I was born and raised in Monrovia. I’m from the class of 1972, and we are celebrating our 50th Class Reunion. I belong to several nonprofit organizations in Monrovia. I serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Monrovia; Chairperson of the following: Interfaith Council of Monrovia; Black History Month for Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association; and Monrovia Changemakers Sub Committee for Past and Present Changemakers. In November 2021 I held a successful membership drive for the NAACP Pasadena Branch. I serve as Vice Chair of Community Media of the Foothills (KGEM), as well as produce two TV shows on KGEM. This year, I was recognized as the Older Person of the Year. I host a fundraiser for Pulmonary Hypertension since 2017. This is the disease that my sister, Joannie Yuille, passed away from in 2017. With all of the organizations I serve on, I am most proud the fact that my parents gave and showed us how to serve others and be a part of a community. I enjoy creating greeting cards and making playlists on Spotify. I also love entertaining and cooking.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family was very active in the community, as well as in the schools. My parents taught us how to be of service to others.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’m a retired kindergarten teacher. I taught at Foothill Preschool. I started a financial coaching business in 2009. What I love most about what I do in my business is educating families about creating generational wealth.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I really like to cook myself, but I love supporting small business. My top two restaurants are Baja Mar and La Adelita
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born and raised in Monrovia
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
My dear friend, the late Mr. Steve Baker.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would go Africa. I’m not sure which country because there are so many to choose from. I’d love to see the places that I taught my students. Probably mostly I’d love to be surrounded by those who look like me!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Not really a movie person. My favorite TV shows are Living Single, Andy Griffin, Hallmark and Cold Cases
Q: What advice would you give to people?
My advice to people is the following: we all need each other, whether you like it or not. Treat others as you want to be treated. This is a statement from a prayer I say everyday – “Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in peace and harmony. O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Wow, I don’t really have a bucket list personally! My bucket list is not about me – it’s more for the world. I’d wish for the unity of humanity. I say this because I struggle with how others think they are better than other people that don’t look like them.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I like old school music – Motown
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Plunge/Monrovia Museum
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Police Chief, Alan Sanvictores, because we laugh a lot when we see each other, plus we said “let’s have lunch”. The place I would go to is Baja Mar or La Adelita.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
I like the small community vibe. I believe we have a closeness and we try to work together in our community.
Q: What is your greatest regret?
My greatest regret is when my daddy tried to get me to buy a house in Monrovia when I was in my 20s and I didn’t do it!
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t really know because I’m kind of an open book
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Haifa, Israel. I was on my Baha’i pilgrimage with my family in 2001. We visited The Shrine of the Bab and The Shrine of Baha’u’llah. The gardens were absolutely beautiful.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Teaching kindergarten and having some of my students ask me to be at their high school graduation.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My faith in God
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I get my inspiration from the teaching of the Baha’i Faith, as well as my friends.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My favorite smells are food cooking and essential oils burning
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Relaxing, Comfort and Welcoming
