The Los Angeles Post

Barger Honors Pasadena’s R-lene Mijares de Lang as Fifth District Woman of the Year

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Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger honored R-lene Mijares de Lang, co-owner and executive officer of Pasadena’s iconic Mijares Mexican Restaurant, as Fifth District Woman of the Year at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“Each year in March, we celebrate and honor women’s achievements and leadership,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “R-lene is an outstanding role model who deserves to be recognized. She is a Latina business woman, community leader, and philanthropist. R-lene has dedicated her professional life to working and serving people in the Pasadena area. She continues to spearhead a restaurant that was opened more than 100 years ago by her grandmother Jesucita Mijares. R-Lene is someone who will continue to make a difference in Pasadena and the surrounding community for years to come.”

Supervisor Barger presented Ms. Mijares de Lang with a scroll during the recognition ceremony in the Board Hearing Room at the Hahn Hall of Administration.

Photos of today’s presentation are available here. A video of the presentation is available here.

“I appreciate this wonderful honor,” said R-lene Mijares de Lang. “I stand on the shoulders of powerful women who started our family restaurant, including my grandmother who is now in heaven, and my mother who is 92 years old and can still be found in our restaurant on Sundays. It takes family and a strong community to make way for strong women leaders. Leaders, in turn, have a responsibility to give back to their communities. I look forward to continuing to contribute to my community and helping the next generation of women leaders rise.”

Mijares Mexican Restaurant has the distinction of being the oldest Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles County, turning 104 years old this year. It is also the oldest Mexican restaurant in the City of Pasadena and is the oldest operating Mexican restaurant in the State of California. The restaurant was started in 1920 by Jesucita Mijares, R-lene’s grandmother.