May 12, 2016
LAWT News Service
The power couple of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson and Mrs. LeCresha Gipson welcomed about 300 guests on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Wilmington Senior Center to honor local women for their unselfish commitment to improving the lives of others.
“These talented and humble women quietly achieve great things in the service of others,” said Assemblymember Gipson. “They have exhibited resiliency and a spirit of generosity that undoubtedly comes from hard work and faith.”
This year’s theme was “Balancing the Minds of Women: Women in Leadership.” First Lady LeCresha Gipson, introduced by 64AD Commissioner Jacquelyn Badejo, welcomed the guests and said, “We recognize that there can be day-to-day physical and emotional challenges for all of us, particularly women. Feeding our spirit and tending to our health is critical to our well-being. The key is balance.”
The Mistress of Ceremony was Sunny Zia, Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees and the greeting was given by Lisa Berglund. The Pledge of Allegiance was administered by Harmony Holloway and Shirley Graves gave the Invocation. Minister Gail Stansell delivered a rousing and motivating Keynote Address incorporating the theme of “balance.”
Asm. Gipson shared a legislative update before the presentations to the honorees. They included Mattie Adams-Robertson, founding Principal Compton Early College High School and Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy; Raquel Beltran, Associate Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs; Medel Briggs-Malonson, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.H.S., Medical Director of Quality, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital; Sergeant Krista Crocker, California Highway Patrol; Cynthia Gonzalez, MPH, PhD., Asst. Professor, College of Science and Health MPH Program in Urban Health and Asst. Director, Division of Community Engagement, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; Cynthia Hawkins, Hawkins House of Burgers; Irene Huerta, Assistant to President, International Longshore Warehouse Union Local 13; Alma Ortiz, Hojas Premium Tea House; Sergeant Emada Tingirides, Los Angeles Police Department; Barbara Torres, President SEIU Local 99; and Marie S. Torres, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community Research Initiatives, AltaMed.
The program was sprinkled with delightful musical selections by the opening group iMusic United and vocalist Donisha Brumfield entertained the guests as roses and engraved diamond keepsakes were distributed by Asm. Gipson.
Mrs. Gipson gave the closing remarks, followed by Minister Robin Tucker who ended the breakfast with an inspiring closing prayer.
Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson represents the cities and communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington.