“Do you want help?”
Pam Dutch Hughes has spoken these four words many times during her 18 years as a Signal Hill resident, she recounted in an interview with the Signal Tribune.
On June 8, the Signal Hill City Council recognized her years of service to the city by granting Hughes the 2021 Outstanding Older American Award.
The annual award coincides with Older Americans Month observed in May and Older Americans Recognition Day on May 25. Both stem from the federal Older Americans Act of 1965.
In a May 3 proclamation, President Joe Biden said this year’s Older Americans Month was especially important given the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic among senior citizens, representing 80% of all those who died.
“During Older Americans Month, we honor these citizens and their continued contributions,” Biden proclaimed. “We commit to learning from them, and we pledge to support their futures.”
In a video marking Older Americans Recognition Day in Los Angeles—which highlighted the 2021 Outstanding Older American awardees, including Hughes—Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced a new Department of Aging and Disabilities to help seniors access housing, support services and healthcare.
In conferring the award to Hughes last week, Signal Hill Mayor Edward Wilson said many older adults are actively involved in volunteering, mentoring, cultural activities and civic engagement, and pass on their knowledge to subsequent generations.
He recognized Hughes’s long-time involvement as a community volunteer, noting that she currently serves as vice chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. She is also a member of the city’s Sustainable Cities Committee, active with the nonprofit Friends of the Signal Hill Library and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member.
“Pam is always seeking ways to better her community, and is the first to lend a hand when called upon,” Wilson said.
Members of the council congratulated Hughes for the award and thanked her for her dedicated service.
Councilmember Lori Woods said Hughes has been highly involved in many aspects of Signal Hill life since she moved to the 2.2 square-mile city 18 years ago.
“We’re so small, our volunteers really matter,” she said.
Councilmember Robert Copeland called Hughes a “busybody” in a positive way.
Wilson concurred that Hughes is very active in the community.
“When you need something done, give it to a busy person,” he observed. “20% of the people do 80% of the work.”
Hughes expressed appreciation for the award and the flowers from the City she received. She ultimately laid them on the grave of her husband Joe—a podiatrist, former Navy photographer and former special-effects designer for 20th Century Fox—who passed away in January.
“You’re the oldest woman I’ve ever been out with,” Joe told her on her 30th birthday and every year since, Hughes recounted.
Her interest in volunteering stems from a philanthropic sense and simply liking people, she said, noting she always wanted to be a twin.
“The worst thing for me is to be alone,” Hughes said. “I like a variety of people.”
Everyone just wants to be included, befriended and accepted for who they are, she said, adding that humans are social animals not meant to be alone.
Besides volunteering, Hughes’s journey includes a degree in photography and four grown sons, two of whom still live with her in Signal Hill.
“It’s wonderful when you can love where you live,” Hughes said. “This is a great city.”
