Senator Anthony J. Portantino hosted the annual 25th State Senate District Women in Business Legislative Update & Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Castaway in Burbank.

“It is my privilege to recognize the accomplished women of the great 25th Senate District,” said Senator Portantino. “I look forward to honoring our deserving honorees for their successful service that touches all of us in such a positive way.”

The event honored local women who have contributed to the economic vitality and diversity of the 25th Senate District. Women in Business also celebrated women who have contributed to the greater good of the community. According to the office of the 25th Senate District, these honorees inspire others, stimulate our workforce, and lead some of the most impressive non-profits, healthcare organizations and businesses across with 25th Senate District.

“Hopefully, it’s not my last Women in Business. I’ve been excited by this event since I attended it as a councilmember 20 years ago, when Assemblymember Jack Scott first started to host it. It’s a great way to meet, learn about and network with successful businesswomen and non-profit leaders across the district. I think the best part of the event is watching the honorees meet and get to know each other. Bringing so many talented people together for an afternoon has a limitless quality to it.”

The Senator’s office received several hundred nominations from the community, making the 25th Senate District team’s decision-making the most difficult yet. Every one of the laudable women nominated by their peers, co-workers, family and friends is deserving of special recognition.

Among the honorees was CV Weekly publisher Robin Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy started the CV Weekly in 2009 and since Sept. 10, 2009 has delivered the newspaper to local homes and high-pedestrian public spaces.

“I was extremely proud to have been able to honor such a talented and accomplished group of women who were nominated by their colleagues, friends and family. Robin has been shining a light on the Crescenta Valley for so long and it was particularly important to shine a light on her. And our keynote speaker [Dr. Laurie Leshin] capped the day in a very inspirational way.”

This year’s honorees are: Robin Goldsworthy, Isabel Gutierrez, Janet Benjamin, Lydia Grant, Mary Cutone, Kora Guoyavatin, Yvette Vartanian Davis, Carol Flynn, Dr. Mary Frintner, Claudine Hager, Aida Dimejian, Christy Schilling, Lusine Simonyan, Jenny Choi, Patricia Blanche, Josefina B. Solomonson, Gloria Salas, Melissa Chalsma, Jennifer Audette, Elisabeth King, Leslie Ito, Melanie Buttarazi, Corky O’Rourke, Marilyn Yang, Dr. Laura Sirott, MD, Kerry Morrison, Becky Cheng, Rita Fernandez Loof, Judee Kendall, Connie Chung Joe, Candice Dickens-Russell, Anahid Oshagan, Denise Verret, Seda Khojayan, Anastasia Mann, Nadia Geller, Marvel Ford, Lilit Odabashian, Jamie Keyser, Kathleen Travers and Ellen Daigle.

Photos by Mary O’KEEFE
and the Office of State Senator A. Portantino