12 Women in Government, Including Mayor, Honored

Twelve women, including Mayor Maureen O’Connor, were honored as part of the California Women in Government’s sixth annual “Tribute to Women” held Wednesday night in the Champagne Ballroom of the Sheraton Harbor Island East.

Nearly 400 people attended.

The 69 nominees for the award were evaluated on the basis of professional accomplishments, contributions to public service and leadership qualities.

“This organization hopes to draw attention to the outstanding achievements of San Diego women and to encourage women to continue to choose public service as an important and rewarding career,” said Police Lt. Nancy Goodrich, chairwoman of the event.

Job opportunities for women in government have “really opened up in the last 10 years,” Goodrich said. Jobs held by women cover a variety of fields including traffic engineering, public health, politics and the military.

“No longer are women recognized because they are simply holding positions formerly held by men,” said Lt. Leslie Pittelkow, U.S. Navy Reserve, an honoree and legal adviser to the commanding officer of the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base.

Besides O’Connor and Pittelkow, those recognized were Anne Omsted, Encinitas city councilwoman; Louise Dyer, San Diego Community College District trustee; Sharon Reid, deputy director, San Diego Department of Public Works; Dr. Maria Savoia, assistant chief of the Veterans Administration Medical Center; Donna Williams, director of configuration and logistics at the Naval Sea Support Center; Kathryn Cline, a member of the city advisory board on the status of women; Clara Harris, Heartland Human Relations Assn. director; Patricia Johns, North County Municipal Court administrator; Sylvia Selverston, director of program development and extended services for Social Advocates for Youth, and Lana Willingham, deputy director of Children’s Services Bureau.

A special recognition award went to Nancy Acevedo for her work on behalf of California Women in Government.