Sacramento – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) today announced his selection of youth advocate and community activist Mrs. Juanita DeVaughn as the 44th Assembly District Woman of the Year.   

“It brings me great pleasure to name Mrs. DeVaughn as my first ever Woman of the Year,” said Portantino, who was recently elected to represent the 44th Assembly District.  Mrs. DeVaughn’s exemplary record of educating our children and fighting for those without a voice serves as a model to all of us who work in public service.”

A native of Boligee, Alabama, Mrs. DeVaughne began her career teaching at the Industrial School for Girls where her talent to motivate and excite young people was first recognized.  In over 45 years as a Home Economics Teacher and Nutritionist, Mrs. DeVaughn nurtured thousands of students and served as a mentor and a personal cheerleader to them.  So much so that students still return to the John Muir High School to ask if she is still teaching.  She has received much recognition for orchestrating one of the largest Annual Campus Clean Up and Beautification projects in the Los Angeles County area. 

“Mrs. DeVaughn has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to educating our children and to civil rights.  Her mentorship of students through the ACT-SO program shows how Mrs. DeVaughn speaks with passion and actions and just plane cares about each and every generation. I am honored just to call her my friend and extremely pleased to have added a State Assembly honor to her list of accomplishments.” 

Mrs. DeVaughn will be honored during a special meeting of the State Assembly on March 5th at 10:30am.  The event will be preceded by a breakfast reception for Women of the Year Honorees, hosted by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi.