PRESS RELEASE
April 2, 2019 ~ Sherman Oaks, CA
The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley selected five honorees as the 2019 Inspirational Women of the San Fernando Valley, sponsored by California State University Northridge and Wells Fargo.
The event, now in its fifth year, recognizes women who have been an inspiration while trailblazing on a path to making the San Fernando Valley a better place. The committee sought nominations from across all industries, including for profit, non-profit, education, government, and law enforcement.
The selection committee, made up of members from the business and non-profit community, reviewed nearly 50 nominations, of which five honorees were selected.
The 2019 Inspirational Women honorees are:
Arlene Alpert ~ former social worker for the Department of Public Social Services for the County of Los Angeles, currently an active community volunteer and a board member with Child Development Institute.
Dr. Yvonne Chan ~ Founding Principal of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center. She turned crack houses to school houses, established family center, transformed gang territories to college prep laboratories, provided global studies and maintained a performance pay system for all staff. The school was awarded the California Distinguish School and the National Blue Ribbon School Awards.
Natalie Hill ~ Founder and President of HoldYou Foundation. She established HoldYou in 2015 to fill a void in support services for families with children suffering from a life-threatening illness. Today this growing organization is a vital lifeline and a ray of hope, having helped over 175 struggling families in Southern California.
Jean Sinatra ~ a legal management recruiter and longtime community volunteer. Jean has been a committed public safety volunteer. She has been a volunteer with the LAPD Van Nuys and North Hollywood divisions, including time as President of the Mid Valley Community Police Council.
Brenda Young ~ Referred affectionately as “Ms. Y “by her students, Young teaches English and Theater at John R. Wooden High School, an Alternate Pathway Education Center (LAUSD) for at-risk teens in Reseda. She coaches a slam poetry team and advises a Girls Build LA cohort, sponsored by LA Promise Fund, a city-wide organization to empower young women to develop community projects and leadership skills.
The honorees will be recognized at a luncheon at the Hilton – Woodland Hills on May 8th. The luncheon is open to the public and the United Chambers of Commerce welcomes sponsors.
Those interested in attending may contact Marian Jocz at the United Chambers, 818-981-4491, or marian@unitedchambers.org.