5 Valley Women Win ‘Pioneer’ Awards From L.A. City Council

Five San Fernando Valley women were given “Woman Pioneer” awards Friday by the Los Angeles City Council. Each of the council’s 15 members selected one honoree as part of Women’s History Month, and the Valley women were:

* Verna Porter of Van Nuys, who directs the Caring and Sharing program for the homeless of the United Methodist Church of Sepulveda. For the past 14 years, Porter’s program has served 150 breakfasts twice weekly. She was named by Councilman Joel Wachs.

* Hermine Janoyan of West Van Nuys, an activist in the Valley’s Armenian community who has been involved in school causes, including a drive to build a gym at an Armenian high school. She did relief work after the 1988 Armenian earthquake. She was picked by Councilwoman Joy Picus.

* Betty Franklin of Sylmar, a veteran community activist who was cited for helping rebuild Olive View Hospital after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and for her involvement with the public acquisition of Stetson Ranch for equestrian events. She was selected by Councilman Ernani Bernardi.

* Louise L. Frankel of Tarzana, who founded the Tarzana Property Owners Assn. and was involved in preparing the Mulholland Parkway Master Plan and the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan. She also served on the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. She was named by Councilman Marvin Braude.

* Jane Boeckman of Northridge, publisher and editor in chief of Valley Magazine. Boeckman also co-founded the San Fernando Valley Cultural Center and serves on the board of the Valley Presbyterian Hospital. In 1991, she was honored as “Woman of the Year” by the Assistance League of Southern California. She was selected by Councilman Hal Bernson.