AWARDS
Former CA Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia presenting Lorraine Richards with “Woman of the Year” Award 2022
Lorraine Richards is a lifelong resident of Montebello, she attended Montebello Schools and upon graduating from University, returned to her Alma Mater, Montebello High School as a teacher. Lorraine has been an exceptional Social Studies teacher for more than 20 years and has always found ways to connect with her students.
She has always found ways to contribute to her community in various ways. Lorraine has strong ties to the Montebello-Commerce YMCA, in her youth she participated in the Youth and Government Program and she has continued to be an integral part of the program with many of the students she serves today. In addition to her work in the community, Lorraine has been active in the Montebello Teachers Association, she is a past president and in the California Teachers Association as a Service Center Chairperson, a Liaison to the CA State Board of Education and a member of the CTA ABC. Her work in these various organizations has allowed her the ability to advocate and provide opportunities for fellow educators and students in the cities within Montebello Unified and beyond.
Lorraine lifts up her community, her students and her profession with the support of her family, her husband, Tony, and her children, Amy and Ben.
She exemplifies “Woman of the Year for AD 58!”
2024 John A. Gabriel Layperson of the Year
Lorraine Richards started her YMCA journey while in high school at Montebello High. At that time she was Lorraine Torres. She joined the Youth and Government delegation and guess who her local advisors were…Lydia and Arnold Glasman. She distinguished herself in Y&G and after high school attended University of Riverside where she met a star baseball player for UC Riverside, Tony Richards, who would go on to be her husband. After marrying Tony, the two of them had their children, Amy and Ben, yet Lorraine had not completed her service to the YMCA. She became an advisor to the Montebello-Commerce YMCA Youth & Government delegation and has served in that capacity for many years. In addition to her dedication to the youth of our community through the YMCA, Lorraine is a teacher at Montebello High School and an active representative for all teachers Statewide through the California Teachers Association. A Montebello resident to this day, she is also involved in the Montebello – Ashiya Sister City Association and gives back to our community in so many ways.