You can’t say Santa Clarita without mentioning Connie Worden-Roberts. Afterall, she is a vital part of the formation of the City of Santa Clarita.
Raised in Minnesota, Connie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from San Jose State before making her way to the SCV in 1970. No time to waste, Connie began volunteering for many organizations, and in 1974, was one of the first women elected to serve on the governing board for the Boys & Girls Club.
You can’t say Santa Clarita without mentioning Connie Worden-Roberts. Afterall, she is a vital part of the formation of the City of Santa Clarita.
Raised in Minnesota, Connie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from San Jose State before making her way to the SCV in 1970. No time to waste, Connie began volunteering for many organizations, and in 1974, was one of the first women elected to serve on the governing board for the Boys & Girls Club.
As if she wasn’t busy enough, Connie served on the Hart school Board of Trustees, the North County Citizens Planning Council, the Newhall-Saugus-Valencia Chamber of Commerce and was also an active leader in the Canyon Country Formation Committee. The list of services goes on and on.
Connie played an important role in our City’s formation and served as the leader for the formation committee in the 1980’s. She personally gathered 2,000 of the 24,000 signatures needed for the petition for cityhood, even recalling the formation committee seeking a 70-mile boundary for the City but receiving a 39 square mile city instead, according to city officials. On December 15, 1987, the City of Santa Clarita was officially incorporated, being the largest City ever to incorporate in the history of California. In the City’s 20th Anniversary History Book, Connie wrote, “We were very proud that when the vote was taken, there was an overwhelming vote to favor the city formation, and at the same time, elect the city mothers and fathers for the City Council.”
Connie became a member of the City’s Planning Commission shortly after the city’s incorporation and chaired numerous transportation committees in the Santa Clarita Valley. In 1990, she started her own business as Transportation Management Association and was appointed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich to the North County Transportation Coalition. She served as an active board member in the Valley Industrial Association as well as co-chair of the SCV Transportation Alliance. She has even been dubbed, “Road Warrior” for her tenacious work getting roads for our commuters. In addition to her work, she has also served on many local boards including the Chamber of Commerce, Zonta and Friends of Hart Park.
For many decades, Connie has dedicated her time and efforts to enhance the quality of life in the community and has made a tremendous impact on our City’s development. Just a few months ago, Mayor Laurene Weste hosted a Lifetime of Service Tribute to honor Connie and her work. Many residents and officials gathered for this special tribute to Connie, including State Senator Steve Knight, Boys & Girls Club leader Jim Ventress, and Gloria Mercado-Fortine, to name a few. “Connie has served so many so well for so long, she deserves to be recognized for her lifetime of dedication to Santa Clarita,” states Mayor Laurene Weste.
Thank you, Connie, for your lifetime commitment to our community!
Photos courtesy City of Santa Clarita