Idyllwild’s Reba Coulter Honored as Woman of the Year
The Idyllwild community is celebrating one of its own this week as Reba Coulter has been named Woman of the Year for Riverside County’s Fourth Supervisorial District. Recognized for her dedication to helping local seniors and residents in need, Coulter’s work—particularly through the Idyllwild Shuttle Service—has made a lasting impact on the town. Below is the official press release detailing her well-deserved recognition.
IDYLLWILD – Reba Coulter, who founded the Idyllwild Shuttle Service, was honored as Woman of the Year in the Fourth Supervisorial District by Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
The recognition took place in Riverside as part of Riverside County’s commemoration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month on Tuesday.
Supervisor Perez recalled meeting Reba Coulter after becoming the Supervisor for the Idyllwild area and discussing the Idyllwild Shuttle Service, which provides free transportation from the mountain to the Coachella Valley and Hemet for doctor’s appointments and other needed trips.
“I am very proud and honored to have Reba here, with us, because of who she is,” said Supervisor Perez. “I remember when I first met her, and she talked specifically for our seniors and the fact that they needed transportation. I know she is going to continue to do great work, and she is our 2025 Woman of the Year for the Fourth District!”
Reba Coulter has lived in Idyllwild for the past 22 years, where she has made a difference for seniors and other residents of the mountain communities. Originally from West Virginia, she is the big sister of a big family, one that includes a combined 13 teachers on both sides.
“I think that’s part of the reason she’s so giving,” adds Supervisor Perez.
Coulter moved to California, living in Orange County for 40 years, which included working in local government. She returned to college, earning her degree in business administration and also a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Soon after retiring to the community of Idyllwild in 2003, where she had lived part-time since 1989, Coulter became very involved.
“I love Idyllwild, I love living there, and I became involved with everything up there because it was my way of working into the community,” said Reba Coulter. “I knew I would never feel at home if I didn’t learn the community. So that’s gradually, over the last 22 years, I feel very much involved in now. Thank you very much. I appreciate this, it’s totally a surprise.”
Ten years ago, seeing the need for elderly, disabled, and low-income residents to get off the mountain for various needs, she began the Idyllwild Shuttle Service. She got it started with an old shuttle bus that was donated from the Chamber of Commerce. Coulter announced they are getting a brand new van soon.
“We have kept it as a free service. Our grant focuses on elderly, disabled, and low-income. We don’t ask anybody’s level of income. If there is a seat available, they are welcome to ride,” stated Coulter.
Reba Coulter is also actively involved in the community as a member of the Radio Club of Idyllwild, the Rotary Club of Idyllwild, Idy Elders and Others, and the Idyllwild Garden Club. She has been a volunteer bookkeeper for the American Legion Post 800, and treasurer for the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, the Friends of San Jacinto Mountain County Parks, and Forest Folk, Inc.
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the Fourth Supervisorial District on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. The largest district in the county by geography, the 4th District covers eastern Riverside County, from Whitewater, stretching across the entire Coachella Valley, south to the Salton Sea, up Highway 74 to Idyllwild and the mountain communities, and heading east of the Coachella Valley to Blythe and the Colorado River.
Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
