Congresswoman Honors Glendora Women

     Glendora's Vicki Brown, Jan Alvarado, and Carol Facciponti-Malcolm were among 24 women from the East San Gabriel Valley honored by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano Friday for their roles as volunteers for a variety of charities and agencies.

     The 2014 Women of the Year awards luncheon for “unsung heroines” was held at the Azusa Woman’s Club. The congresswoman representing the state’s 32nd district has been holding such luncheons since 1992.

    Vicki Brown, pictured here, is the founder and CEO of Sowing Seeds for Life, a La Verne-based charity. Started in 2007 as a regional food bank, Sowing Seeds for Life (SSFL) has become a multifaceted organization that not only conducts twice-a-month food pantries at 1350 Arrow Highway but also offers many other services, including job counseling and in some cases job placement.

   Other honorees were Rose Berdin of La Puente, Sylvia Champion of San Dimas, Susan Davis of San Dimas, Ofelia De Guzman of Baldwin Park, Madeline Escarcega of La Puente, Sonia Fernandez of El Monte, Mayra Galicia of El Monte, Ana Gutierrez of El Monte, Denise Gutierrez of La Verne, Dense Patton of West Covina, Maggie Ramirez of El Monte, Willa Reynolds of Baldwin Park, Gloria Romero of Azusa, Anita Ron of West Covina, Shana Sanchez of Azusa, Beatriz Sandoval of Baldwin Park, Patricia Sipos of La Puente, Joanne Spring of Monrovia, Dr. Kimlin Tam Ashing from the City of Hope, Vicke (cq) Thrower of Monrovia and Janet Wickersham of Azusa.

     The emcee at Friday’s luncheon was University of La Verne President Dr. Devorah Lieberman. The keynote speaker at Friday’s luncheon was Dr. Barbara Robinson, a Citrus College trustee who emphasized the importance of volunteerism not only for those on the receiving end but also for those giving. Robinson said that volunteer work not only gives one a sense of purpose but also, as doctors have found, can improve one’s health.