April 8, 2008

The First Lady of Campbell Jeanette Watson honored

State Senator Joe Simitian [D-Palo Alto] recently named Jeanette Watson the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year for her leadership in civic improvement and historic preservation.

“Picking out a woman of the year with 450,000 in the district was difficult but Jeannette Watson gave an extra breadth and longevity to every corner of Campbell,” said Senator Joe Simitian with her after the formal ceremony on the floor of the State Senate.

“Jeanette has made a deep and lasting contribution to the well-being of Campbell,” said Simitian. “Ultimately, a community is a reflection of the people who call it home. Campbell is a better place because of Jeanette Watson.”

Watson was the founding chair of Campbell’s Civic Improvement Commission in 1972 and established its Senior Coordinating Committee. In 1976, she founded the Campbell Historical Museum as a bicentennial project for third-grade students to experience living in the past, then served as its curator and president. She also launched the effort to remodel a former school auditorium into the Heritage Theater. She also led the move and restoration of the city’s historic Ainsley House.

Among her other leadership roles in the community have been serving as past president of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Campbell Citizens for Beautification, which won two national awards for community beautification and clean-up.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, not just for myself but for Campbell,” said Watson. “It’s wonderful to have one’s contribution to the community honored in this way.”

In addition to her many civic activities, Watson authored the city’s history in a book titled “Campbell, the Orchard City,” sales of which provide income to the Historical Museum. She also composed the city’s song, “Orchard Valley Green” about a grassy square in downtown Campbell.

So dedicated was Watson to Campbell that after she wrote the song, she even sang it on her answering machine, said Simitian, who has known Watson since the 1980s.

Watson also holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the Campbell City Council where she served five terms as mayor, vice mayor and councilmember. She retired in December 2006.

Watson was honored in a formal ceremony on the floor of the State Senate on March 10.