Passing of California Assemblywomen Gwen Moore
August 21, 2020
Former California Assemblywomen Gwen Moore passed away on Aug. 19, 2020. According to other website, her family has not released the cause of her death.
Moore was first elected to the state legislature in 1978 and served for 16 years until 1994, representing California’s 49th district (redistricted and renumbered in 1990 as the 47th district), which currently includes Long Beach, Catalina Island and parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Moore was the architect behind California General Order 156. It is a state supplier diversity program that has, over the years, strengthened and stabilized a number of minority-owned small businesses by helping them secure California Investor-Owned Utilities contracts.
Many minority-owned businesses, including Asian-American owned companies obtained contacts from this legislation along.
Diverse community comments:
Gwen Moore was the Mother of Supplier Diversity in California and an icon in the nation. We will deeply miss Gwen.
– Drisha Melton, CPUC
I will surely miss her.
– Tracy Stanhoff, President, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CA
I loved her. Whenever we met, we laughed a lot. She was very special and will be missed so much by so many.
– Virginia Gomez, CEO & President, Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council
It is with great sadness to hear this news she always called me a troublemaker , she will be missed.
– Dr. Ruben Guerra, PhD, Chairman, Latin Business Association
This is absolutely heart-breaking. Gwen was sitting behind me at the presidential debate at Loyola Marymount in December, we shared a laugh and I was able to thank her for her voice and her advocacy. I am so very sorry to hear this news.
– Marquita Thomas, Executive Director, Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
Gwen was always the one to bring us together on so many issues, especially Supplier Diversity. Beyond being a tough negotiator and a standard-bearer for racial and gender equality, she was always the convener, the balancing act, the one who knew how to get things done in our state. And she always reminded us what the true mission was and is.
– Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, CEO, 2020 Women on Boards
I remember her strong and committed voice for diversity. As a member of the DGS Small Business Advisory Board and a participant in the supplier diversity meetings of the CPUC, I always admired Gwen.
– Renee White Fraser, PhD, CEO , Fraser Communications
Such a champion for disadvantaged communities. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time.
– Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO, California Asian Chamber of Commerce
Because of Gwen, my kids can use the restroom when we are at grocery stores. It may not mean a lot for many, but these “common sense laws” in her words, made a huge impact for me and my young children at that time. In the spirit of Gwen, we’ll need to pass Prop 16. Sad and forever grateful. Miss you Gwen.
– Dennis Huang, Executive Director, Asian Business Association