(Santa Monica, CA) – In a formal ceremony on the California State Assembly Floor today, Santa Monica resident, Linda Gross, was honored as Assemblymember Julia Brownley’s 2007 Assembly Woman of the Year.

Every year, each member of the California State Assembly and California State Senate honors a woman from their district who has distinguished herself in service to her community. Assemblymember Brownley’s first honoree is Linda Gross.

“For most of her adult life, Linda has dedicated countless hours to enriching the lives of the students of the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District,” Brownley noted. “She began at Roosevelt Elementary and Santa Monica High schools, and over the years has devoted her time and considerable talents into improving the education and lives of children. I’m proud to honor her”

Among her other accomplishments, Gross raised awareness of the disparity in opportunities for children depending on what school they attend; has been an active fundraiser who helped build a self-sustaining endowment in excess of $3 million for the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation; and is a founder of CEPS, the Community for Excellent Public Schools.

Gross said that “it’s a great honor to be recognized among so many outstanding women dedicated to worthy causes across the state.”

Assembly honorees began their day in the State Capitol with a breakfast with Lt. Governor John Garamendi. Each was then escorted by her Assemblymember down the center aisle of the State’s Assembly Chamber, and presented with a beautiful framed certificate of recognition by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. A reception later in the afternoon followed.

Photo available on request.