Saturday, June 6th, Women in Action (WIA), Inc., the Pasadena/Altadena based non-profit community organization, hosted their Annual 36th Jackie Robinson Merit Awards Luncheon at La Canada Flintridge Country Club. Women In Action (WIA) honored graduating high school students with merit awards, a returning student with the Ruth Valentine Award and the George A. Jones scholarship. For the first time they had a Mary E. Allen Real Estate Scholarship Award recipient Tanayia Crockett. This year's theme was "Yes We Can Make a Difference!" The keynote Speaker was "Sweet" Lou Johnson, L.A. Dodger Legend. The Jackie Robinson Awards are given to graduating seniors from each of the five Pasadena City High Schools who have demonstrated qualities of perseverance, faith, ambition and pride so as to redirect their efforts toward maintenance of self improvement and continuing success.
The Ruth Valentine Award is presented annually to a single woman who has made a commitment to better her life, chosen a career path and successfully enrolled in college. This year's recipient was Ca'Leah King who attends P.C.C. This year's recipients of the Merit Awards were; Shaun Heard, John Muir High School, who will attend Cal State University-San Marcos, Marshall Fundamental High School, Larnell Gholar, Pasadena High School, Kai Jackson attending Pasadena City College, Blair High School, Lakeisha Cage, Wiley College,
Among the guests in attendance Carol Liu, and Councilwomen Jacque Robinson