BARRY NAMED WOMAN OF YEAR; WRIGHT HONORS SIMI WOMAN FOR SERVICE TO COMMUNITY.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer A former school board president who has dedicated herself to the education of Simi Valley's children has been named by state Sen. Cathie Wright, R-Simi Valley, as the 19th District's Woman of the Year. Judy Barry, 56, will be honored Monday in Sacramento for her dedication to children and her many years of community service. She will be joined by women from throughout the state who are also being given the distinction by their elected representatives. ``I thought, Why me?'' Barry said Thursday, describing her reaction to news of the award. ``There are so many other people in our community, and certainly in Senator Wright's district, that are deserving of this award as well. But I very humbly accepted.'' She added that her work is not about the recognition, but about the satisfaction she receives while doing it. ``It's wonderful to see positive things come out of what I've done,'' she said. Barry will join the other honorees - 39 chosen by state senators Noun 1. state senator - a member of a state senate senator - a member of a senate and 77 others honored by assembly members - in a ceremony on the Senate floor. Afterward, she and her husband, Pat, will attend lunch and receptions being hosted in their honor by Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, and California's first lady, Sharon Davis - a Woman of the Year honoree hon·or·ee n. The recipient of an honor. Noun 1. honoree - a recipient of honors in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments recipient, receiver - a person who receives something herself. Barry was a young preschool teacher A Preschool Teacher is a type of early childhood educator who instructs children from infancy to age 5, which stands as the youngest stretch of early childhood education. Early Childhood Education teachers need to span the continum of children from birth to age 8. when she and Pat moved to Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , where they raised four children. Soon after arriving, she became active in local schools. She was urged by friends to run for a seat on the board of trustees board of trustees Politics The posse of thugs who oversee an institution's administration. See Board of directors. for the Simi Valley Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. . She was elected in 1988 and served until 1996. During that time, Barry also served on the city's anti-gang task force, the victim-offender reconciliation program, the Boys & Girls Club Girls Club is a 2002 American television series created by David E. Kelley, who was also it's producer and executive producer. Only two out of a total of thirteen episodes created were broadcast on Fox Television in the United States and Global Television in Canada. board of directors and as president of the Ventura County School Board Association. Since retiring, she has kept busy with the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Leadership Simi Valley program, where she serves on the steering committee steer·ing committee n. A committee that sets agendas and schedules of business, as for a legislative body or other assemblage. steering committee Noun . The nearly yearlong workshop introduces business and area residents to the inner workings of their community. School board member Carla Kurachi said the award for Barry was well deserved and long overdue. ``Judy is certainly an incredible, dedicated individual who has really done far above other people in serving her community,'' Karachi said. ``She's served in various ways, on various committees and she has worked so hard to better the world for children.'' |
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