Washington, D.C. – On Saturday March 27 at a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff honored Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman for her commitment and service to Alhambra by naming her a “Woman of the Year.”

“Volunteering her time and talent in ever increasing abundance, Gay’s work continues to benefit the entire Alhambra community,” said Schiff.  “She shows great care and dedication in all her efforts and we are grateful for the tremendous difference she has made in the life of our community.”

Gay has been active with both the City of Alhambra and the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.  As vice president of the Housing and Urban Development Committee for the City of Alhambra, Gay assisted the Alhambra Historical Society in obtaining a grant for the Alhambra Historical Society Museum.  Gay also served as president of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Alhambra.  While a member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, Gay formed the planning bouncy castle for sale committee for the Chinese New Year Festival Parade, which still takes place today, and then was chair of the parade.  Gay also served as Chair of Transportation on the Government Affairs Committee for the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.

Gay has been involved with Soroptimist International (SI) of Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino.  As president of the chapter, Gay helped bring in a record of nine new members, established the Friendship Link exchange where members of SI Burnley, England visited, helped establish the link between Alhambra Curves and La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, and was the chair of various committees.  She also founded the Soroptimist Camino Real Region’s Friendship Grant Committee, which provides hospitality and professional education every two years for a Soroptimist from another part of the world.  Currently, she is the Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino chapter’s co-vice president of programs, chair of the Woman of Distinction Award Committee, and co-chair of Reading is Fundamental, which buys books for third graders in the Alhambra and San Gabriel School Districts.

In addition to Soroptimists, Gay has given her time to various organizations throughout Alhambra.  For the Alhambra Historical Society, she has served as president and publicity chair.  As a board member for the Alhambra Educational Foundation, she started the Authors Festival, which brings over eighty children’s authors, storytellers, and illustrators to the Alhambra Unified School District.  As chair of the Alhambra Red Cross Council, she helped restore the presence of the Red Cross in Alhambra and taught volunteer training classes.  She has been secretary for the Alhambra Toastmasters, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and is currently head usher at Alhambra’s All Souls Church.  In addition, she helped design Alhambra’s float for the Tournament of Roses Parade.

On top of all this, Gay has been active outside of Alhambra with the YMCA West San Gabriel Valley, the Special Libraries Association of Southern California, the Los Angeles County Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, the League of Women Voters Greater Pasadena Area, and the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

Every March, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th Congressional District.  These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region.  While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.

Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR FOR ALHAMBRA

U. S. Congressman Adam Schiff has named Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman Alhambra Woman of the year.

Kinman has long been involved in the community, specifically holding several offices in Soroptimist of Alhambra San Gabriel San Marino, as well as being on the boards of the Alhambra Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, the City’s HUD, and Civil Service Commissions, West San Gabriel Valley YMCA, Red Cross, League of Women Voters and other organizations.

She is also a docent at the Huntington Library, and has been involved in professional organizations such as Special Libraries Association, Southern California Chapter; Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter, and on the California Bar Committee, an appointment she received through then State Senator Hilda Solis.

Schiff named women in several other cities in his jurisdiction, as well as honoring six women who were pilots in the WASPs during the WWII, during March, which is Women’s History Month.

Kinman joins three other former Presidents of Soroptimist who were also named Women of the Year; friend and church colleague Helen Hancock (now deceased); and a Soroptimist  Woman of Distinction Awardee (now the Ruby Award) Angelina Levy.