In mid historical briefing, Mr. Schwartz captured my sentiments with an allusion to a story of a young female entrepreneur who found the glass ceiling to be a little lower in the post WWII era. Mary Pajak, familiar to some as owning Mary's Color Bar paint supply store for 35 years, had originally found it difficult to ensure a loan from then-local banker George Post (as in the affluent street in downtown Torrance). The loan was not approved for the mere fact that she was a woman. In walks magnanimous soul and long time merchant Sam Levy to proctor the loan approval by vouching for Ms. Pajak's credibility, ultimately allowing her to open her store and add color to Torrance. "Sam never turned anyone away who had a genuine need...including sitting as the original finance chair for the building of Little Company of Mary Hospital," Schwartz added. Alan's mother, Mrs. Ella Schwartz, was no less of a community contributor and leader. Alan concedes, "My mom was the type of lady who didn't call a spade a spade, she called it an expletive shovel." This type of brash truism gave alliteration to the welcomed genuine nature that the community needed in a period of growth. Ella Schwartz, classically trained pianist, visionary and land opportunist had holdings all across greater Torrance. She recognized a need for development away from a Western Pittsburgh and added a solemn credibility to bringing in the American Honda Plant where US Steel once stood. Further, she gave blessings to the redevelopment of Downtown Torrance while continuing to be a successful merchant in the Levy Department Store. Ella was also an avid contributor to the charitable nature of the family and thankfully passed the torch to her son Alan. |
Ella Schwartz passed away last year. Alan M. Schwartz is the fulfillment of three generations of instrumental players in a long line of Torrance Supporters, developers and contributors in a very important family. His bio reads like a who's who and I would only lend him a disservice by offering a brief synopsis of his accomplishments. But let me just say this attorney, Member of the Board of Directors for the World Trade Association, Advisor to former Congresswoman Jane Harman and to State Senator Debra Bowen, recipient of the Businessman of the Year Award, past President of the Downtown Torrance Association and, following in his families footsteps, Trustee of the Little Company of Mary Hospital, has been a [vital] member of the continued growth and redevelopment of Torrance. Further, and in encapsulating his esteemed accomplishments, Schwartz is fundamental in the retention efforts of the LA Air Force Base and the continued economic development in the South Bay. This gentleman, having spent time under the wing of media Goliath, Michael Ovitz, chose to leave the glitz of a one-time-aspiring career in the entertainment industry to return to his roots and continue the development programs set forth by his parents and parents before them. Why someone could pass up the financial gain and glamour of Los Angeles' notoriety for a greater purpose leads me to the obvious. Political aspirations? Dare I not start a conspiracy. The Schwartz/Levy family has clearly been an influential if not an essential force in the establishment of what we regard as our fair city, Torrance. To forgo honoring the family for their many contributions on this anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Torrance would be a travesty of immense proportion. |