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Four “women of distinction” also honored
View video tribute: Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber Honors her Mom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Nash Weber - YouTube
East County News Service
April 7, 2023 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D., has selected her mother, California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, as the 79th Assembly district’s Woman of the Year. Dr. Weber previously served as Assemblymember for four terms before becoming Secretary of State.
Dr. Akilah Weber says, “Secretary Weber is the true embodiment of a `California Woman Making Herstory.’ Over her decades-long trailblazing career in public service, Secretary Weber has attained many accomplishments. She is a lifetime educator with a fierce belief in the power of education to change people’s lives. She served as a professor and the Department of Africana Studies chair at San Diego State University for nearly forty years. She authored landmark legislation such as the police use of force law, created the California Reparations Task Force, restored voting rights for formerly incarcerated persons, required ethnic studies as a graduating requirement at the Cal State school system, and so much more. She has been a dedicated public servant and has modeled a deep love and commitment to family.”
Secretary Weber was appointed to serve as California Secretary of State by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 22, 2020, and was sworn into office on January 29, 2021. She is California’s first Black Secretary of State and only the fifth African American to serve as a state constitutional officer in California’s 170-year history. She was re-elected to the office of Secretary of State in November 2022.
As part of the 79th Assembly District Community Recognitions Program, the following women were selected as Women of Distinction Honorees in four different categories:
Arts: Jennie Hamilton, resident of San Diego.
Jennie Hamilton is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of Community Actors Theatre, a
90+ seat venue located at 2957 54th St. in the Oak Park area of San Diego, CA. The theatre was founded in 1982 and became incorporated in 1984. The theatre serves many purposes in the community such as producing 6-7 plays a year, acting workshops classes for children, youth and adults, monthly “Open Mic”, an every-other-year cruise, annual Juneteenth, and several Bus Trips as “FUN OUTINGS” as well as, fundraisers for the theatre.
Education: Dr. Likaa Mohamad, resident of El Cajon
Dr. Likaa Mohamad is an early childhood educator working for All Kids Academy, a non-profit organization that serves the most vulnerable populations (families and children) residing in the San Diego Area. Inspired by the learning objectives of the Head Start organization, she educates her classroom children, their families, and communities to be the best versions of themselves by accepting their vulnerabilities, recognize their strengths, and knowing that differences are factors that put them together rather than divide them. She teaches them that a disability is not at all an ability; instead, it is an exceptional capability that adds to their uniqueness, celebrates their powers, and embraces their fragility in a way that turns it into a solidity. Dr. Mohamad is also a member of the San Diego County Office of Education’s Child Care and Development Planning Council, whose mission is to strengthen child care and development services.
Health Sciences: Natalie Borchardt, resident of San Diego
Natalie Borchardt is the Senior Program Manager for San Diego River Park Foundation. She is an environmental professional with over 20 years of experience and has worked to conceptualize, plan, and build trails and open space parks while protecting and conserving unique riparian San Diego habitat. She has a naturally outgoing and fun personality and loves engaging with the public, volunteers, staff, stake-holders and contractors. She is effective at planning, organizing, and executing projects. Working creatively and collaboratively to effectively solve problems is one of her many strengths.
Small Business: Sarajevo Petter, owner of Surf & Soul Spot in Rolando Village
San Diego native Sarajevo Amor Petty grew up on the Southeast part of town in a family of an amazing mom, 4 siblings in a home full of faith, fun, creativity and most of all love! She attended Oak Park Elementary before going on to the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts with a concentration in visual art. After graduating high school she went on to start a career in Culinary Arts for the Hyatt Corporation. After a 13 year career with Hyatt she had the opportunity to open Surf and Soul Spot as a popup kitchen that quickly gained a following! At the end of 2019 she was blessed to partner with Sergio Bailey and open as a full time brick & mortar restaurant. Through the trials and triumphs of the pandemic S and S flourished to become a San Diego favorite!
Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. represents California's 79th Assembly District, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley/La Presa, and parts of the cities of El Cajon and San Diego. Website of Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D: www.a79.asmdc.org.
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