Burbank women honored
Molly Shore
Suzanne Cox and Joan Ortiz are local businesswomen who donate
countless hours making the community a better place while managing
successful businesses and nurturing their families.
For their efforts, Cox and Ortiz are recipients of Women in
Business Awards sponsored by Sen. Jack Scott (D-Burbank), Assemblyman
Dario Frommer (D-Burbank) and Assemblywoman Carol Liu (D-La Canada
Flintridge). The awards recognize outstanding female business leaders
in the 21st Senate district and 43rd and 44th Assembly districts. The
23 recipients were selected based on community nominations in 10
different categories.
Cox, the owner of Bookkeeping by Cox in Burbank, won one of three
community service awards, while Ortiz, vice president of
Burbank-based Limerick Inc., received the women in science and
technology award.
The recipients will be honored by the community at a special
luncheon hosted by Scott, Frommer and Liu on Oct. 17 at the Los
Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.
Frommer characterized the winners as pioneers.
“It is still, unfortunately, a man’s world. For women to start
businesses, be CEOs and serve on boards is tough,” Frommer said
Thursday. “The women who do succeed are an inspiration, and their
accomplishments should be shared.”
Cox, 62, a 15-year member of the Burbank Sunrise Rotary Club, was
nominated by Rotary Club President David Smith.
“Although David felt that I was well qualified for [the award], no
one really said why my qualifications are better than anyone else’s,”
Cox said.
Cox also serves on the boards of the Kids Community Clinic and the
Salvation Army. She is a former Burbank Temporary Aid Center board
member.
Ortiz, 45, and her mother, Patricia Kelly, run Limerick, which
manufactures breast pumps for nursing mothers. Ortiz was on vacation
when her mother called to tell her she had been selected.
“I was very happy, very surprised and very honored,” Ortiz said.
Councilwoman Marsha Ramos, who has known Ortiz for more than 20
years, nominated her for the award.
“Because she is a working mother, she understands the challenges
of working and nurturing children,” Ramos said.