Councilwoman named 2001 Woman of the Year

Karen S. Kim

BURBANK -- City Councilwoman Stacey Murphy was named 2001 Woman of the

Year for California’s 27th Congressional District on Wednesday by U.S.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).

Murphy’s award is based on her service to the community and her

leadership as a councilwoman, Schiff said.

“I just think she’s done a remarkable job in Burbank,” he said. “She

is a great model for what an elected official should be.”

Elected to the Burbank City Council in 1997, Murphy served as vice

mayor from 1998 to 1999 and mayor from 1999 to 2000. She was reelected to

the City Council in this year’s Feb. 27 primary, and was the only

candidate to receive enough votes to avoid a runoff election.

Schiff and his staff canvassed the area and reviewed the

accomplishments of women in the community before settling on Murphy. Last

year’s winner was Sister Janet Harris, a nun who did volunteer work in a

juvenile hall in East Los Angeles. Winners can be anyone from elected

officials to teachers and community volunteers.

Murphy’s ability to negotiate fairly and thoroughly is one of her most

important traits as an elected official, Schiff said.

“She’s a real common-sense leader who has been able to bring all

different parties together on common ground,” Schiff said. “She has the

ability to bring people back to the issues. And when she disagrees, she

does it without being disagreeable.”

Murphy said that she was honored to be recognized for her efforts.

“I admit that it’s hard sometimes, but you have to remember that you

represent everyone,” she said. “I think sometimes people get too caught

up with personalities, and you just have to be blind to that.”

Schiff will present Murphy with her award, making an official

statement to the Congressional Record, during an open house between 4 and

7 p.m. on Monday at the Braley Building, 35 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 205,

Pasadena.

BOX

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Open house for Stacey Murphy’s Woman of the Year award

WHEN: 4 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Braley Building, 35 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 205, Pasadena