Immediate Medical Center’s Simmons Named ‘Woman of the Year’
Pictured from left to right are Chamber Board Member Barbara Martine, President/CEO of Datapage Inc.; 2008 Woman of the Year Helene Simmons of Immediate Medical Center; Chamber Board Vice President Debbie Payne of the Commerce Casino; and Eddie D. Tafoya, Executive Director of the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce.
IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CENTER’S SIMMONS NAMED ‘WOMAN OF THE YEAR’
Sold out luncheon celebrates Administrative Professionals Day in Hawaiian Fashion
(April 23, 2008) Commerce, CA – The Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce recently convened its sold out Annual Women in Business Luncheon on April 23 at Steven’s Steak & Seafood House in Commerce. The luncheon brought together nearly 400 women in business from throughout Commerce and its surrounding communities to commemorate Administrative Professionals Day (formerly known as Professional Secretaries Day). Administrative Professionals Week is always the last full week of April, with Wednesday of that week being designated Administrative Professionals Day.
“The luncheon was established as an annual opportunity to recognize the increasing value and contributions of women who epitomize the drive, innovation, courage, and civic responsibility of America’s most successful women in business, government, academia, and the arts,” said Commerce Industrial Council Executive Director Eddie D. Tafoya.
“This luncheon is also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions that office support, administrative staff, and other office professionals provide in today’s workplace,” added Tafoya.
For the second year in a row, the chamber honored a woman with its “Woman of the Year” Award, recognizing an executive for their “outstanding achievements and valuable contributions in business and the community.”
The chamber selected Helene Simmons of Immediate Medical Center as its 2008 “Woman of the Year” recipient. She was honored before a sold out crowd comprised of both, women and men in attendance. Accepting her award, Simmons spoke about the contributions and achievements of women in business, and highlighted her work in Commerce and the chamber.
Specifically, Simmons noted partnering with local elected officials while Board President of the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce to form the Mayor’s Business Relations Committee, established under her tenure as president, and created to improve communications between the Chamber’s member businesses and city hall.
Simmons, who served as board president from 2005 to 2007, represents Immediate Medical Center in its work with several community organizations, including the City’s annual health and wellness fair, the art show, and National Night Out to name a few. She is also active on the Chamber’s Ambassadors Committee, serving as an Ambassador and assisting in the planning of the Chamber’s many activities and programs. She has been with Immediate Medical Center since 1998, and has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2002.
The event’s Major Sponsor was the Commerce Casino, along with Platinum Sponsor El Aviso Magazine, Gold Sponsors Roquemore, Pringle & Moore Inc. and the Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra Energy Utility, and our Silver Sponsor Datapage Inc..
We appreciate the support of all of our event sponsors, and extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of them for their ongoing support!
And finally, congratulations Helene Simmons on being named the 2008 Woman of the Year!
Since 1959, the Commerce Industrial Council, a chamber of commerce, has helped hundreds of businesses take root in the City of Commerce. It has been the voice of business since incorporation of the city, January 28, 1960.
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