LOS ANGLES—At a luncheon in Hollywood on Tuesday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honored inspiring women from communities in the 28th Congressional District among them Sonia Tatulian of Tujunga. This recognition is made each year during Women’s History Month.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to meet with the 2014 ‘Women of the Year’ awardees, and to recognize their outstanding work and community leadership,” said Rep. Schiff. “Each woman honored today has demonstrated an ability to help others, to work tirelessly for a cause important to us all, and to make our communities a better place. They serve as a shining example of service throughout the 28th Congressional District, and it was wonderful to recognize their extraordinary work and capabilities.”
Every year, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 28th Congressional District. These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.
Joining Tatulian as part of the 2014 Women of the Year were Alexandra Helfrich (Burbank), Alice Steere Coulombe (Pasadena), Barbara Ferris (Los Feliz), Blaire Lennane (Elysian Valley), Cheryl Davis (La Crescenta), Christy Schilling (Glendale), Drian Juarez (Hollywood), Martha Burns (La Cañada Flintridge), Nadine Trujillo (Silver Lake), Elizabeth Garo (Echo Park), Ruth Williams (West Hollywood), and Shelli-Anne Couch (Atwater Village).
Schiff entered a special tribute to each woman into the Congressional Record. See Tatulian’s tribute below:
I rise today in honor of Women’s History Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation’s women. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Sonia Tatulian of Tujunga.
Born in Armenia, Ms. Tatulian and her family immigrated to the United States in 1974 when she was a teenager. While attending Hollywood High School, she went to work in a Beverly Hills bridal shop doing a variety of jobs, including pressing, altering, and selling wedding gowns. This began her career in the retail industry, which would go on to span two decades.
In 1989, Ms. Tatulian bought her home in Tujunga, and soon after she obtained her real estate license and began a part-time flower business. After changing careers for a position with Wells Fargo, Ms. Tatulian realized she wanted to help businesses and become more involved in her community. She was able to fulfill this aspiration once she started her new position as Manager at the Sunland Bank of America. Ms. Tatulian then became a member of the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce, Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club and the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club. She served as President of the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce and increased membership from 63 to 175 members, all while being the Treasurer of the Rotary and Lions Clubs.
Ms. Tatulian also founded the non-profit organization, the Sunland-Tujunga-Shadow Hills Community Fund, which is the parent company of Voice of the Village, a local newspaper. The Fund took over the organization of the annual Fourth of July Fireworks event, with the proceeds and matching grants going to Verdugo Hills High School programs. Proceeds from the newspaper support the high school’s journalism class. Recently, Ms. Tatulian founded the “Welcome to the Foothills” company, a free service where she visits new home owners, welcomes them and provides them with important information about the community. In addition, she volunteers with the Verdugo Hills Family YMCA.
I ask all Members to join me in honoring an exceptional woman of California’s 28th Congressional District, Sonia Tatulian.
Congrats to all Ladies for their service to Human Race
Our famous poet Paruyr Sevak said,
“We are few… They call us Armenians”
I will add “we have Artful hands to give,
Beautiful Voice to sing …
And kind Heart to share with others and celebrate …Wherever we site
Thus… we are many with our Gifted Artful Cells…
We are called Armenians…
We are ready to help every human…
Can you tell each one for what genes thee belongs…I knew my Lady Armenian Tatulian…Just by one look…I can see Irish..I can See German blood…Italian… Chinese…on the second row…on the right… I can see some Armenian blood…!!!