A Woman of Distinction
____ E T Russell, The prestigious ‘Women of Distinction’ Award was awarded to Elaine Tennity of Big Bear Lake at the ‘Women
of Distinction’ Awards Ceremony and Dinner,
Friday June 20th.
The 2014 ‘Women of Distinction’
Awards Ceremony was a special event, as honorees and guests celebrated its
10th Anniversary. After Bill Emerson’s resignation from the California 63rd
District, newly elected Assemblyman Michael Morrell presented the honorees with
their awards.
The
annual ‘Women of Distinction’ event celebrates extraordinary women who have
selflessly given of themselves to serve others through community service or
civic involvement. Over the years more than 500 women have been honored
throughout the region.
Every
year, cities, chambers, past winners, and non-profit groups are asked to submit
nominations for those they feel deserve to be honored as a Women of Distinction
for their commitment to helping others. Out of the many nominations from
several desert and mountain communities, 50 women were chosen to be honored at
the 2014 ceremony.
Elaine
Tennity was an educator, previously to her and husband Tom relocating to Big
Bear Lake. Right away, Elaine got
acquainted agencies, service organizations and businesses in the community. She’s
been supportive of citizen groups with the fire departments, school programs
and drug and alcohol prevention groups.
Tennity
was one of several founders of the Big Bear Valley Hummingbird Project, Incorporated,
a 501 3 c non-profit organization, that serves low-to-moderate income families.
For more than ten years, Tennity has organized and operated the Big Bear Valley
Hummingbird Project store, located in Big Bear City. Tennity estimates that the Project has helped
more than 2500 children and their families.
Elaine
Tennity recognized for her commitment to various volunteerism and memberships
in various community projects, especially those that benefited families with
school-age children. Her achievements are:
COMMUNITY
SERVICE GROUPS
American
Association of University Women (AAUW) President, Sugarloaf Property Owners
Association President, Measure Q community
volunteer, Kiwanis of Big Bear, Big Bear
Computer Club, Friends of the Library, Big Bear Zoo Docent, Bear Valley Collaborative,
COAD, BVUSD Healthy Start, Breakthrough
Task Force, Big Bear Chamber of Commerce.
COMMUNITY
SERVICES
Mountain
Communities Health Fair, Big Bear Chamber events, Soroptimist International of
Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino County community service programs with the Big
Bear Valley Hummingbird Project.
Participated
with: OJT Community Service (on-the-job)
training program for adults and youth, Cal Works (when it was in effect)
coordinated food banks, Kiwanis Gift for
Kids Program donating clothing and Thanksgiving Turkey baskets to families need,
as well as with local agencies and churches.
Financial
assistance with tuition for children to go to after school and/or school break activities,
school supplies, haircuts, and shoes to low income children. Each year a scholarship is awarded to a
graduating Big Bear High School Senior. These
activities are made possible through the contributions of the Big Bear Valley
Hummingbird Project, Incorporated.
AWARDS:
City
of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County Grant Writing received Cash Awards. Big Bear Chamber 2012 Best of Non-profits - The
Hummingbird Project, Bear Valley Unified School District Scholarship Program
Awards
EDUCATION
AND DEGREES:
University
of California BA in Business/Education, Los Angeles MA in School Administration
Cal Lutheran, Moorpark Teaching credentials for K-12, Counseling credential.
School Administration credentials.