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ABOUT US

The Man & Woman of the Year committee honors two outstanding Santa Clarita
citizens each year. Nominated by local not-for-profit organizations, SCV's most
dedicated volunteers are publicly thanked for their community-minded contributions.
A vote taken by previous Man & Woman of the Year winners determines the current
recipients of this prestigious title.

The History of Man & Woman of the Year
In 1964, the Santa Clarita Valley was a relatively small community of scattered housing tracts,
assorted strip malls, and a smattering of businesses- and a mood of unrest was settling over the area.
1he residents were growing weary of their dependence on a county government which didn't seem
sympathetic to their needs for local services. 111e handful of charitable organizations were equally
weary of making do with the current work-intensive, low-income fundraisers (luaus, Las Vegas
Nights, and dinner dances) because United Way wasn't quite sure which valley they belonged to -
San Fernando or Antelope. Over the years, officials had to be cold more than once that Newhall,
Saugus, Valencia, and Canyon Country were in a valley of their own.
Volunteerism was the strongest thing that SCV residents had going for them - that, and a plucky
little chamber of commerce whose name, Newhall-Saugus Chamber of Commerce, was almost
longer than its membership list (it would soon be longer when "Valencia" was added). lhe
leaders of the chamber were some of the most dedicated volunteers in the valley; they were
seasoned veterans of the phrase "If you want something done, do it yourself" They decided they
would counter che passiveness of downtown L.A. leaders, by creating an event that would honor
those who really did "get things done."
In keeping with the prevailing "male domination" and bias in the membership, the 1964 chamber
event honored a man -- local historian AB. Perkins -- and he was named Outstanding Citizen. It
was not until 1971, that women were added co the category when Coordinating Council leader and
all-round club volunteer, Olive Ruby, was named the first Woman of the Year.
A quick survey of the past Men and Women of che Year reveals that there were no honorees in
1982. That also reAects a bias of the times. The community was now much larger and so were the
businesses inAuencing the chamber. The chamber board decided to drop functions that weren't
business-related and weren't money-makers. Unwilling to let the event die, the Man and Woman
of the Year alumni cook over the planning the following year and have been hosting the function
ever since.
Throughout the years, the selection criteria have remained fairly consistent. Organizations or
individuals submit the names of nominees who have shown long-time community commitment.
ll1eir service is judged in terms of the number of years of volunteerism, the impact on the
community, and the number of organizations involved. The former recipients review all
submittals and, following lengthy discussions and sometimes a debate or two, mark their ballots.
1he man and woman who receive the greatest number of votes become the honorees for the year.