Gloria Crane Gartz

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Gloria Crane Gartz, an Altadena native was daughter to A. F. Gartz, a plumbing magnate from Chicago and Kate Crane-Gartz, the daughter and heiress of Richard Teller Crane of Chicago, founder of Crane Plumbing.

Ms. Gartz purchased the Blinn House from the Blinn family in 1941, and donated the House to The Women’s City Club of Pasadena, which she helped found in 1945.

Ms. Gartz believed in the political, civic and social power of women. She supported the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood, and the Hungtington Library.  She assisted Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus by providing funding for the founding of Grey Gables  of Ojai (a Senior Living Home) in Ojai, California, which later led to Dr. Andrus founding the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). 

She proved herself to be a catalyst of community contributions in Southern California, in particular in the Pasadena community. She helped hundreds of other women to thrive and serve the Pasadena community. 

The Gloria Gartz Award is given annually to a woman who demonstrates “outstanding leadership and generosity as well as a commitment to celebrating diversity and empowering other women.”