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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2008   

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Sarah Mason at (916) 651-4011

JEANETTE WATSON OF CAMPBELL NAMED 11TH SENATE DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Campbell resident Jeanette Watson has been named the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year.  She was chosen because of her leadership in civic improvement and historical preservation, including spearheading projects for seniors, community beautification, and cultural growth.

“Jeanette has made a deep and lasting contribution to the well-being of Campbell,” Simitian said.  “Ultimately, a community is a reflection of the people who call it home.  Campbell is a better place because of Jeanette Watson.”

Watson was the founding chair of the City’s Civic Improvement Commission in 1972 and established its Senior Coordinating Committee.  In 1976, she founded the Campbell Historical Museum as a bicentennial project for third-grade students to experience living in the past, then served as its curator and president.  She also launched the effort to remodel a former school auditorium into the Heritage Theatre and led the move and restoration of the city’s historic Ainsley House.

Among her other leadership roles in the community have been serving as past President of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Campbell Citizens for Beautification, which won two national awards for community beautification and clean-up.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, not just for myself but for Campbell,” said Watson.  “It’s wonderful to have one’s contribution to the community honored in this way.”

In addition to her many civic activities, Watson is known for authoring the city’s history in a book entitled, “Campbell, the Orchard City,” sales of which provide income to the Historical Museum.  She also composed the city’s song, “Orchard City Green” about a grassy square in downtown Campbell. 

Watson also holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the Campbell City Council, on which she served five terms as Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmember.  She retired in December 2006. 

Watson will be honored in a formal ceremony on the floor of the State Senate on Monday, March 10th.

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