On The Town:

Thanks to Soroptimist International of Glendale, the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women and e-mail, Paula Devine was able to quickly put together Friday evening’s event devoted to friendship and consciousness-raising.

After a delicious potluck dinner, about 20 women lounged on the Devine’s divans against big, stuffed pillows. Paula’s husband, Art Devine, pulled down the movie screen and slipped in a DVD. What may have appeared a light-hearted evening of eats, treats and DVDs was much more than that. The 20-minute DVD was titled “Look Beneath the Surface” and dealt with human trafficking.

Amelda Buncap, director of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking shelter for abused women, was present to comment and answer questions after the film. We learned, for instance, that every 10 minutes, a man, woman or child is trafficked into the United States for forced labor. Human trafficking has become a $9-billion-a-year global industry and is the third-largest international criminal enterprise after drugs and arms.

Also present for the eye-opening evening were shelter program coordinator Haidee Cuasim, Soroptomist International of Glendale President Margo Bottcher, Soroptomist members Susan Hunt, Mary Lauritsen, Denise Michele, Lynne Raggio, Janet Hamilton, Kate Bernier, Michelle Lathe, Sharon Brady and guests Sue Arellano and Pam Gibson, Bottcher’s sister visiting from Sebastopol.

At the end of the evening, Bottcher suggested a visit to www.sorotimist.org to learn how to make a donation to support the Sorotimists STOP Trafficking project.

The Glendale branch of the American Assn. of University Women celebrated its 85th year Founders Day and honored 18 past presidents Saturday at the Oakmont Country Club. The luncheon and meeting were attended by about 70 members and guests.

A pre-luncheon opportunity drawing with dinners donated by the likes of P.F. Chang’s, Damon’s and Islands was matched by huge baskets of gourmet delicacies donated by Trader Joe’s, Vons and cosmetics donated by Merle Norman.

Co-president Neda Fabris introduced the 18 past presidents present. Taking their bows were Joan Benson, Linda Blackwell, Joyce Covey, Norma Cunanan, Hanna Cline, Barbara Curl, Pat Donlin, Evelyn Florio, Donna Franklin, Phyllis Fernandez, Gerry Johnstone, Susan Hunt, Mary Pallares, Anna Rundle, Elaine Smith, Clari Wilson, Pat Wilson and Sunny Wheeler.