Assemblywoman Harkey Honors our own Terry A. Rifkin as 73rd Assembly District Woman of the Year

SACRAMENTO - Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) yesterday honored Terry A. Rifkin as the 2012 Woman of the Year for the 73rd Assembly District during a special ceremony on the Assembly floor.

Terry is a licensed clinical social worker and has been in private practice as a licensed psychotherapist since 1981. Her involvement in social work extends past the office with her participation as a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Society for Clinical Social Work.

"It is an honor for me to be able to recognize an outstanding woman in the 73rd district every year.  Terry Rifkin serves as an example to everyone on what a true volunteer is,” said Assemblywoman Harkey. “The number of unpaid hours Terry devotes to our troops and her community is a testament to how one person can improve the lives of untold numbers of people.”

In addition to social work, Mrs. Rifkin is a charter member of the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club, a volunteer for the JF Shea Therapeutic Riding Center for disabled children and adults, and the Director of Support and Outreach for the Dana Point 5th Marines Regiment Support Group.

A resident of Dana Point, Terry met her husband in Rotary and together they discovered a shared interest in community service. She served as President in 1995-96 and went on to fill the job of Assistant Governor in 1996-97.  She is a three time Paul Harris Fellow and has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors of her club.  Her leadership was recognized when Rotary District 5320 awarded Terry “Rotarian Business Person of the Year” in 2008.

Held annually, the Woman of the Year ceremony celebrates California's extraordinary women.  Started in 1987 to help commemorate Women's History Month, the event has become an annual Capitol tradition to salute community service.  Honorees are presented with a framed certificate from the State Assembly recognizing their outstanding contributions during a special ceremony in the Assembly chambers.

Assemblywoman Harkey represents the 73rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Oceanside, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano