Club to honor Pearson-Schneider

The Laguna Beach Women’s Club will honor Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider June 2 as Woman of the Year.

Reservations are being accepted for what club officials expect to be a sell-out luncheon.

“Elizabeth is a born leader and humanitarian,” club President Peggy Ford said in a news release. “When the Bluebird Canyon landslide struck, she led the community in assisting the victims during this tragedy.”

Club officials cited her compassion in founding the Adopt a Landslide Family program for donations to help the families and her tireless efforts to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency financial assistance for repairs to city infrastructure and restoration of the hillside.

Pearson-Schneider was described by Ford as pragmatic, resourceful, kind and accessible, with boundless energy.

Her coalition-building with other city officials, namely Councilwoman Toni Iseman, which has moved the city forward on several projects including the compromise on the relocation of the city maintenance yard to the Act V parcel and plans for the Village Entrance, also influenced the voting, Ford said.

The mayor and Iseman were honored last fall by the American Assn. of University Woman and Pearson-Schneider was named the 70th State Assembly District 2006 Woman of the Year.

Pearson-Schneider was chosen by the Woman of the Year Committee from a field of deserving nominations, committee chair Lee Winocur Field said.

“It certainly was a challenge to pick from so many deserving women, but after careful deliberation, the committee was unanimous in its vote for Elizabeth,” Winocur Field said.

Sara Riahi, Louise Buckley , Ann Quilter, Renae Hinchey, Stephany Skendarian, Cheryl Post and Ford served on the committee with Winocur Field.

Space is limited at the luncheon. Tickets may be reserved by mailing a check for $27 to the Women’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, 92651. Reservations cannot be guaranteed unless received by one week before the event. If available, tickets on the day of the event will be $30.

For more information or to sponsor a table, call (949) 497-1200.