Advocate for families, children of prison inmates honored at Capitol

Assemblywoman names Dorothy Montgomery 8th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year

SACRAMENTO–During its celebration of Women’s History Month today, the California Assembly honored Yolo County family advocate Dorothy Montgomery as the 8th Assembly District’s 2008 Woman of the Year.

“Dorothy has helped thousands of families navigate the intimidating and often confusing criminal justice system,” said Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), who selected Montgomery for the honor. “She helps them understand their visitation rights and fill out forms. She counsels their children and works to keep these at-risk youths out of the criminal justice system. She is there for them in their time of crisis. I am proud to honor her as this district’s woman of the year.”

Montgomery is the executive director and sole staff member of Friends-CARE, formerly the Sacramento-Yolo chapter of Friends Outside, and has worked for over 20 years providing assistance to families and children of prison inmates in Sacramento and Yolo Counties on a shoe-string budget provided by a contract with the Yolo County Detention Center, annual fundraising events, local church and individual donations. She has also served the community in a number of other capacities, working as a Police Chaplain for West Sacramento Police Department, a Yolo County Juvenile Commissioner, and a member of the Legal Services of Northern California's Board of Directors.

After a reception with Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Montgomery and the other women of the year were honored on the Assembly Floor in a ceremony highlighted by a speech by Mary Wiberg, the executive director of the California Commission on the Status of Women, which promotes gender equity and justice through advocacy and education.
 
Montgomery says all the attention was unexpected, but deeply appreciated.
 
“I do what I do because I enjoy it. I never expected to be recognized. So it was amazing to be showered with honors today,” said Montgomery. “There are how many women in California? To be one of the 80 women chosen for this honor is a blessing. I want to thank Lois for this honor, for paying tribute to the children and families of inmates I work with, and for all she does.”