Schiff names district’s Women of the Year
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) recently honored three local women as Women of the Year in his district.
Seda Khojayan of Glendale, Lynn White-Shelby of Burbank and Jean Maluccio of La Crescenta were recognized for their professional backgrounds and involvement in their communities.
“It was wonderful to meet with this group of remarkable women, and to recognize their outstanding work in our community,” Schiff said in a statement. “These women demonstrate the truth of the maxim that if you need something done, ask a busy person. Each has worked tirelessly to support a myriad of charitable, business and community causes, and made an indelible mark on our region. It was an honor to recognize them and to show our appreciation for their extraordinary service.”
Khojayan immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 1976. Currently, she is a member of Soroptimist International of Glendale, serves as a commissioner on the city of Glendale’s Commission on the Status of Women and on the board of directors of the YWCA of Glendale.
She has been a member of the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., Inc. for over three decades, serving on its regional executive board for two terms and in the capacities of chair, treasurer and adviser for the ARS Sepan chapter in Glendale.
Khojayan said she uses her professional experience as a programmer/data security analyst for a major car manufacturer and education in economics and public administration to help with fundraising efforts, including grant writing, to help Armenian organizations such as the ARS secure funding for various philanthropic, educational and social projects for low-income families and the needy.
She also served as a fundraising committee member of Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” chapter, Homenetmen Navasartian Games and Festival and the Armenian Cultural Foundation. She also volunteers for events such as Unity Fest, Man’s Inhumanity to Man and Relay for Life.
Throughout the years, Khojayan has received numerous awards, including the City of Glendale Commission on the Status of Women’s Jewels of Glendale Women of Courage Award in 2008, the Armenian Cultural Foundation’s Community Service Award in 2013 and the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce’s Woman in Community Service Award in 2014.
White-Shelby graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a major in physical education and science, and began her teaching career at Franklin High School in the Highland Park area.
Her business career began in the public relations department at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, where she was promoted to secretary to the president. Later, she was promoted to assistant to the president and then assistant director of the post-graduate department.
She went on to work at ACCO Engineered Systems in Glendale as secretary to the president, which led to a management position as the company’s corporate insurance and safety administrator.
When she retired, White-Shelby began volunteering at the learning center at the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley and co-teaching a storytelling/acting class at Burbank’s Roosevelt Elementary School.
She is also a member of the La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, serving on numerous committees, working at the thrift shop and is currently the first vice president/president elect.
White-Shelby has served five terms as president of the Verdugo-Glen chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn., having been a member for over three decades, and currently serves as the education chair.
Also, she serves as vice chairman on Burbank’s Senior Citizen Board and as secretary on the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley’s board of directors.
As a businesswoman, Maluccio helps oversee the Maluccio Co., a local investment firm.
As a volunteer, she served as executive director of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for more than 18 years, without pay, and continues to have an active role with the chamber as an adviser, helping with chamber events including the Taste of the Foothills and Hometown Country Fair.
She served as president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1994, 1995, 2009 and 2010, and was one of the founders of the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Assn., a nonprofit which organizes an annual 4th of July fireworks display, and works many hours each year arranging the event’s entertainment, handling site permits, working with security and selling tickets.
Maluccio has also been actively involved with Prom Plus, where she helped secure donations of food and served food to guests at the organization’s 20th anniversary gala. She also gives of her time with Relay For Life, an annual 24-hour event held at Clark Magnet High School, where hundreds of people walk on the school field to raise funds to fight cancer.
She also volunteers with the Glendale Police Department, working at the Montrose COPPS substation, representing the department in many capacities and answering questions from the public.
A strong supporter of the U.S. military, Maluccio was a driving force in raising awareness and helped organize fundraisers for the refurbishment of the war memorial at Two Strike Park in La Crescenta.
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Mark Kellam, mark.kellam@latimes.com
Twitter: @LAMarkKellam
