Women

In a matter of three hours, a hardy band of American Assn. of University Women members raised more than $800 during its 88th Founder's Day Celebration on Saturday at a luncheon at the Oakmont Country Club. Sixty-six generous women bought opportunity tickets for some 25 baskets overflowing with goodies and gift certificates. One of the favorite baskets was "Movies and Mojitos. " That was won by former Glendale Mayor Eileen Givens , honored in a "Salute to the Past Presidents.

Several local women are among 30 who will be honored during the 13th annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards luncheon on Friday at the Pasadena Hilton. The women were selected by State Sen. Carol Liu (D-La Cañada-Flintridge) and Assembly members Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), and Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) for their contributions to the vitality and diversity of the 21st State Senate and 43rd and 44th Assembly districts. Those being honored are Outstanding Small Businesswoman, Emma Garabetian, Modella Uniforms, Pasadena/La Crescenta; Outstanding Junior Businesswoman Linda P. Lee, Charles Dunn Co., Glendale; Outstanding Non-Profit Employee, Ana Gomez, Kids Community Dental Clinic, Burbank; and Ramella Markarian, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale; Environment/Energy Efficiency Award, Hilda Morovati Pirim, EmbroidMe, Glendale; Most Inspirational Award, Carolyn Rowley, Cayenne Wellness Center, Glendale; Woman in Law, Lt. Lola Abrahamian, Glendale Police Department; Women in Science and Technology, Linh Chen, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and Cheryl Lee Jung, Glendale Adventist Medical Center; Woman in Arts Entertainment, Taline Bessos, Taline Music, Glendale.

Sandra Schultz is active in improving the lives of disadvantaged women at home and around the world. For 23 years, she has staked a presence in the Glendale chapter of Soroptimist International, a worldwide volunteer organization composed of 95,000 professional women helping the lives of disadvantaged women in 120 countries and territories, she said. Her involvement is both local and international, including activity in local fundraisers such as “Bras for a Cause,” and trips to China and Rwanda to help women develop practical skill sets.

State legislators honored six local women during a luncheon Friday for contributing to the business community and serving as role models. “Women make up a key part in the success of our economics and our recovery,” said keynote speaker Lisa Stevens of Wells Fargo Bank, adding that “women get better with age” because they are better at realizing perspective and learning from past experiences. Sen. Carol Liu and Assembly members Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake) and Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge)

BURBANK — State legislators, city officials and members of the local residential and business community filled a banquet hall at the Castaway Restaurant on Thursday for the seventh annual "Women in Business" award luncheon, which recognized 21 area business women, including seven from Glendale and Burbank. More than 400 attendees joined state Sen. Jack Scott, Assemblyman Dario Frommer and Assemblywoman Carol Liu, who selected the winners from a pool of nominees who either live or work within their congressional districts.

CITY HALL — The Commission on the Status of Women presented its strategic plan Monday during its monthly meeting that outlines the group’s goals for the next five years, but the final, revised plan won’t be approved until January. The revisions to the draft include adding the commission’s Women At the Table event as part of its annual and signature programs, such as Camp Rosie, Money Matters and Ready, Set Vote, commission member Elizabeth Manasserian said.

A group of Glendale women got a lesson in close-range fighting on Wednesday to help them defend themselves against sexual attacks. The lesson at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center was one of three free, city-sponsored self-defense classes offered to women and girls during the month-long Sexual Assault Awareness campaign sponsored by the city's Commission on the Status of Women. PHOTOS: Nelson Nio teaches a self-defense class in Glendale The next classes, which are taught by SHIELD Self-Defense, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on April 10 at Glendale Community College, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, and from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on April 17 at the Glendale Police Department, 131 N. Isabel St. The commission and YWCA of Glendale's "Walk A Mile in Her Shoes" will not be held this year.

Founded in 1946 and growing strong with 89 members, the Women's Civic League continues to make its presence felt in Glendale. Thursday's luncheon meeting at the Elks Lodge was no exception. Speaker Sheriff Lee Baca started the league's new year with a bang. And President Lynda Burns couldn't have been more pleased. Baca more than held his own in front of his knowledgeable audience. But with a USC doctorate in public administration, this top cop knows his business. He also flew all night from Israel to make sure he didn't miss this speaking engagement.

Going into the exhibition titled “Women Painters West” at the Burbank Creative Arts Center Gallery, one might expect a feminine version of westward expansion art like that of Charles Marion Russell or Frederic Remington. But the eclectic presentation of abstract, traditional, and assemblage art is surprising, and quite good. Originally known as the Women's Art Club of Southern California, Women Painters West has educational, fraternal, and charitable objectives through the encouragement of artistic expression.

The YWCA of Glendale is having its 14th annual Legacy Luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at The Castaway Restaurant in Burbank. This year’s luncheon will honor five women with the Heart & Excellence Awards and two high school seniors with the Jane O’Connor Community Service Volunteer Award. The guest Speaker is Christina Avaness, author of “Living Beyond Organic.” Mistress of ceremonies is Michaela Pereira of KTLA’s Morning Show. Five women will receive the Heart and Excellence Award.