Glendale Arts Associate Director Elissa Glickman accepted the Glendale Latino Association’s 2010 Woman of the Year award last Thursday, saying:
“Because I am receiving the Women in Business Award, I would be remiss if I didn’t make note of the fact that March is Women’s History Month, [and acknowledge] that the struggle of women in business is quite similar to the struggle of many minority communities … including the Latino community. In this country, it’s sort of like pledging a fraternity, you wait until it’s your turn for acceptance and you do what has to be done to “join the club”.
The women of this nation, despite their citizenship, had to wait 150 years to be recognized. And those who endured the fight, and managed to come out on the other side . . . these are the women to whom we owe a debt.
It is because of those who came before us . . . those with guts, courage and conviction … women who made it possible for me, and all the women in this room to have an equal voice in the workplace . . . these are the women we need to remember and these are the women we should be honoring.
And it is because of these women, that I have a voice to share my convictions, to champion my cause.”
Glickman was recognized for her strong advocacy for the arts and her leadership in local organizations, including the Downtown Glendale Merchants’ Association. At Glendale Arts, she is responsible for forming community partnerships, overseeing fundraising and marketing, and Alex Theatre development and oversight.
The GLA named Richard Roche, AT&T Director of External Affairs, as 2010 Man of the Year. Roche currently chairs the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board, serves as President of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, participates on the boards of the Glendale Community College Foundation and the Glendale Educational Foundation as well as other local civic and business advisory organizations.
The Community Foundation of the Verdugos received the 2010 Organization of the Year Award. The nonprofit administers and channels endowment funds from area donors to charitable organizations in Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose and Verdugo City, and also offers scholarships and interest-free loans to local students.
Providing scholarships for deserving GUSD students ($15,000 in 2009; a goal of $20,000 this year) is the mission of the Glendale Latino Association. Its monthly business networking and annual community events raise funds awarded every year in May – this year’s GLA Scholarship Award breakfast will be held May 27 at the Glendale Hilton. On May 6, GLA will hold its annual Salsa for Scholarships fundraiser.