Every spring in Los Angeles, NAWBO-LA honors the success of women in all sectors of the community. This year, the 21st Annual Leadership and Legacy Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was festive and upbeat.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dropped by to present the Civic Leader of the Year Award to his “good friend,” The Honorable Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles City Council Member.
Councilwoman Greuel accepted the award, and acknowledged the mentors in her own life: Laura Chick, LA City Controller, and the councilwoman’s own mother Alice, who ran a company called Frontier Building Supply.
“I saw my mother’s work ethic and enthusiasm at work every day,” the Councilwoman said. “I also learned that most people thought that men, not women, should be running companies.”
“Even today, I am still being asked how I can be a mom and a councilwoman. My son (sitting in the ballroom with his dad) will grow up knowing that there are strong women and that they can grow up to be anything.”
Faye Washington, CEO of the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, was the winner of the Legacy Award for 2007.
Her eloquent and compelling acceptance speech was replete with vivid images, not the least of which was “NAWBO, you are a thunderstorm in an otherwise calm sea.” Read more of Faye’s speech.
Inducted into the NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame:
Kimberly Rakis, President of Premier Building Maintenance Services, immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1981. In 1996, she and her brother founded Premier, which is now a multimillion dollar company. She is active in the community and believes in setting an example for others.
Maria de Lourdes Sobrino is the Founder and CEO of Lulu’s Dessert Corporation, which has been recognized as one of “the fastest-growing Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.”
“As an entrepreneur, it has not always been easy,” Maria said in accepting her award. “It was my mother’s family recipes that became the basis for Lulu’s Desserts.”
She also acknowledged the role that Walmart has played in the success of her company. Her story illustrates how a very simple concept (ready-to-eat cups of gelatin) can produce phenomenal business results. “We try our best to pass on our energy and commitment to the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Nancy Silverton, Co-Owner of Pizzeria Mozza & Founder of La Brea Bakery, received the award for Woman Business Owner of the Year. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, Silverton is the author of seven cookbooks and the former head pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills.
The charming and humble Silverton, “a food artisan” for more than 25 years, accepted the award with these words: “Every successful business owes its success to the people who work for it.” La Brea Bakery’s products are available in seven countries at this writing and are expected to go worldwide.
Debra L. Reed, President and CEO of Southern California Gas Company and SDG&E, accepted the award for Corporate Partner of the Year on behalf of the company she has headed since 2006. The Gas Company is “the nation’s largest natural gas distribution company with 19.8 million customers,” and is committed to the success of women business owners.
The Inspiration Award went to 19-year-old Ajaya Williams, the Founder and Designer of AJ KUSTOMZ. A Los Angeles native, Ajaya designs her own fashion line. In fact, she accepted her award wearing a dress she had designed for herself.
“I accept this award for every dreamer who didn’t know how they would make it,” Ajaya said. Watch for a full interview with Ajaya, who is a mentor to other young people in the community, in a future edition of Givingyouavoice.com.
