Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) recentlyhonored successful businesswoman, teacher, and tireless education advocate Cecile Bendavid as the 40th Assembly District's "Woman of the Year."

"Cecile Bendavid's tireless commitment to higher education in Southern California is truly inspiring - if all she did was devote her time to teaching our youth, she would deserve this honor. However, when one considers all she does to promote higher education in California while also balancing her career as a successful businesswoman, her achievements are even more incredible," Assemblymember Levine said. "I cannot think of a person that gives so much of their time and energy to good causes. Cecile is the embodiment of what our Woman of the Year ceremony is all about - this is why she is the 40th Assembly District's Woman of the Year for 2008."

Bendavid is the president of Computer Resources Unlimited, Inc. a 26 year-old, full-service computer company, which provides computer sales, service, training, support, Internet access and web design and hosting. Its success is a result of doing business in a friendly, personal way.

The company recently merged with Computer Engineering Operations Inc. where Bendavid is now vice president of business development.

As an active member of the California Faculty Association,Bendavid is elected to the California Teacher's Association State Council, where she represents higher education. A good amount of her time is spent organizing and lobbying legislators for higher education support.

Bendavid is also elected to the National Education Association's Women's Caucus Steering Committee and represents the women in higher education on this national board. She has represented California higher education at NEA National Representative Assemblies.

Bendavidhas a master's degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge, where she teaches computer science and business. Her undergraduate degree is from California State University, Los Angeles.

She also teaches at Los Angeles Pierce College in the evening division. Cecile has been a business educator at Grant High School, Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles Mission College and Los Angeles Trade Tech College.

Bendavid is married to Meyer and has two children, Michael and Sue. She also has three grandchildren.

Each March, the California State Assembly commemorates Women's History Month through a ceremony in which each state legislator chooses an extraordinary woman in his or her district for special recognition.

Honorees participate in a ceremony, hosted by the Legislative Women's Caucus, on the Assembly Floor and spend the day with legislators.