Census Tract 4603.02 is the central Western section of Altadena bordered on the west roughly by the Arroyo Seco or the Pasadena City limits thereabout; by Altadena Drive on the north; by Fair Oaks Avenue on the east; and by Ventura Street on the south.
Representatives
DR. SANDRA E. THOMAS is a resident of Altadena for 36 years and is known as a leader who gets the job done. She is a community advocate who firmly believes that economic challenges should never overshadow achievement. Because of her dedication to that philosophy and love of community, she is considered to be one of the most highly regarded and respected voices in Altadena. As a citizen of Altadena, Dr. Thomas’s involvements have been immeasurable and imperative. In 2004 she founded the Quality of Life Center, Inc., where she serves as Dean to Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) more than 500 highest academic achievers currently in the Bright Futures Scholars Leadership Development Program. To list a few of her achievements: In 2010, Dr. Sandra E. Thomas received the LA County Women’s Commission’s “Woman of the Year Award” for the 5th district. In 2009, she received the “Los Angeles County Love of Children Award” and the “Annual Gold Plate Humanitarian Award.” In 2008 Dr. Thomas was granted the “California Humanitarian and Family Values Award.” She was selected Altadena, California “Citizen of the Year” for 2007. Congressman Adam Schiff selected Dr. Sandra E. Thomas for 2005 “Congressional Woman of the Year.” In 2004 she was the NAACP California State President Award Recipient. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. named her recipient of their “Community Political Awareness Award” in 2003. Dr. Thomas was chosen PUSD’s “Outstanding Mother of the Year” in 1979 as well as Pasadena High School’s “Mother of the Year” in 1980.
Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, a 5-term Altadena Councilmember and Life Member of the Altadena NAACP, held the title of the NAACP Altadena Branch President for four years, served three terms as NAACP California State Director, several years as an NAACP National Trainer, currently sits on the NAACP California State Executive Committee as Chair of Community Coordination. Dr. Thomas has been active in the NAACP since 1952. For 6 consecutive years, she hosted the NAACP Today TV Show, and for the last 9 years has hosted the Quality of Life Today TV Show, focusing on issues in Altadena and the surrounding areas. Other community involvements include: Altadena Sheriff’s Clergy Council, Altadena Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Altadena Crown City Kiwanis-Past President, Altadena Community Center Board of Directors – Past President, and the National Congress of Black Women, Los Angeles Chapter, current Vice President.
Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, a member of the National Congress of Black Women since 2010 serving in various leadership positions, has recently been selected to serve on the Commission for the United States Presidential Appointment of African American Women. This commission canvasses the United States to identify African American women to recommend for high level quality positions within the presidential administration and creates a talent bank of highly qualified African American women for top political appointments.
Dr. Thomas is also the second African-American woman ever appointed to the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission and recently “termed out” as president in June 2011. Her appointment as Commissioner was a culmination of a lifetime of service to the community. Supervisor Michael Antonovich said, “She is a very effective addition to the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission.” Thomas remains the 5th District’s vice president.
Her educational background includes: a BA in Psychology, MA in Engineering and a PhD in Psychological Counseling. Dr. Thomas’s professional talents have benefited all in the communication industry where she was employed as an engineer for 46 years. In 1968, she created what is now known as the 1-“800” toll free telephone system.
Dr. Thomas has often been the unseen force encouraging groups, community leaders and local business owners to unite and focus on saving our community. She is a visionary who has created and developed programs geared to improving the quality of life for all people. Dr. Thomas always has a smile, a big hug and a kind word for all who pass her way. She is a true example of how one committed person, dedicated to her community, with a heart for service, has made a difference for all the people of Altadena.
In July of 2011, Dr. Sandra E. Thomas became the first African American female elected by unanimous vote to Altadena’s highest office, Chair of the council, at the Altadena Town Council meeting. While serving as Chair, Dr. Thomas also designed Altadena’s first official flag, which was raised on Sunday, April 21, 2012 and now flies over many official buildings in Altadena.
In 2013, Dr. Sandra E Thomas and the Quality of Life Center, Inc. received the esteemed Los Angeles County Fifth District John Anson Ford Human Relations Award for service to academically gifted and economically challenged youth and their families in the Pasadena/Altadena area.
In 2014, Dr. Thomas was an Honoree of the New Revelation MBC 47th Pastoral Anniversary “A Time to Honor” Pastor’s Wives Banquet. In 2016, Dr. Sandra E. Thomas was inducted as a Life Member into the National Tuskegee Airman Association.
Dr. Sandra E. Thomas is the widow of Pastor Emeritus A. Douglas Thomas, who pastored the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church of Pasadena for 28 years. As a very active member of Lincoln, Dr. Thomas served as a youth counselor for 26 years. She also taught the Stewardship class in the New Membership Department for 20 years, sang in the Gospel Choir as well as served on the Usher Board, receiving her 50+ years of service pin in 1998. Currently Dr. Thomas is a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena, where her husband was a member for 67 years. At Metropolitan, Dr. Thomas is a church Trustee and also serves on the official Mothers Board of the church. She is the proud mother of three: Rosalyn (Melvis), Vincent (Sandy) and Michael Sr. (Felicia). She is the grandmother of six; Alexandria, Michael Jr., Victoria, Nicole, Ciera and Vincent Jr.
Term Expires 2023
Phone: (626) 399-5007
Email: sandra.thomas@altadenatowncouncil.org
CHRIS O’MALLEY My wife and I had the good fortune to join the Altadena community shortly before the birth of our first child in 2016 and we couldn’t imagine rooting our family anywhere else. Altadena is a gem of a town that manages to mix diversity with small-town friendliness and proximity to the greater metropolitan area with suburban remove. We love the restaurants, small businesses, the library and, most importantly, our neighbors.
The job description presented by the Election Commission reads, in part, that Council Members “hear regular reports… which you can then share with your census tract residents” and that Members are tasked with hearing from their constituents and “assist[ing] them in dealing with the appropriate agency or group.” I look forward to being able to inform and help my neighbors. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your concerns and problems.
Term Expires 2022
Phone: (626) 344-9676
Email: chris.omalley@altadenatowncouncil.org
FB: chrisomalleyATC
