27th Annual
27th Annual Heart & Excellence Awards Persimmon Donor Circle Luncheon Anoush Glenoaks Ballroom L.A. Banquets 1320 West Glenoaks Boulevard Glendale, CA 91201
https://tinyurl.com/4dccevh3
A Message from Jessica First
Immediate Past President YWCA Glendale and Pasadena Board of Directors
Dear Friends and Honored Guests ,
Congratulations to our YWCA Heart and Excellence honorees this year!
Our board members, and community partners are such an important part of keeping the YWCA GP connected to the communities in which we live, and work. We are so grateful for your support! Thank you for your service, leadership, and meaningful contributions! As a past recipient of this award, I am honored to be part of this growing list of stellar individuals. As we reflect on the achievements of our honorees, let us also acknowledge the collective effort and collaboration that underpins our success. It's through our shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that we are able to affect positive change and create a more just society. Each person recognized today embodies the spirit of empathy and determination, driving us forward in our mission to empower women and eradicate racism. Together, we stand as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of unity in the face of adversity. Thank you to everyone here today. Your presence and partnership mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our cause. With your continued support, we can continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Thank you for standing with us on this journey.
With gratitude,
Jessica First
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A Message from Lori Klein
Interim Chief Executive Officer YWCA Glendale and Pasadena
Dear Friends, As interim CEO, I extend a warm welcome to our 27th Annual Heart & Excellence Awards and Persimmon Donor Circle Luncheon attendees. Today signifies a pivotal moment as we gather to honor these remarkable recipients and celebrate the resilience of our community during this period of change. This gathering serves as a testament to the resilience of women, the power of philanthropy, and the enduring impact of the YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. Our Heart & Excellence honorees epitomize selfless dedication and an unwavering commitment to leadership and community service. Through our programs, we continue to empower women and girls, navigating through intersecting barriers with determination and innovation. As we traverse these changes, our focus remains resolute on nurturing inclusivity and ensuring equitable access for all. Together, we stand as a beacon of hope and progress, striving to create a world where every woman and girl can thrive. Our Persimmon Donor Circle supports the YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena's mission, symbolizing courage, compassion, and commitment to women’s and girls’ rights. We're grateful for the presence of both Heart & Excellence alumni and Persimmon Donor Circle members today, as your contributions have played a significant role in shaping our past and continue to shape our future. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, leaders, staff, and officials for their unwavering support during this transformative period. Your contributions enable us to navigate through change and continue serving our community with dedication and compassion.
Thank you for being part of this journey of metamorphosis and growth.
Warm regards,
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2023 - 2024 Board of Directors
Executive Committee Shushan Barsegyan Richard Bennett Anita Chan Jessica First Valerie Merritt
Board Members Erin Edwards | Amanda Faissal | Mane Khachatryan | Dalia V. Lomeli Manuel Magpapian | Taline Saad | Jess Skylar | Dr. Paula Stamp Wesley Walton | Arsine Yedigaryan Pasadena Fundraising Advisory Committee Bonnie James | Denise Jones | Deborah Kinley | Jennie Morales Lupe Perez | Dr. Paula Stamp
Heart & Excellence Event Production Team Jen Booth | Erin English | Jomie Liu | Celeste Meza
Cami's Courage Memorial Scholarship Coordinator Wendy Grove
Photographer Zaw Studios
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WELCOME Jessica First Immediate Past President, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena Board of Directors
Lori Klein Interim CEO, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena
SPECIAL GUEST Silva Harapetian Journalist, CEO Silva Media Group
CAMI'S COURAGE SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION 2024 RECIPIENT Jada Yang La Cañada High School
GROWTH FROM GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT Frida and Jeannette
HEART & EXCELLENCE AWARDS PRESENTATION Valerie Merritt Retired Attorney Grace Yuen Investment Banker
The Oakmont League of Glendale Philanthropic Women’s Organization
SHELTER ADVOCACY Maria Yllescas
CALL TO ACTION
GRATITUDE AND CLOSING REMARKS
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Thank you to our Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Rima & Donnell Cameron
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
T.C. Kim & Friends
Thank you to our Sponsors
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SPONSORS
Kathryn Van Houten, Attorney at Law
Margaret F. Leong
CAMI'S COURAGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR
Carol Ann & Alasdair Burton
WINE SPONSORS Dick and Carol Bennett
CENTERPIECE SPONSOR
Special Guest
Silva Harapetian Journalist, CEO Silva Media Group
Silva Harapetian is an accomplished journalist with a remarkable career spanning over two decades in the broadcasting industry. She is an Emmy nominated journalist, an award-winning producer, and an Amazon Best Selling Author. Silva has spent 22 years in front of the camera and behind the scenes for some of the nation's most prominent media outlets, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX affiliates covering global news events with a front row seat to many of the historic events of our generation. Born in Iran, Silva has experienced the devastating effects of war and escaped political and religious persecution, arriving in Los Angeles with with her family in 1988. She attended Hoover High School in Glendale.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, Silva landed an internship at KCBS where she discovered the power of stories and their ability to impact people, communities, and the world.
However, becoming a television journalist was almost impossible for a young woman for whom English was a 4th language. In an industry that lacked diversity and minority representation, many said that pursuing a career in broadcast journalism lacked common sense. Silva remained steadfast in her commitment to using her voice to amplify voices that were ignored, suppressed, and silenced. Her path to success was filled with years of rejection, limited opportunities, and heartbreaking setbacks, yet she persisted, continuously learning and honing her craft until a radio executive in Fresno finally took a chance on her. This pivotal moment — 25 years ago — marked the beginning of Silva's trailblazing career to becoming the first Armenian-Iranian-American television journalist in the United States' broadcast news industry. Her remarkable achievements are a testament to her indomitable spirit, unwavering perseverance, and unrelenting commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and impactful stories. Throughout her career, Silva has covered global news events and witnessed many of the historic events of our generation, including multiple presidential elections, 9/11, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and mass shootings such as Parkland and Orlando. She has also shared the stories of families devastated by natural disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, and the distraction of Harvey, Isaac, Maria, and Irma. Silva is also a successful entrepreneur and founder of The Silva Media Group Production Company, The Media Mastery Institute, The Epic Storytelling Academy, and The Silva Harapetian YouTube, Podcast, and Radio shows. Through her work, she is dedicated to empowering women and amplifying their voices.
In 2020, Silva won a Communicator Award for an online web series and a short film. In 2021, she won a Telly Award for her online political commentary about the war in Artsakh titled “What’s Going on In Armenia?”
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Cami's Courage Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Jada Yang La Cañada High School
Jada Yang is a senior at La Cañada High School. Living with Cerebral Palsy, Jada is an advocate and founded Mission for Mobility, a non-profit empowering disabled students, with chapters across the US and an online audience reaching over 30 countries. With her advocacy work, she represents the disabled community on her School District’s Governing Board, Los
Angeles County Student Council, and FEMA Youth Council. Jada is also part of La Cañada’s student government, mock trial team, speech and debate team, College and Career Student Leadership, and Assisteens service organization. After high school, Jada plans to study public health and disability studies at UC Berkeley, interested in learning how to combat stigmas against disability in healthcare policy.
https://missionformobility.com
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Honorees
Valerie Merritt
Outgoing YWCA Glendale Pasadena Board Member & Persimmon Donor Leadership Circle
Valerie Merritt is a member of the baby-boomer generation, giving her some advantages over later generations. On the other hand, women and those of color were often disadvantaged by stereotypes that cut off opportunities. She was fortunate enough to evade some of the stereotypes that limited classes one could take. In contrast to the daunting debts students incur these days, the California State scholarship program made grants that did not need to be repaid. While she and her future husband Bruce were in college, the Vietnam war was increasingly calling up men to serve there and no longer allowed deferrals for graduate school. Bruce got to go to law school because of a sudden appearance of openings at an Army Reserve unit in Riverside. That meant Bruce could join the Army reserves and still go to Harvard Law School. Valerie graduated from Oxy, including studies that qualified her to teach school, and went to Cambridge, MA to find a job and housing. Teaching jobs were limited for women because male Vietnam vets had priority. Temporary jobs gave Valerie lots of exposure to bias against women, but she did find a job as a secretary. After Bruce finished law school and both had some short time in London, they returned to Los Angeles for UCLA Law for Valerie and a job waiting for Bruce in LA. Attending UCLA came with gender biases, but the older female students helped ease the way and started ad hoc recruiting women attending various colleges to encourage them to apply. Once Valerie started work at a law firm, she encountered a mix or support for women and resistance to change from some male colleagues. Undeterred, she worked diligently, gaining knowledge, giving presentations, joining community organizations and also seeking changes to laws. Over time, Valerie lessened volunteer legal work and increased volunteer commitments to local organizations, especially those to benefit women and children. At a YWCA Pasadena luncheon, four active members from YWCA Glendale recognized how Valerie could satisfy their needs. Eager to join them and help, Valerie accepted Susan Hunt's invitation and joined the Board July 1, 2006. She has worked through times of challenge over the years and continues to be deeply motivated by her dedication to the mission and well-being of YWCA Glendale and Pasadena.
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Honoree
Persimmon Donor, Former YWCA Pasadena Board Member Grace Yuen
Grace Yuen is a public finance investment banker at Siebert Williams Shank and currently leads the firm’s coverage of clients in the West Region. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with numerous cities, counties, and states across the country on their borrowing needs. These financings have funded infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, utilities, and hospitals. Grace is originally from Hong Kong and moved to the United States to attend college in Chicago. Her experiences in college spurred an interest in getting involved, volunteering, and public service. She became a member of various student organizations and volunteered with Oxfam. After starting her career, she spent her free time training for her first marathon; then for her second marathon she decided to fundraise for the Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Ten years ago, she and her husband moved to Southern California and she joined her current firm, which is women and minority- owned. Working with great leaders, she learned the importance of mentorship. To help further the cause of empowering women, she soon joined the board of the YWCA in her new community. She has two children who are in middle school and elementary school. She enjoys exploring new places with her loved ones and traveling to visit family in Toronto and Hong Kong.
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Honoree
The Oakmont League
Women’s Civic Organization
Serving the community since 1939 the mission of the Oakmont League is “To cultivate close and lasting friendships among its members; to promote goodwill in the community through cooperation and service; and, from time to time, to aid and assist, financially and otherwise, worthy charitable and other philanthropic organizations or undertakings.” The hallmark of Oakmont League for over 85 years has been to serve others in our community while building friendships. We are blessed with a strong, kind, and generous group of ladies who are always willing to give. The Oakmont League has consistently supported many worthwhile organizations primarily focused on the needs of women and children in our community and providing student scholarships at the area High Schools and Glendale Community College.
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If you are a survivor of domestic violence who is experiencing homelessness or housing
issues, please call 1-888-999-7511 today.
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HEART & EXCELLENCE HONOREE ALUMNI
Ginger Bremberg – 1996 Ruth Hale Dale Kristien Lynne Raggio Genevieve Sultenfuss Valery Moorhead – 1998 Sue Stamper Sr. Lucille Dear, S.P. – 1999 Alice Petrossian Mary Alvord – 2000 Rabbi Carole L. Meyers
Cathy Keen Katherine Yamada Eleanor Largent Linda Stude
Susie & Richard Dell – 2006 Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund Capital Group Companies Glendale Community Foundation National Charity League, Inc., Glendale Soroptimist International of Glendale
Eileen Givens Diane Russell Sue Boegh – 2001
Wells Fargo Foothill Laurie Blieck – 2007 Rosa Frommer Debbie Hinckley Susan Hunt Armineh Khanbabian Donna Ziel Mary Boger – 2008 Marilyn Gunnell Carole Jouroyan Joan McCarthy Officer Sue Shine-Carter Ruth Charles – 2009 Janet Killian Kathleen Powers Sandy Schultz Mercy Velazquez
Lois Frederick Lorelei Kelley
Julia Burroughs Shermer Phyllis Campbell – 2002 Linda Malmquist Mary Alice O’Connor Georgia M. Abelmann – 2003 Sonia Bedrossian Peltekian Lina Harper Glady I. Kabateck Wanda Bistagne – 2004 Mary Lou Howard Dr. Frieda Jordan Louise Lewis Jean Maluccio Dr. Zuzka Eggena – 2005
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HEART & EXCELLENCE HONOREE ALUMNI
Andrea Farestveit – 2010 Sandra J. Moreno MaryAnn Plumley Maria Rochart Karen Whyte Silva Hameline – 2011 Lori Hartwell Ann Herrmann Elizabeth Manasserian Ellyn Semler Fran Buchanan – 2012 Paula Devine Anita Quinonez Gabrielian Paula Devine – 2012 Kathy Lefkovits Monica Sierra Toni Beck-Espinoza – 2013 Lena Bozoyan Jory Potts Mary Margaret Smith Joylene Wagner Roberta “Bobbi” Gangi – 2014
Lina Petrossian Nancy Stone Georgina Wu Carol Ann Burton – 2018
Marilyn Kay Butler Sona A. Tatiyants Agape Circle of the Western Diocese
of the Armenian Church Marisol Espinoza – 2019 Stela Fejtek Elissa Glickman Linda Offray Karen Swan Sue Wilder Hasmik Burushyan – 2020 Monica Campagna
Tamika Farr Phyllis Kim
Teresa Rivera Ani Torosyan Suzanne Weerts Supervisor Kathryn Barger – 2021 Alicia Procello Dr. Vivian Ekchian Rev. Cassie McCarty
Laura Guillory Seda Khojayan Gertrude Ness Sharon Townsend Yasmin Beers – 2015 Miryam Finkelberg Mary Lou Rhodes Lynne White-Shelby Joan Allan – 2016
Elen Asatryan Gabrielle Scott Marie Y. Lemelle Gloria Salas Carla Buigues - 2022 Shannon Currie Holmes Anahid Oshagan Georgette Green Emili Cruz-Sosa Rima Cameron - 2023 Jessica First Denise Houlemard Jones
Brooke Bentley Moore Kathryn Van Houten Jeannie Flint – 2017 Nancy Guillen Janet Hamilton Joan-Patricia “JP” O’Connor
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What we have accomplished over the last year...
Domestic Violence Services
2,145 Domestic Violence Survivors and Children served 4,058 Shelter bed nights provided 75,436 Meals provided to 102 women and children living in shelter 70% of Shelter Residents secured transitional housing Over $130,000 of financial assistance was provided to 289 households
Girls' Empowerment Programs
136 pre-teen girls were empowered though our Girls' Empowerment programs: Girls' Circle After School, TechGyrls, and Camp Rosie Summer Camp.
Community Engagement & Gender Equity
Over 7,000 individuals were reached through our racial and gender equity and domestic violence educational programs and campaigns.
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Congratulations to the 2024 honorees. The awards are well- deserved and we thank you for all your hard work. We are proud to support YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s Domestic Violence, Girls’ Empowerment, and Racial Justice programs with our sponsorship of this wonderful event.
Rima & Donnell Cameron
Become A Member Of Our Persimmon Donor Circle Today!
Become part of a community of engaged supporters with a shared vision of creating change and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Email erinenglish@ywcagp.org for details
Friends of T.C. Kim
Congratulations to my fellow 2024 Heart & Excellence Honorees Grace Yuen and The Oakmont League! These honorees embody YWCA’s principles in every way as awardees and loyal Persimmon Donor Circle members.
Valerie & Bruce Merritt
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YWCA Glendale and Pasadena is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. To learn more about our programs, visit: www.ywcagp.org
Stay Up To Date on the Latest Events, Campaigns, and Programs! Follow Us At:
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YWCA Glendale and Pasadena 735 E. Lexington Dr. Glendale, CA 91206 (818) 242-4155 info@ywcagp.org
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