Local Winners of the Woman of the Year - Edy Schwartz, Assemblymember Skinner and Ann Appert. Amy Worth was unable to attend. Photo courtesy Clayton J. Mitchell

Three women from Lamorinda, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, were recently honored by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner who praised their contributions to their respective communities. Although there are winners from each of the Assembly District 14 cities, which include Albany, Berkeley, Richmond, Pleasant Hill and beyond, only the local winners are listed below.

"It was an honor to be included with the thirteen other women from Assemblymember Skinner's district at the second annual Woman of the Year event. Assemblymember Skinner exemplifies what can be achieved when we work hard and commit ourselves to those things we value," said Edy Schwartz of Moraga. She has been President of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce for the past three years, and was instrumental in saving the Rheem Theatre. In addition she's been an active volunteer for more than thirty years and has worked hard to cultivate a deeper relationship between St. Mary's College and the town.

Ann Appert is the Woman of the Year from Lafayette. She was the co-leader of the campaign to build the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, and launched the successful after school tutoring program there. She served on the Governing Board of the Lafayette School District and presided as President during the creation of their strategic plan and helped streamline foundation support to increase resources for students. Continuing her support of youth, she helped develop a Wellness Committee to focus on student stress, nutrition and character. Finally, she's a Trustee of Youth Homes which serves abused and neglected children.

Amy Worth of Orinda was the driving force behind the congestion-relieving Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore Project. She has spent thirteen years serving as an unpaid Orinda City Council Member. She was a key supporter of the construction of the new Orinda Library along with parcel tax measures that keep the Library open sixty hours per week.