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State Assembly member Chris Holden recognized the 41st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction at his annual Spring District Office Open House on March 28 in Pasadena.
Among them were two South Pasadena residents; Tournament of Roses President, Laura Farber being named the 2019 Woman of the Year, and Diane Cullinane, M.D., who received the Woman of Distinction Award for the City of Pasadena for co-founding the Professional Child Development Associates (PCDA). She has served as the executive director for the Pasadena organization since its inception in 1997.
PCDA is a non-profit organization that provides multidisciplinary services for children with developmental disabilities.
The women, along with others, were recognized for their service that has a made a positive impact in the community.
Cullinane is a developmental pediatrician, and is board-certified in pediatrics and neuro-developmental disabilities.
Farber is the first Latina and third woman to serve as president of the Tournament of Roses. Farber has been a volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses Association since 1993 and was elected to the executive committee in 2012. She is also a leader in many organizations, such as the American Bar Association, and the recipient of numerous awards for her work as an attorney.
Other Women of Distinction from throughout Holden’s district include Monica Hubbard (Altadena), Shelly Vander Veen (Claremont), Sabina Sullivan (La Verne), Christine Geltz (Monrovia), Diane Williams (Rancho Cucamonga), Laurie Brandler (San Dimas), Nancy Shollenberger (Sierra Madre), and Beatrice Casagran (Upland).
More than 70 nominations were sent to Assembly member Holden for the honor.
“The 2019 Women of Distinction are passionate leaders who improve the lives for thousands of individuals and families in the 41st Assembly District and beyond,” said Holden. “They demonstrate exceptional leadership that all of us should aspire to achieve.”
