Assemblyman Richard Bloom formally introduced Desiree Jade Sol has the 2014 Woman of the Year for his 50th District in a ceremony held March 10 in Sacramento. The festivities were part of Women’s History Month.
A community volunteer and equal rights activist, Sol was recognized Monday alongside with Woman of the Year selections from the Assembly’s other districts throughout California.
“Desiree is the embodiment of this year’s Women’s History Month theme,” Bloom stated, adding his selection was motivated by Sol’s “commitment to fighting for equality and justice, treating all people with respect and dignity, ensuring no one feels ashamed or unwanted and teaching all of us that we can make a difference.”
“Her courage to live her life so openly and honestly and her commitment to helping others in the world is an inspiration to us all,” he continued.
Most recently, Sol, a West Hollywood resident, served as chair of the City’s Public Safety Commission. She also sat as chair of the sub-committee for the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission’s Transgender Working Group and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Dept.’s LGBT Police Academy.
According to Bloom’s office, Sol is the second transgender woman to be named Woman of the Year since the honor became an annual tradition in Sacramento in 1987. A resolution is given to each honoree in the State Capitol.
Each honoree was individually introduced today in Sacramento.
Sol is also a third-generation Mexican American born and raised in Southern California.
Bloom represents the 50th Assembly District and chairs the State’s lower chambers’ Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation. His district includes Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Topanga, West Hollywood, and West Los Angeles.
Additional coverage of the Woman of the Year honor will be covered in this week’s edition of the Santa Monica Mirror.
