| Honored by: | The Women's Leadership Network |
| Brick location: | A:13 map |
The Women's Leadership Network is proud to acknowledge the accomplishments of Assembly woman Grace F. Napolitano. A founding member of the Women's Leadership Network and a Latina role model for young latina women everywhere. First Latina councilwoman in Norwalk Founder of the Women Caucus in the California State Legislature and champion for the rights of minorities women and people everywhere.
California State Assemblywoman Grace F. Napolitano has always put people first. A community leader for over 30 years Grace has been a champion of including people into the government decision-making process and she has taken this “fresh” approach right to the floor of the California State Assembly.
Assemblywoman Napolitano represents the 58th Assembly District and was elected to the California State Assembly on November 3, 1992. Her highly Democratic “working blue-collar” district is in the heart of Southeast Los Angeles County and includes the cities and communities of Los Nietos Montebello Norwalk Pico Rivera Santa Fe Springs South El Monte South Whittier and Whittier. The 58th Assembly District has an overwhelming Democratic registration of 63.64% (Dem) to 28.43% (GOP). Assemblywoman Napolitano won in 1992 with a 65% vote margin.
Grace currently serves as a member of the Budget Transportation Local Government and Environmental and Toxic materials committees. Grace is the Chairwoman of the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. She also serves as Chairwoman of the Select Committees on Statewide Immigration Impact California’s Children and The Americas. Grace will continue to make education school safety economic development criminal justice and citizenship central issues on her legislative agenda.
Grace made local political history by becoming the first Latina ever elected to the Norwalk City Council and became the first challenger to ever defeat an elected incumbent in Norwalk city government. In 1986 she won her first election by a wafer-thin margin of 28 votes. Four years later as Mayor of Norwalk she was overwhelmingly re-elected garnering the highest vote in 17 years.
Grace has always put her community first. She has served as a Chairwoman of the SE Los Angeles County Private Industry Council; Director of the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and the Sheriff’s Department Norwalk Sub-station Authority. She also has served as a local PTA President; Norwalk International Friendship Commissioner; US/Mexico Sister Cities Association; VFW Women’s Auxiliary; American Legion Auxiliary; and Founder of the Southeast Coalition for Safe Drinking Water.
A mother of five grown children and grandmother of 11 Grace was forced to work at age 12. She supported a young family through the late 70’s and the early 80’s. She knows what it’s like to work hard.
Grace is married to 1991 Norwalk Citizen of the Year Frank Napolitano. Mr. Napolitano is very busy in local community and philanthropic organizations and is a retired restauranteur.
4/30/95