Joyce Rudolph
BURBANK -- A salute to women for all they do in the home, the work
place and as volunteers was the theme when the YWCA presented its fourth
annual Legacy Luncheon Wednesday at Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank.
Four women and one youth were recognized as being "Women of Heart and
Excellence," during the luncheon that grossed $37,000 for Glendale YWCA
programs.
Honored were Julie Burroughs Shermer and Lois Frederick of Glendale;
Lorelei Kelley and Sue Boegh of Burbank; and youth honoree Jessie Ortiz
of Glendale.
"These women exemplify the all-American woman," said Dianne Endsley,
president of the YWCA's board of directors, in welcoming the 220 guests.
Lynne Raggio, mistress of ceremonies, echoed her sentiment.
"You've touched so many lives," she said. "You will long be
remembered."
Shermer created a Careers-In-Transition Committee in 1991 to help
women reentering the job force, worked on the 100th anniversary of
Glendale High School and is Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission president
Frederick, a retired speech and language pathologist, has been a
leader for many organizations, including the Glendale Branch of the
American Assn. of University Women and Women's Committee of the Glendale
Symphony Orchestra Assn.
Kelley, a local journalist and business owner, has also held
leadership positions in many community organizations, including La
Providencia Guild of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Boegh has worked with the Burbank Unified School District in securing
grant money for programs to help students prepare for meaningful careers.
She serves on the board of the Burbank Boys and Girls Club.
Ortiz, a graduate of Clark Magnet High School, has served on the
Glendale Youth Voice, Glendale Youth Coalition, Special Olympics and Key
Club.
Kelley was ill and couldn't attend, but her husband, Bob, accepted her
award. Ortiz is away at school at UC San Diego, so her mother, Elysa
Rosenfeld-Ortiz, received the honor.
Proceeds from the $75-per-person luncheon will support The Domestic
Violence Project offering services for battered women and children,
Encore Plus breast and cervical cancer early detection program and
Griffith Manor Child Development Center. Funds will also go to the Sports
and Fitness program, now managed by the YMCA.
The event was special this year because the YWCA is celebrating 75
years in the community. Its programs are available to women in Glendale,
Burbank, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge, Sunland and Tujunga and
other surrounding communities.
The co-chairwoman was Susan Hunt and honorary co-chairmen were former
Congressman Carlos Moorhead and his wife, Valery.
The keynote speaker was Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, L.A. County
supervisor of the second district.
Burke emphasized the importance of the YWCA's continued efforts to
educate the community about violence against women and child abuse. She
pointed to those suspected of leading the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and
the demeaning treatment of the women in Afghanistan.
All women should be recognized for the important contributions they
make, she said, and that message needs to be spread across the world.
