 | | | From left: Derek Zemrak, Edy Schwartz, Leonard Pirkle, Supervisor Candace Andersen Photo Richard Harris | | | | | | Every other year the Contra Costa Commission for Women (CCCW) recognizes women who have made a difference in their community in the areas of the arts, leadership, community, environmental stewardship, healthcare, justice and science, adding their name to the Women's Hall of Fame. This year Lamorinda is represented by Moraga resident Edy Schwartz for her contribution to the arts.
"I nominated Edy because she exemplifies what makes our communities the amazing places they are today," says Contra Costa Supervisor Candace Andersen. "When Edy sees a need she doesn't just talk about it, she does something, and generally in a very big way! She selflessly gives of her time and has done so much for Moraga, particularly with her efforts to preserve the Rheem Theatre and make it a gathering place for art, culture, and fun in Moraga."
A former president of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, Schwartz was named Citizen of the Year in 2010. For the last several years she has channeled her enthusiasm and passion toward the Rheem Theatre and the annual California Independent Film Festival in Moraga and Orinda. Moving into the movie industry has opened a whole new world for Schwartz, while she continues to support her lifelong mission of building community.
Schwartz's involvement started in December 2009 when the operators of the Rheem Theatre announced that they were going to close the independent venue due to declining revenue. As chamber president, she called upon a group of local 'movers and shakers' to brainstorm solutions. Attendance grew, new events were offered that attracted more people, but the operators still closed the Rheem in 2010, preferring to concentrate their marketing efforts on the Orinda Theatre that they had also purchased.
Schwartz did not give up. She knew that if the Rheem stayed closed too long it would be impossible to revive.
For Schwartz the theater is a unique community asset that gets people of all ages together. She continued to look for solutions with other community members and in June of 2010, when she got a call from Derek Zemrak, co-founder of the California Independent Film Festival Association, she shared her belief that the Rheem could be profitable due to community support. CAIFFA took over the Rheem and later, the Orinda Theatre; Schwartz's involvement intensified once she passed the baton as the head of the Chamber of Commerce.
She played an integral role in the campaign to raise funds for the three digital projectors at Rheem, the ADA compliance fund, and of course the promotion of the annual festival shown both at the Rheem and Orinda theaters. Schwartz is now working with a group that includes Orinda Chamber of Commerce president Sylvia Jorgensen to make the 2014 Independent Film Festival the most successful ever. Last year's festival registered the highest local attendance, likely because Schwartz conducted 25 "sneak-peak" presentations for different community groups in September.
"I do this because I believe Moraga needs the Rheem Theatre, as a major anchor in the Rheem Shopping Center, a community gathering place, and a unique artistic venue; and because I have learned the great value of independent films, the joy and discoveries they have brought to my life, and I'd like to share that with everyone." She continues to be a tireless advocate, because she knows that to keep the doors open, tickets have to be sold.
The eight women selected this year were honored at a dinner March 20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord. "The selection process is quite rigorous," says CCCW Nancie Zimmerman who co-chairs the event. "Each recommendation is reviewed independently by three judges who live outside the area and are involved with the State Commission for Women." The judges also want to recognize women who might not be very well known beyond their community. "We received about 40 candidacies and I was blown away by the quality and leadership of all these women," adds Zimmerman.
Schwartz had the pleasure to meet with the other seven nominees at the event, as well as three women who were part of the Rosie the Riveter movement during World War II and are now involved with the namesake museum in Richmond. Having them as special honorees was a way for the commission to show the continuity of women's leadership throughout American history.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA