Page 10 - CALIFORNIA WOMAN - WINTER EDITION 2022

She was transferred downtown and then to the Homicide Department. She was the first woman in
the Homicide Department. They did not welcome her. They had her get coffee for them and go
get food, but she always worked cases. She had to have patience to survive. She was there for
15½ years.

She worked on the Hillside Strangler case and the Sal Mineo murder. Mineo’s murder was a street
murder. At first they thought he could have been murdered because he was gay, but that was not
the case. On the same day the murderer raped a woman. Kathy was sent to charm the mom of
the raped woman so the daughter would cooperate. The murderer was just recently let out of
jail. When she worked at the jail, she heard that everyone was innocent. She, though, was work-
ing on a case to free a man that is innocent. If a wrongfully convicted person is released, that
person can sue the County for a wrongful conviction and win $100 per every day in jail.
{Sometime later she was able to get the wrongfully convicted man released. She was very proud
of the work she did on this case}. The news release for this program also gave additional infor-
mation about Kathy. Catherine “Kathy” Wills had quite a history of firsts. She was the first woman
detective in the Homicide Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She was a
stand in for Nina Foch in “The Ten Commandments” movie in Egypt. She began her spirit of volun-
teerism as a girl in Minnesota. Wills devoted her time and energy to her community. She was in-
volved in social issues, such as global poverty, homelessness, literacy and as an advocate for the
physically disabled. She is a mentor for at-risk youth. This woman is a recipient of many awards
including “Woman of the Year” for Adam Schiff's 29th Congressional District.

Sally McMahon, who is President of East Valley BPW, serves on the CFBPW Bill Screening Commit-
tee and is Sierra Mar’s Public Policy Chair. East Valley has not met this fall, but Sally and Marie
are involved in the planning for Sierra Mar’s Winter Conference. They also were in charge of Sier-
ra Mar’s June training.

Mavis Hansen, who is President of El Monte BPW, is Sierra Mar’s Secretary. El Monte has been
meeting this fall. They participated in the Credit Union’s fundraiser and helped host the school
districts’ candidates’ forum. El Monte member Denise Rubin is Sierra Mar’s Treasurer.

Lynn Wen, who is President of San Gabriel Valley BPW, is Sierra Mar President and CFBPW
Treasurer.

Linda Wilson. Parliamentarian
Sierra Mar District 2022-23