Butler Honors Redondo Woman

Redondo Beach resident Deborah Dicochea was honored Friday at Assemblywoman Betsy Butler's luncheon marking the culmination of Women's History Month, according to a news release from Butler's office.

Dicochea, whose Facebook profile indicates that she's a manager at the Mattel Philanthropy and Children's Foundation, was recognized as one of five women of distinction. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles President and CEO Sue Dunlap was recognized as the 53rd Assembly District's Woman of the Year.

"These women are pillars of the community," Butler said in the news release. "They are leaders in defending the rights of women, ensuring access to critical health services and protecting children. It is a privilege to stand alongside them to recognize and celebrate their important work."

In addition to Dicochea and Dunlap, Dr. Rebecca E. Foo of the Switzer Learning Center, Leslie Starr Heimov of the Children's Law Center of California, Katie Hill of Sage Wellness, and Kathy Spillar of the Feminist Majority Foundation and MS. Magazine were honored.

In Redondo Beach, Dicochea last year waged a six-month battle to at . Though the Redondo Beach Board of Education ultimately voted 3-2 against maintaining a sixth-grade class at Jefferson, Dicochea earned praise for her efforts.