Assemblyman Das Williams escorts human rights activist from Santa Barbra, Dr. Victoria Riskin, during a special floor ceremony March 26 at the State Capitol honoring California’s “Women of the Year.” Courtesy photo.
SACRAMENTO — Dr. Victoria Riskin, a tireless human rights advocate both globally and locally was honored March 26 as one of California’s “Women of the Year,” the office of Assemblymember Das Williams reported in a media release.
Riskin, was among women from throughout the state honored by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus during a special floor ceremony in which she was escorted by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara).
Annually, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus encourages each Assemblymember to select one women who resides in his or her district or has made a significant impact on the district.
Assembly Member Williams selected Riskin for her work, which has laid the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change to bring greater justice and security to people around the world. Riskin is past president of the Writers Guild of America West, the union representing 8,500 screen and television writers. She was a writer and producer for television with credits that include The Last Best Year, The Member of the Wedding, My Antonia, A Town Torn Apart, and World War II: When Lions Roared.
Prior to becoming a screenwriter and producer of movies-for-television, Riskin had a private practice as a psychologist. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Humanities from the University of Southern California, a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Counseling also from USC. She is currently chair of the Board of Trustees for Antioch University in Santa Barbara, where Das Williams worked as an associate professor prior to his election to the Assembly in 2010.
Assemblymembers Das Williams, 35th, left to right, and Connie Conway, Republican Minority Leader; Woman of the Year honoree, Dr. Victoria Riskin; John A. Pérez, Speaker of the Assembly and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell. Courtesy photo.