The Miracle Mile Democratic Club (MMDC) honored local movers and shakers Julie Stromberg and Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, at the annual Miracle Awards ceremony on Sunday, as well as progressive organizations.

Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, and Julie Stromberg were
honored with “Miracle” Awards on Sunday.
(courtesy of the Miracle Mile Democratic Club)

Stromberg, the recording secretary for the club, was honored as member of the year for her community activism. Stromberg is an attorney and mother who can usually be found volunteering in the community – whether it’s as the chair of a committee with the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, or on the board of directors for the Los Angeles City College Foundation, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the Ebell of Los Angeles.

She was elected to the board of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council in 2014. She is a member of the land use and outreach committees and is chair of the transportation committee. Last summer, she noticed there was a lot of interest in the community to learn about ways individual households can help with the drought, so she founded the environmental and sustainability committee. She said she thought it would be a committee the community would respond to, and it did quickly.

This year, the committee hosted the inaugural drought-tolerant garden tour with 400 attendees. The committee also created the first partnership between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and a neighborhood council to start a conservation contest with residents, called “180 Days to Turn it Around.” The challenge highlighted ways that participants in Greater Wilshire saved money on their bill and reduced their water use with help from LADWP.

For her work, Ryu recommended Stromberg as one of the District 4 representatives for the Los Angeles Community Forest Advisory Council. Mayor Eric Garcetti then appointed her for the position.

As a member of the board of directors for LACC Foundation, Stromberg is excited to be part of a new project that aims to work with private investors to create a first program in the country that will help provide housing for student veterans in need on a community college campus. The project will have to confirm financing and receive approval from the board of trustees.

Stromberg said she was surprised to receive the award by the MMDC.

“I was just so touched,” she said. “I do things because they need to be done or because people need help. I’m a doer, and I get results.”

In the past year, Stromberg also graduated from Emerge California’s inaugural Southern California class, which trains women interested in running for office. But Stromberg said with so much work that needs to be done in the community she doesn’t have any plans at this point for higher office.

Ryu was honored as the elected official of the year at the event to celebrate the lawmaker’s first year in office. He is the first Korean-American and the second Asian-American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council. The MMDC honored Ryu for his advocacy for public safety, constituent services and legislation to increase college-bound enrollment through a city-sponsored children’s savings account program for Los Angeles.

MMCD honored NextGen Climate as organization of the year. It was founded by business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer to prevent climate disasters and promote prosperity. UNITE HERE Local 11 received the award for union of the year. The union represents 270,000 laborers across the U.S. and Canada, and its campaign aims to get organizations and individuals to book events at union hotels. The union has been fighting for a living wage of at least $15 per hour for all hotel workers.

For information on MMDC, visit miraclemiledemocrats.org.