Denise Rushing honored as Woman of the Year for 4th Assembly District

SACRAMENTO, CA – Former Lake County Supervisor Denise Rushing was honored Monday in the state Capitol as the 2015 Woman of the Year for the 4th Assembly District. Every year, the state Assembly honors one woman from each of the state’s Assembly Districts who has significantly contributed to her local communities.

“I am humbled to receive this honor, and I want to recognize that any accomplishments credited to me were done with the support of others,” said Rushing. “Serving Lake County has been a tremendous privilege, and I will continue working to better our community and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Rushing served eight years on the Lake County Board of Supervisors until January of this year, and has served on numerous community boards and commissions. During her time on the Board, Rushing built a track record advancing environmental stewardship and revitalizing the North Shore.

“Denise has been a dedicated public servant, and really exemplifies the spirit of commitment to community,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “We are very fortunate to have caring, hard-working people like her in our district.”

Among her achievements, Rushing championed 3.2 megawatts of county-sponsored solar installations, supported County preservation of 1500 acres atop Mt. Konocti in perpetuity, and an update to the County General Plan of Development that will help shape the future of Lake County for years to come. Rushing also spearheaded progress on the Middlecreek wetland restoration, a project vital to the health of Clear Lake, and led revitalization efforts along the North Shore of Clear Lake including refurbishing the Lucerne “Castle” and the opening of Marymount California University Lucerne Campus, supporting the Live Oak and Lucerne Alpine Senior Centers, and advancing the plaza, pier and seawall at Third Avenue in Lucerne.

Rushing is now the Vice President of Institutional Relations for the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity and founder of the Dancing TreePeople Organic Farm Community in Upper Lake, where she works, writes, and lives with her partner Loretta McCarthy. 

The 4th Assembly District is represented by Assemblymember Bill Dodd and includes all or portions of Lake, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Colusa Counties.

CONTACT: Ezrah Chaaban, (916) 319-2004