Lieu Names Lucia Diaz, Executive Director of the Mar Vista Family Center, as 53rd Assembly District “Woman of the Year”

Sacramento, CA –At a ceremony in Sacramento today, Assemblymember Ted Lieu named Lucia Diaz, Executive Director of the Mar Vista Family Center, as the 53rd Assembly District “Woman of the Year” for 2007.  The ceremony was held on Monday to correspond with Women’s History Month.

In naming Diaz, Lieu cited her tireless work over the last 26 years at the Family Center, starting as a parent participant in 1981, and rising to Executive Director in 1995.  The center brings together community leaders and resources to support Children and Family in the Mar Vista/Venice/West LA area.  The Center has an exemplary track record of helping children to succeed in school, and steering them away from gangs and drugs.

“I’m excited and honored to name someone who has done so much for the community,” Lieu said.  “Lucia Diaz is a true treasure of the Mar Vista area.”

Aside from her work at the Center, Ms. Diaz’s community involvement includes serving on the Advisory Boards and Board for Saban Productions Children’s Educational Television, Venice Community Housing Corporation, Culver/Slauson Park, The Venice Family Clinic and UCLA Community Partnership. Ms. Diaz has served as committee member of Los Angeles County Children’s Planning Council Youth Task Force, Los Angeles Universal Preschool Parent Engagement Task Force and Del Rey Neighborhood Council as Area Director.

“People like Lucia Diaz are the reason we have such a strong community spirit in this area,” Lieu added.  “She deserves this recognition and much, much more.”

Ms. Diaz came to the United States from her hometown of Merida Yucatan, Mexico in 1976.  She is from a family of 11 brothers and sisters.