Mary Ann Hamamura-Clark

Mary Ann received her BA from UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare, Class of 1968. This time in history was pivotal in the formation of her career going forward. It instilled a desire to serve the public and provided inspiration for positive change. Those values which made such an indelible impression in 1968, hold true today. UC Berkeley continues to play a critical role in shaping awareness of social issues and elevating debate on matters of class mobility and human rights.

Mary Ann is committed to raising awareness of the School of Social Welfare as the nation’s premier institution for the study of Social Work and the impacts of poverty. Her philanthropy supports social welfare education, adult learning and encouragement of students who are the first in their family to attend a university. Now retired, she served 33 years in municipal government concentrating on affordable housing issues and worker rights. Mary Ann worked in various cities, including Los Angeles, Torrance, Norwalk and lastly, as the Deputy Director of the Community Development Department for the City of Garden Grove, California. Her volunteer work included Soroptimist International of Garden Grove which worked towards the betterment of women and girls, Norwalk City Employees Association (Local Lodge IAM 1957).

She currently teaches a retirement course in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSU, Fullerton. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband William and their two rescue pups Bonnie and Clyde.