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Tehachapi honors six local women for community service during Women's History Month
Summary
The city recognized six residents for civic volunteerism and service across veterans' support, arts, theater, education, heritage preservation and foster care.
The Tehachapi City Council acknowledged six local women for service to the community as part of a Women's History Month recognition.
The city's community engagement director (unnamed in the meeting record) told the council a selection committee reviewed 115 nominations and chose six recipients. The honorees and highlights cited by the committee were:
- Carrie Morgan: More than 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, senior vice commander of the VFW Post 5948, organized building upgrades, monthly food and coat drives, youth sports sponsorships and volunteer repairs to veterans' homes.
- Gail Caldwell: Longtime leader of the Tehachapi Arts Association (serving multiple terms), organizer of vendor fairs and Maker's Market, and supporter of programs that provide scholarships and art supplies to young artists.
- Chris Morales: Owner of White Rabbit Studios, real estate agent and volunteer with the Tehachapi Community Theater Association; directed and produced local theater, led virtual performances during the pandemic and launched annual events benefiting charity.
- Donna Sullivan Schmidt Dierly: Lifelong Tehachapi resident, former educator and administrator, vice president of the Tehachapi Heritage League and active volunteer with local museums and veterans projects.
- Lynn Eckert: U.S. Marine veteran, drug and alcohol counselor, commander at the American Legion Post 221, and outreach specialist helping veterans access Kern County Honor Flight services.
- Cheryl Johnson: Longtime foster parent and founder/leader of a comfort-quilt charity; hosts and assists Pacific Crest Trail hikers and partners with regional charities that receive the quilts.
Recipients spoke briefly. Carrie Morgan said she was "very, very grateful" for the recognition, and honorees thanked the city and the community for support. The event included presentation remarks and brief acceptance comments from each recipient; it was ceremonial and did not require council action beyond recognition.
