NAACP to Present Mayor Pro-Tem Lois Gaston
with Ruby McKnight Williams Award Sept. 8th
DUARTE, CA, August 18, 2011 – The Pasadena Branch of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) will bestow the organization’s highest annual award for leadership in the area of civil rights to Duarte City Council member, Lois Gaston.
The Ruby McKnight Williams Award will be presented to Mayor Pro Tem Gaston at the 26th Annual Ruby McKnight Williams Awards Dinner to be held Sept. 8 at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom. The Ruby McKnight Williams Award is presented in memory of Williams, a founding member of the Pasadena branch of the NAACP. She became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement in Southern California, petitioning for municipal and school employment, home ownership and access to public swimming pools for African Americans, among other civic contributions.
A dedicated community volunteer and activist long before and after being elected to the Duarte City Council in 2003 as the first African American female in the City’s history, Mayor Pro Tem Gaston’s efforts have focused on promoting educational opportunities for the community’s young people and creating avenues to promote the improvement of race relations. Amongst her numerous involvements, she is vice president of the Duarte Education Foundation, and founding member of the Duarte/Community Mediation Team, whose members are committed to the prevention of gang violence. She has served on the Board of Directors of Foothill Unity Center since 1998. In 2009-2010, she served as president of California Contract Cities Association, an association of 67 member cities representing 10 million residents, and was the first African-American woman to hold that office. She was honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the San Gabriel Valley NAACP in 2007, and was the first recipient of the Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni’s Unselfish Service to Community Award in 1993.
Lois considers her four sons, Harold, T.K., Bruce, and Vincent plus her eight grandchildren, and one great granddaughter as her most precious treasures. Her being an active member of the Second Baptist Church of Monrovia since 1949 ranks as her most noteworthy achievement.
Fourteen other prominent community leaders will also be honored at the Pasadena NAACP’s annual awards dinner for demonstrating an above average commitment and excellence in various areas of endeavors. The following awards will be presented: Corporate Award: Western Asset; Civic Award: Mary Ann Lutz, Mayor, City of Monrovia; Community Award: Jill Sumiyasu, Volunteer; Bob Baderian, Executive Director, First Tee of Pasadena; and Sylvester Caesar, Rose Bowl Operating Company; Faith Award: Dr. Nicholas Benson, Promise Christian University; Health and Fitness Award: Juanita Watts, MD, Kaiser Permanente; President’s Award: Phillip I. Sanchez, Chief of Police, Pasadena Police Department; Ronald Matthews, Program Director, Alta/Pasa Community Improvement Center; Business Award: Sandi Mejia, M&R Professional Services; Sindee Riboli, Sharp Seating Company; Humanitarian Award: Walter Jackson, Volunteer; Timothy Bowles, Attorney-at-Law; and Shirley Fields Volunteer Award, Reginia Moses, Volunteer.
Tickets to the Pasadena NAACP’s Ruby McKnight Williams Awards Dinner are $150. For reservations and information, call (626) 793-1293.
