Assemblymember Rendon Recognizes Mary Ransom as Woman of the Year

Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) today recognized longtime Lynwood resident Mary Ransom as the 2018 Woman of the Year for the 63rd Assembly District.

"Mary has been a driving force for improving the lives and educational opportunities of several generations of Lynwood students," Rendon said. "Mary's nickname of 'Mama Ransom' holds true for the scores of students she's positively impacted over the years."

Ransom founded the District African American Advisory Parent Council (DAAAPC) in 2002 to provide resources and support to the African American student population of Lynwood. Since the council's founding, she has brought together parents, teachers and administrators to work together to provide student opportunities by holding events focused on student enrichment and empowerment.

The DAAAPC holds two major events a year — the Teen Summit and Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

More than 300 students participate in the day-long Teen Summit, which promotes rebuilding writing skills in preparation for Common Core testing. In conjunction with the Teen Summit, DAAAPC holds parent workshops to empower and inspire parents to become advocates for their children.

“I am so proud of our students and of the DAAAPC," Ransom said about the Teen Summit. "We are here to support them and provide every chance for them to succeed in their dreams and goals."

The annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony recognizes African American students from all 18 Lynwood Unified schools for their hard work and dedication to academics with scholarships ranging from $25 to $600. Last year's ceremony saw more than 100 K-12 students receive nearly $10,000 in scholarships.

“This event gives all students an opportunity to be proud of themselves and to know they are special," said Ransom. "By identifying and rewarding students who might not always receive this kind of recognition, it motivates them and other students to continue trying their hardest and achieving their best.”

In 2017, Ransom successfully guided DAAAPC to receiving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Ransom is a single mother of four children, a grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of four. All her four children attended Lynwood Unified schools, three of her grandchildren attended Lynwood schools, and one of her great-grandchildren currently attends a school in Lynwood.