Two women who’ve made a mark in West Hollywood were honored as 2014 Women of the Year in the 28th Congressional District.
At a Women’s History Month luncheon in Hollywood on Tuesday, Rep. Adam Schiff recognized 13 women from various communities in his district. Among them were longtime WeHo resident Ruth Williams, the director of advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA), and Drian Juarez, a transgender community activist who serves on WeHo’s Transgender Advisory Board.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to meet with the 2014 Women of the Year awardees, and to recognize their outstanding work and community leadership,” said Rep. Schiff, according to a press release. “They serve as a shining example of service … and it was wonderful to recognize their extraordinary work and capabilities.”
Schiff entered a special tribute to each woman into the Congressional Record:
Ruth Williams
“Ms. Williams is one of the original founders of the City of West Hollywood. Incorporated in 1984, West Hollywood has been her home for over sixty years. Her history of activism and volunteerism in West Hollywood is astonishing …
“As Director of Advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA), Ms. Williams has first-hand knowledge of the need for providing social services in the community. She strives to educate the community about current issues such as child abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence, teen bullying, and human rights, as well as advocate for domestic violence shelter funding.”
Drian Juarez
“For the past 6 years, Ms. Juarez has served as Program Manager of the Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP) at the Legal Services Department of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. She has demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial skills and passion for empowering clients who are struggling with immigration, employment, and race issues due to their gender identity.
“TEEP, in conjunction with Trans-Unity Pride, held its first job fair in 2008. Since then, TEEP has collaborated with the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on a yearly job fair.… Ms. Juarez has presented over 400 transgender cultural competency trainings to thousands of people.”
The City of West Hollywood recognized the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles with a Rainbow Key Award earlier this month; Juarez was a Rainbow Key honoree last year.
The other 28th Congressional District 2014 Women of the Year honored by Schiff were: Alexandra Helfrich (Burbank), Alice Steere Coulombe (Pasadena), Barbara Ferris (Los Feliz), Blaire Lennane (Elysian Valley), Cheryl Davis (La Crescenta),Christy Schilling (Glendale),Martha Burns (La Cañada Flintridge), Nadine Trujillo (Silver Lake), Elizabeth Garo (Echo Park), Shelli-Anne Couch (Atwater Village) and Sonia Tatulian (Tujunga).
Congrat to Ruth and Drian, two really great friends and two really great people. Part of the fun of going to all the meetings is the chance to see both of you in action. Ruth on Public Safety and Drian on the Transgender Board. And.. because its all one degree of separation in WeHo.. the Transgender Job Fair was held at the NCJW offices and it was a pleasure to attend and watch both of you work together!