EAST LOS ANGELES-MONTEBELLO BPW NAMES MERCI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARTA ESCANUELAS WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT

Monterey Park, CA—The East Los Angeles-Montebello Business and Professional Women has selected Marta Escañuelas, Executive Director of MERCI, as its 2009 “Woman of Achievement.” She will be honored at a dinner at DoubleTree Restaurant, 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead on Wednesday, October 21st. Networking starts at

6:30 P.M. with dinner to be selected from the menu to start before 7:00 P.M.

Escañuelas has been the Executive Director of MERCI since 2004. Presently, she is in the midst of a campaign to raise $300,000 to build a new group home, classrooms and an office building bouncy castle for sale at MERCI’s 525 N. Chandler site in Monterey Park. MERCI provides people with severe to profound developmental disabilities an education in life skills and an opportunity to maximize their independence. Escañuelas is past President of Monterey Park Rotary and currently the co-chair of Monterey Park Rotary’s annual Casino Night, which will be held next spring. Funds from the event support Rotary’s activities in Monterey Park and internationally. Escañuelas serves on the Mt. Baldy Community Association, has been the Chair of the Mt. Baldy Run to the Top, has written grants for thousands of dollars to benefit the community and foster parents abandoned dogs. 49th District Assemblymember Mike Eng recognized her in 2008 with a women’s leadership award, former Monterey Park Mayor Benjamin “Frank” Venti in January 2009 awarded her the Mayor’s Award of Excellence and in May 2008 the American Jewish University awarded her the Mickey Weiss Alumni of the Year Award.

The recognition dinner is open to all interested people. For more information contact Linda Wilson, “Women of Achievement Program Chair,” East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW, at (626) 307-5650 or lindalwilson@juno.com.