Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown to Honor Women From the 47th District
SAN BERNARDINO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) will host her 1st Annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Awards Reception on Friday, April 26 at the Vanir Tower in San Bernardino. During the event, Assemblymember Brown will honor a number of key women leaders throughout the 47th Assembly District who have broken down barriers to help create opportunities for other women.
This year’s honorees are all women who have broken the proverbial ceiling; they include Mayor Deborah Robertson, City of Rialto; Mayor Sarah Zamora, City of Colton; Councilmember Darcy McNaboe, City of Grand Terrace; and Mrs. Lisha Smith, deputy executive officer of the Legislative and Public Affairs Office at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
Mayor Deborah Robertson broke the glass ceiling when she was elected as the first African American and woman mayor of Rialto on November 4, 2012. Prior to her successful election, Mayor Robertson served on the Rialto City Council for twelve years. She’s active in various community organizations and is the past deputy district director of external affairs for the California Department of Transportation, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. She retired from the State of California after 20 years, where she oversaw a budget of nearly $4 million.
Mayor Sarah Zamora broke the glass ceiling when she was appointed in August 2011 to serve as mayor for the remaining term vacated by her late husband and former mayor, David R. Zamora. Mayor Zamora represents the City of Colton as a member on several local and regional agencies, boards and committees, and is an avid supporter of business retention; community programs and events that benefit families and the elderly. Prior to her appointment, she was elected in 2000 to serve as a Colton City Councilmember.
Councilmember Darcy McNaboe was elected to the Grand Terrace City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2012. Councilmember McNaboe broke the glass ceiling when she spearheaded an inclusive veterans memorial called the “Veterans Wall of Freedom” in Grand Terrace. As principal and founder of Village Enterprises, she provides assistance to business owners as they manage development and growth. She also works with clients to design and implement action plans. Prior to her consulting firm, she spent over 20 years working for small technology and manufacturing companies. She was founder and principal of a small product design and manufacturing business in Riverside.
Mrs. Lisha Smith initially broke the glass ceiling when she became the deputy chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, 5th District. She shattered the glass ceiling once again when she became the deputy executive officer (DEO) of the Legislative and Public Affairs Office at AQMD in October 2012. As DEO, Mrs. Smith directs the agency’s public outreach and education programs, small business assistance, local government and environmental justice programs, as well as its state and federal legislative activities.
For more information, contact (909) 381-3238.
Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.
Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/.