Sue Dell wins Jeanette Rankin Award

LANCASTER – Sue Dell was presented with the second annual 2012 Jeanette Rankin Award from the League of Women Voters Antelope Valley, city officials announced Thursday.

“Sue Dell has made countless contributions to our community,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “With enthusiasm and tenacity which inspires others to follow in her footsteps, Sue is a well-deserving recipient for the Jeanette Rankin award.”

Passionate about equal rights and full access, Sue Dell possesses more than 25 years of experience serving on various non-profit boards, bringing conscientious dedication to her efforts to end bullying and support equality throughout the Antelope Valley.

Dell, a dependency court attorney in Los Angeles County for more than 15 years, has represented the legal needs of nearly 1,400 court-appointed Antelope Valley residents. She is also a certified mediator, having finalized nearly 100 child adoptions.

Dell presently serves as the Founding Chair for the City of Lancaster’s Tapestry Commission. She also serves on the Board of The OUTreach Center, which provides quality support services, community advocacy, and professional resources to the local lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community.

The Jeanette Rankin award, named after the first woman to be elected to Congress, recognizes outstanding individuals, who have overcome obstacles, made a difference in their community, mobilized others and worked to meet the needs of the Antelope Valley community.

The only other finalist is Lancaster City Council Member Sandra Johnson. As CEO and co-founder of the University of Antelope Valley (UAV), Johnson has dedicated much of her life to the education of others. The University of Antelope Valley graduates more than 1,000 students a year, with programs ranging from master’s level to career-specific certificates. UAV boasts three campuses and an athletics program and employs more than 100 local residents.

Attributing their success to putting vision before profit, Sandra and her husband Marco continually give back to the Antelope Valley community, supporting local charity and family shelter organizations, hosting community outreach events at UAV, and assisting local entrepreneurs with guidance and support.

“Both these women hold important roles and carry significant responsibility in our community. We are grateful for their valuable contributions to the City, and congratulate them on their recent nominations,” concluded Parris.

(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster.)

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