Contact: Maureen Shanahan (202) 225-4176

Anita Martin Named a “Woman of the Year” in the 29th Congressional District

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, at a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff (CA-29) honored Anita Martin of Altadena for her commitment and service to our community by naming her a “Woman of the Year.”

“For many years, Anita has spent an extraordinary amount of time and energy helping our nation’s veterans,” Rep. Schiff said. “In addition to Anita’s contributions to veterans, Anita has volunteered extensively in Altadena, helping to enhance educational opportunities for our children, support seniors and abuse victims, and reduce crime within the community.”

Every other week, Anita and her husband of 23 years, Walter, volunteer at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s West LA Domiciliary. They assist veterans with the necessary paperwork for benefits claims; advocate for their health care; help them find shelter; lend a hand to homeless veterans; and act as liaisons with veterans’ families and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. In addition, the Martins raise funds; have donated clothing, computers, a washer and dryer for women veterans; have arranged for a bank to provide direct deposit for the veterans at the West LA Domiciliary; and visited veterans on a regular basis.

Anita is active in several military service organizations. She is currently President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Unit 1898; Junior Vice President of the Department of California’s Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple Heart; and Senior Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 280 in Pasadena. In addition, she has volunteered extensively in Altadena for years with such organizations as the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, where she ran their program for abused women, the Altadena Old Fashion Days Parade, Christmas Tree Lane Association, and Franklin Elementary and Eliot Middle Schools. Along with her husband, Anita formed a Neighborhood Watch Program in their Altadena neighborhood, provided guidance to others in forming their own Neighborhood Watch Programs, and for their leadership, the Martins received the Governor’s Award for Best Crime Prevention in 1992 from then-Governor Deukmejian.

Anita and Walter’s business, Martin’s Famous Louisiana Sausages (formerly Martin’s BBQ) has donated food for years to organizations such as Sacred Heart Church, various homeless shelters, the American Legion, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station and the USO. Most recently, Anita and Walter organized a program where several economically challenged senior citizens received gift cards and shopped for food at a local grocery store, with the assistance of JROTC students.

Every March, during Women’s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th 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.

Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

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