At each Human Rights Awards celebration, the President of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club selects an individual to receive the President’s Special Recognition Award. This year, Lambda President Robert Hildebrand has selected Assembly member Betty Karnette.
“She has consistently kept an open door policy for our community and supported us consistently,” says Hildebrand.
Karnette and her husband Richard have lived in Long Beach since 1952 and are long time Wrigley homeowners. Working as a secretary and office manager for the oil industry on Terminal Island, she completed her B.A. degree at California State University, Long Beach while working full-time. She became a teacher and later earned her Master’s degree from Long Beach State.
She attributes much of her effectiveness as a legislator to her experience as a school teacher with an emphasis in middle school mathematics. There she developed a clear, concise manner in fighting for issues she cares about. An active and caring neighbor, she is a member of the board of directors of the Long Beach Memorial Hospital Children’s Clinic and is also an Associate Board Member of Sage House in San Pedro, which operates adult day care programs.
After teaching school for 31 years, she decided to run for public office for the first time in 1992. She recognized that there was a large LGBT community in her district and reached out early in her political career: “I strongly believe that a rising tide lifts all boats and that society should recognize and appreciate the irreplaceable contributions that Lesbian and Gay citizens bring to the collective table, “ she says. “I am especially proud to have supported the efforts Assembly members Goldberg, Kehoe and Leno to achieve equality and fair treatment for domestic partners and other constituents of the LGBT community.”
The Long Beach Lambda Human Rights Awards Banquet takes place Sunday, January 27th in the Queen’s Salon aboard the historic Queen Mary. Cocktails at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:00.