysville, celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of women in the Third Congressional District who improve local communities, strengthen the economy and change lives for the better.
Two women from Lake County were honored at the event: Denise Rushing, the District 3 members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors and economic strategist from Upper Lake, and Michelle Scully, educator and agriculture and economic development advocate from Lakeport.
“The women we are honoring today were nominated by the community for their substantial contributions to the Third District. It is inspiring to represent women this driven and determined to make a difference,” Congressman Garamendi said.
Also honored Wednesday were Pat Ash, city council member and preservationist, Williams; Gloria Estrada, veteran advocate and peace activist, Williams; Mary Grimmer, school and community volunteer, Arbuckle; Lee Ann Grigsby-Puente, flood protection advocate, Hamilton City; 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; Deborah Eernisse, fitness instructor, mentor and volunteer, Davis; Gloria Partida, advocate for restorative justice and anti-bullying activist, Davis; Linda Plummer, health care advocate, arts supporter and community volunteer, Marysville; Lonetta Riley, educator and school district trustee, Yuba City; Nicole Montna Van Vleck, rice grower and industry leader.
About the Lake County honorees
Rushing is known for her work in local government as a business growth strategist.
With a background in energy technology and digital marketing, she helps changemakers innovate, create and enter new markets consistent with their values. She has generated grassroots momentum to find renewable and regenerative solutions to environmental problems.
In 2006, after living in Lake County for just 18 months, Rushing was elected to the Board of Supervisors in one of the most transformative elections in Lake County history as her platform of justice and environmental stewardship resonated with voters.
Lake County’s economic evolution over seven and a half years is a testament to Rushing's leadership and is evidenced by California’s Green Summit Environmental Leadership Award two years in a row.
One project is the largest public solar installation in the western United States; the other, “appropriate tech” park structures constructed with volunteer labor and all local and natural materials.
Rushing was instrumental in transforming a blighted trailer park into an eco-park, and a leading advocate in bringing the county’s first four-year educational institution to Lucerne.
She has been passionate about finding healthy solutions for improving water quality in Clear Lake and has worked collaboratively on local boards and committees, including one that brought traditional agriculture and the organic community together in a “food roundtable.”
Rushing is credited for effected lasting, sustainable change in Lake County and for the people who live here.
Scully has a 20-year history of service to Lake County, particularly in the areas of education, agriculture and economic development.
When Scully and her husband relocated to Lake County as he went to work in the family’s pear packing and farming businesses, she quickly immersed herself in community activities.
She was appointed to an advisory board tasked with researching the divisive issue of genetically modified crops. She also served on the steering committee that developed Lake County AgVenture, a program to educate community leaders on the importance of agriculture in Lake County.
To address the issue of hunger, Michelle organized a very successful Bountiful Gift Box fundraiser for the county’s Hunger Task Force.
She brings creativity and solid business ideas to the table of the Regional Economic Development Committee with a style that keeps community members excited and engaged in realizing opportunities.
She was a member of the advisory council appointed to be a driving force behind the opening of Marymount California University’s Lakeside Campus, and now serves as the campus’s inaugural executive director.
Scully has weathered storms, professional and personal, with infinite grace and a smile on her face. When she fell and broke her back riding her horse on their ranch, she dragged herself – using only her arms – a quarter mile home where she laid on the floor until her husband arrived and insisted on taking her to the emergency room.
Once home from surgery she missed just three lectures of teaching her biology class at Mendocino College, where she is still an instructor.
Scully personifies grit – she is able to work hard, overcome adversity, and bring long-term passions and community goals to fruition.
Discussion on challenges for women in workforce held
Following the Wednesday ceremony, participants joined in a roundtable discussion on the unique challenges faced by women in the workforce.
The women and their guests broke up into eight groups to discuss ways to overcome the gender wage gap and the value of bringing more women into the workforce.
As in previous events focused on the challenges faced by women, the need for flexibility in hours to balance work and family life was a common concern raised.
Other topics discussed include the need to:
– Mentor women at every level of educational achievement;
– Enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace;
– Pass legislation that guarantees family and parental leave;
– Offer expanded support to empower women who are discouraged by their families from attending college and pursuing careers;
– Preserve women’s reproductive rights and autonomy over bodies,
– Understand that words carry implicit and explicit meaning in our society and that so many regular terms are patriarchal at their root;
– Recognize that subtle discrimination still exists at all levels of society; and
– Encourage more successful women to help women beginning their careers to break the glass ceiling.