Candidate for
Mayor; City of Orange

TERESA "TITA" SMITH

Teresa "Tita" Smith was elected to the Orange City Council in 2004 and served as Mayor pro tem from January 2009 until February 14, 2012. Tita also served on the Orange Planning Commission from 1992 through 2004.

A seventh generation California native, Tita was born at St. Joseph's Hospital and is a lifelong resident of the City of Orange, which her family has called home for five generations. She has been married 44 years to Bill and has four children: Angela, Luke, Nathan and Patrick and five grandchildren.

Tita attended Holy Family School in Orange and Mater Dei High School where she graduated with honors in 1965. Tita was in the first freshman class of the University of California, Irvine where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science in 1970 and she earned a Masters Degree from USC in 1992.

Tita became involved in city government nearly three decades ago when she founded the Old Towne Preservation Assn. (OTPA) to prevent demolition of the historic neighborhood. Over the years, Tita has been recognized twice by OTPA, winning the Spirit of Old Towne Award in 2000 and Volunteer of the Year in 2006. She was appointed to the Orange Centennial Committee in 1988 and the East Orange Advisory Committee in 1990. She was nominated to serve on the Planning Commission in 1992 and was the chairperson for two years.

Tita's other community services include serving as the Founding President of the Pitcher Park Community Foundation, volunteering 33 years at the Orange International Street Fair, All American Street President, YWCA Advisory Board, Orange Public Library Community Liaison, Holiday Hope Committee, Orange Senior Center Board, and various non-profit fundraising endeavors throughout Orange. She was the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at Holy Family Cathedral from 1978-1992.

Tita was the 2009 winner of the Commerce Award from the Orange Chamber of Commerce and in 2011 won the William T. Glassell Award from the Orange Community Historical Society for her work in preserving Orange's history and neighborhoods.

Tita ran for City Council because her heart belongs to Orange. She is fully invested in Orange and committed to the success of our City and is an experienced community leader.