Champion Profile: Deborah Davies

Originally from a rural area in eastern Alabama, Deborah grew up on a farm and spent many of her younger days reading and exercising her imagination. She attended college at the University of Mississippi, majoring in English and theatre. After graduating, she came to Los Angeles to try her luck in the entertainment industry. While successfully working in both worlds of entertainment and business, Deborah recorded an album of songs she had written titled "Back to Earth."

Later realizing that she wanted to work with children and families, Deborah pursued a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. Now a licensed marriage & family therapist, she has a passion for family literacy and social justice that has been a driving force behind her delivery of hundreds of family support, education and strengthening programs throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Among her many successful initiatives, Deborah was the visionary behind the Annual Festival of Readers, a family literacy event held on the campus of L.A. Mission College. In 2004 she was honored by then Assemblymember Cindy Montanez as a "Woman of Distinction" for the 39th Assembly District. She is also a founding member of the Joint City and County Juvenile Justice Task Force and currently serves as convener for the SPA 2 Council of the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council.

Deborah has been married 23 years to husband Stephen. Together they have two daughters, Katie and Audrey.

What makes you happy? Angry?

Watching my daughters become strong, independent women makes me happy. What makes me angry is hearing anyone talk about a child as a "lost cause" for any reason.

Which historical figure do you admire most and why?

Rosa Parks because she was a quiet, humble, courageous catalyst for change.

Which living person do you most admire and why?

Most recently Hillary Clinton has my admiration as the woman who was taken very seriously in her run for the presidential nomination. It was less than a hundred years ago that this country gave women the nation wide right to vote.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Walker. She taught me to look at poverty as the responsibility of each and every person in a community

What is your motto?

Everyone matters!

‹‹Back to this week's Monday Morning Report