2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Achievements Celebrated
Professor Arantxa Rodriguez and business woman Mimi Song receive honors.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Valley College film professor Arantxa Rodriguez and Mimi Song, CEO of Superior Super Warehouse were honored Wednesday morning at the fourth annual, "Women in Education" celebration.
"We recognized women who make a difference, have succeeded in life," said Valley College President Tyree Wieder, "Other students think, 'Maybe that's something I could do."
More than thirty students, faculty, and administrators attended the event including past recipients and other nominees from this year.
Dianne Wintrob, Music department chair and one of this year's nominees paid tribute to Rodriguez. "I'm delighted, so proud," she said.
The intimate fireside room blooming with color and warmed by a cozy fire put both recipients in the hot seat, answering questions about achievements, advice, and future goals.
"The event began as a means to recognize the commitment of female faculty and staff," said Sherri Rodriguez, associate dean of student services.
This time the award sponsored by the Associated Student Union went to Rodriguez and Song for their dedication to educational issues and motivating other women.
"I feel very proud that we have events at Valley honoring women who work hard to provide a better education and of course are a role model for young women [like] me." said ASU, Commissioner of Ethnic and Cultural Affairs, Heidy Pineda.
Rodriguez came from Spain with a Bachelor's Degree in film from the University of Madrid, but without English skills. While earning her M.F.A at UCLA she learned English in the hallways, taking home flyers at night and translating from Spanish.
"I knew apple, book, teacher and bus," she said laughing.
Song, who came from South Korea in 1977, has never seen being a woman in the business world as an obstacle.
"I never thought because I'm a woman I can't do something," said Song whose partnership with Valley's job training program has already placed more than 1,200 employees at her 20 Superior Warehouse Stores.
This year Song will add three more stores, bringing her super grocery market whose motto is, U-bag and U-Save, to more Los Angeles locations.
"This year she has contracted to train 400 future store managers through the program," said Lennie Ciufo, director of job training at Valley.
Rodriguez has been a member of the LACCD Project Match program for the last eight years helping to mentor students each semester in their film studies.
"Be open, flexible and deal with all kinds of situations," she said are key lessons she teaches.
Song helps drives her employees by visiting each of her stores to personally encourage them, saying, "I motivate people to go to the next level."
Rodriguez and Song are both strong role models that have cleared the path for other women. But Song cautioned that there are no shortcuts on the path to success.
"No elevator," she said. "I take one step at a time."
"We recognized women who make a difference, have succeeded in life," said Valley College President Tyree Wieder, "Other students think, 'Maybe that's something I could do."
More than thirty students, faculty, and administrators attended the event including past recipients and other nominees from this year.
Dianne Wintrob, Music department chair and one of this year's nominees paid tribute to Rodriguez. "I'm delighted, so proud," she said.
The intimate fireside room blooming with color and warmed by a cozy fire put both recipients in the hot seat, answering questions about achievements, advice, and future goals.
"The event began as a means to recognize the commitment of female faculty and staff," said Sherri Rodriguez, associate dean of student services.
This time the award sponsored by the Associated Student Union went to Rodriguez and Song for their dedication to educational issues and motivating other women.
"I feel very proud that we have events at Valley honoring women who work hard to provide a better education and of course are a role model for young women [like] me." said ASU, Commissioner of Ethnic and Cultural Affairs, Heidy Pineda.
Rodriguez came from Spain with a Bachelor's Degree in film from the University of Madrid, but without English skills. While earning her M.F.A at UCLA she learned English in the hallways, taking home flyers at night and translating from Spanish.
"I knew apple, book, teacher and bus," she said laughing.
Song, who came from South Korea in 1977, has never seen being a woman in the business world as an obstacle.
"I never thought because I'm a woman I can't do something," said Song whose partnership with Valley's job training program has already placed more than 1,200 employees at her 20 Superior Warehouse Stores.
This year Song will add three more stores, bringing her super grocery market whose motto is, U-bag and U-Save, to more Los Angeles locations.
"This year she has contracted to train 400 future store managers through the program," said Lennie Ciufo, director of job training at Valley.
Rodriguez has been a member of the LACCD Project Match program for the last eight years helping to mentor students each semester in their film studies.
"Be open, flexible and deal with all kinds of situations," she said are key lessons she teaches.
Song helps drives her employees by visiting each of her stores to personally encourage them, saying, "I motivate people to go to the next level."
Rodriguez and Song are both strong role models that have cleared the path for other women. But Song cautioned that there are no shortcuts on the path to success.
"No elevator," she said. "I take one step at a time."
