Monterey Park, CA—The East Los Angeles-Montebello Business and Professional Women has selected Teresa Real Sebastian, as its 2014 “Woman of Achievement.” She will be honored at a dinner at the DoubleTree Restaurant, 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead on Wednesday, October 22nd. Networking starts at 4:30 P.M. with dinner to be selected from the menu to start by 5:00 P.M.

Real Sebastian is a Past Mayor of Monterey Park and currently the only woman on the Monterey Park City Council. She represents the City of Monterey Park on Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Transportation Committee, and 710 Coalition. She serves on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government as 2nd Vice President. As Councilwoman and Mayor, Real Sebastian launched the “Beautify MPK” program with quarterly park clean-up days, had the City of Monterey Park recognize “Denim Day,” brought the City Police Chief to do a presentation on domestic violence to the City Council on October 1st and started the “Holiday Snow Village” and the “Geranium Festival.” The “Geranium Festival” will take place on October 11th in Barnes Park.

Real Sebastian was raised in Monterey Park. She graduated from Sacred Heart of Mary High School, has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on finance, real estate and law from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Juris Doctorate degree from Whittier College School of Law. Prior to attending law school she had a successful real estate brokerage firm. She worked in entertainment law for twelve years, but changed gears to return to real estate law. In March 2011 Real Sebastian ran for and was elected to the Monterey Park City Council. She served as Mayor from April 10, 2013-January 20, 2014.  During her mayorship, she outreached to the community with a quarterly “Walk with the Mayor.”

She and her husband Armen have been married for more than 16 years.

Real Sebastian is an active supporter of Maryvale, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles and St. Jude’s Hospital. She was a Neighbor Watch Captain. She volunteered with the Monterey Park Citizen’s Academy Program, Habitat for Humanity (Katrina – Gulfport, Mississippi), Heal the Bay, Midnight Mission, Union Station, Animal Acres and BunnyLuv.org. She is on the Department of Architecture and Business Department Advisory Committee at East Los Angeles College. She has competed in four LA Marathons, a Pasadena Half-Marathon and several 5K runs.

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.