Pasadena is like all of the United States. It has suffered in all services as well as continue to grow in all essential services. In the Pasadena Police Department, an African-American female, Cheryl Moody, celebrates one year as the first female Police Chief. She is not the first Black chief, but the first Black female chief. Jerry Oliver served as chief for years in the eighties, as an example of how to achieve as a department head in one of the city’s largest departments.
Woods Valentine Mortuary celebrated its 85 plus years as one of Pasadens’ premier businesses. Mr. Fred Valentine took over the business where he started as a shoe shine man, and learned the Mortuary business as a new career, passed down to him from his relative (Woods). A second Mortuary opened in Pasadena in the 2000’s by a former Woods Valentine employee. Likewise, a Black female followed in the tradition by serving as a Rose Princess in the Rose Parade and Rose Game Pageant. This Pageant is world famous and, historically, Pasadena’s most popular event. The Rose Bowl makes financial donations to various events that benefit Northwest Pasadena. COVID 19 has made it difficult to operate in traditional ways. For instance, traditional ways and traditional levels as church members and businesses have avoided contact with others. Local businesses, organizations, and churches are primarily operating via Zoom with traditional messages being sent over television screens, rather than through personal services. Many churches have announced that full services will resume. Schools and businesses are reopening full time. City politicians have announced their re-run for City College Trustee and Pasadena City Councilmembers. The City of Pasadena has promoted appointed a Black Female, Brenda Harvey Williams, to Director of Parks and Recreation. A Black female, Michelle Baneris, has served as City Attorney for years, and Michele Bailey will continue as a representative serving on the Pasadena Unified School District Board. With regard to careers, a walk through a city like Pasadena will divulge a myriad of jobs for individuals to choose from. Many trades and occupations were accidental. Based on how he/she got the job, whether it was based on a recommendation from a friend or family, they took on a job temporarily which then turned into an occupation and on to a career, to make a living and support his/her family. This annual effort is our attempt to share with our readers a glimpse of our city. In doing so, we invite various local, city and governmental agencies and organizations to join us. Their contributions are below. We hope you are enlightened by what is shared. |
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