Betty White Honored As Woman Of The Year In California

SANTA MONICA, CA — Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) will honor television legend and animal rights advocate Betty White as the 50th Assembly District’s 2021 "Woman of the Year."

White will receive the award in recognition of Women’s History Month. A special virtual ceremony will honor her on Monday, along with other women from across California who are also recognized by their state senators and assemblymembers for their accomplishments and contributions to the Golden State.

"Betty White is often called a national treasure," Bloom said in a statement. "She is known not only for her prolific career in television, but also for trailblazing a path for women pursuing careers in television, and her staunch animal welfare advocacy."

White is a seven-time Emmy Award winner. She is recognized as the first woman to produce a sitcom and was one of the first women to hold positions both in front of and behind the camera. A dedicated supporter of animal health and wellness, White is a trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and serves as President Emeritus of Morris Animal Foundation, where she has been a trustee since 1971. In 2006, she was honored by the City of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Zoo as “Ambassador to the Animals” for her lifelong work for animal welfare. She was proclaimed an honorary forest ranger by the U.S. Forest Service in 2010 and made an honorary zookeeper by the keepers of the Los Angeles Zoo, two occupations she considered as a child and before becoming an actress.

"I am surprised and honored to be recognized for Woman of the Year," White said. "It is good to be 99."

"Betty White represents the best of Hollywood and the business of entertainment," Bloom said. "A staple on the television screen, she has brought laughter into the homes of generations of families. She is adamant on using her considerable platform to bring awareness to improving the lives of animals, and always with kindness, warmth, and humor."

White has earned numerous awards during her entertainment career spanning more than 80 years, including the following: an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in Daytime, a Career Achievement Award from the Television Critics Association, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting from the American Women in Radio and Television, AP Entertainer of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, a People’s Choice Award for "Favorite TV Icon," the TV Land Legend Award, and the Icon Award for Women in Television from the Paley Center for Media. She has also been added to the Guinness World Records under the title, "Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (Female)" and was named the world’s "Most Trusted Celebrity" by Reuters.

The Woman of the Year event was founded in 1987 by Assemblymember Bev Hansen (R) and Assemblymember Sally Turner (D) in response to the California Legislature’s lack of events for Women’s History Month. The now-annual event is sponsored by the Women’s Caucus and allows each state senator and assemblymember to select one woman from their district to honor for their accomplishments.

Richard Bloom Chairs the Assembly Budget Sub-Committee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation and represents California’s 50th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Topanga, West Hollywood and West Los Angeles.