Soroptimist International of Los Angeles
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS
December 2014/January 2015                                                                    Vol. 6, Issue 4

Don't forget! 
Next Business Meeting:
        Wed. Jan. 7 at 6-8pm

             at Taix French Restaurant

 

President JoyceDear <<First Name>>,

The spirit of the holidays makes us realize how blessed we are to belong to an International Organization that follows a pledge for all women and girls in the world.
 
The Soroptimist Pledge provides a special spirit: THE SINCERITY OF FRIENDSHIP: how blessed we are for the wonderful friendship in SILA. THE JOY OF ACHIEVEMENT: what joy we have at each activity we do - like at our special Christmas Event with the mothers and their children at 1736. THE DIGNITY OF SERVICE: we truly serve with dignity. THE INTEGRITY OF PROFESSION:  each SILA Member puts forth their background experiences to provide the best organization. THE LOVE OF COUNTRY: we live in the best country, America, which provides us the greatest opportunity to serve women and girls in the world.
     
Now think about the last sentence of the Soroptimist Pledge: I WILL PUT FORTH MY GREATEST EFFORT, each SILA Member follows these words, TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THESE IDEALS FOR A LARGER FELLOWSHIP, IN HOME, IN SOCIETY, IN BUSINESS, FOR COUNTRY AND GOD.
 
Remember to take care of yourself and have a wonderful Holiday!

President Joyce
 
IN THIS ISSSUE:

- Meet Our New Member: Lessie Caballero
- Inspiring and Fun: Christmas at 1736
- Girl Scouts Re-Branding
- Program Meeting Spotlights Members

QUICK LINKS:
SILA's Website
Camino Real Region
Federation (SIA)
International (SI)

 
2014-15 BOARD:
President: Joyce Jacob
1st VP: Carole Oglesby
2nd VP: Daphyne Howell
Secretary: Bev Johnson
Treasurer: Teresa Harvey
Director 2014-16: Barbara Jury
Director 2013-15: Julie Mairs



CONTACT INFORMATION:
For more information about SILA or this Newsletter, please contact:

President Joyce Jacob at joycejacob@aol.com or 626-222-9316

Editor Janet Elliott at jvelliott88@gmail.com or 310-809-2438

Webmistress Ann Read at annr@earthlink.net or 626-919-9202

 
 
MEET OUR NEW MEMBER: LESSIE CABALLERO

Lessie CaballeroOur new member, Lessie Caballero, is almost a Los Angeles native. Moving from Texas when she was two years old, she graduated from Fremont High School in Los Angeles.
 
Her life-changing opportunity came when she was nominated to go to Yale University in Connecticut for a “transitional year” program. Although she was terribly homesick being out of state for the first time, it was enough to motivate her to graduate from Pitzer College in Claremont as an English major, then to get a teacher’s credential and Masters in Education from Claremont Graduate School, complete two more master degree programs in Educational Leadership and as a Reading Specialist, and earn a PhD in Education Leadership from UCLA.
 
Over a long career, she taught middle school and high school in Pomona, Laverne, and Los Angeles. She retired five years ago from LAUSD  as a Middle School Director supervising middle school principals in the South Bay.
 
Her family includes four sisters and one brother, one son and one 9 year old granddaughter living in Alabama. She lost her husband 10 years ago and her 98 year old mother earlier this year.
 
As a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Lessie is a sorority sister of SILA members Sheila Tatum, Jeri Durham, Jessica Washington, and Ginger Cole – what a great source of Soroptimists! Her hobbies include reading, gardening, sewing for her granddaughter and traveling. She just returned from a 15-day cruise that started in Italy and ended in Spain with Sheila, Jeri and one of Lessie’s sisters.
 
Lessie is anxious to get involved in Soroptimist activities. Welcome, Lessie, to SILA!
INSPIRING AND FUN: CHRISTMAS AT 1736

The spirit of giving was demonstrated by our annual special day with the families and employees at 1736 Family Crisis Center on Saturday, December 20. Imagine being able to help 11 families with 14 children at a very special time of year!
 
Christmas at 1736These women made a hard decision to take their families to a safer environment and this time of year makes that even more difficult. You can tell in the faces of the children how difficult it is to be in a new environment, but there was absolute joy when they were able to pick presents for their mother.
 
Thanks to Daphyne Howell's coordination and Jeri Durham's shopping, the mothers received gifts to fill a large gift bag. Each one had clothing by size and color they liked. Lessie, Emily, Barbara, Pam, Sheila, Diane, Jessica, Teresa, Daphyne, Joyce, Carole, and Amy were Santa's helpers by guiding the children to wrap their chosen presents for their mother.
 
A true highlight of the event is their individual family picture by the Christmas tree. The genius of Jeri's picture taking got it done, regardless of the children’s age or patience!
 
It was a great day for them and all SILA members who participated. 1736 Board Member Ron Troop was able to come by and we appreciate all the support from the employees.
 
Our reward to ourselves was to go to El Cholo for a fun lunch and gift exchange. Thank you, Carole Oglesby for making the arrangements.
GIRL SCOUTS RE-BRANDING

Girl Scouts LogoMembers enjoyed another outstanding program meeting at their regular meeting on Wednesday, November 19.
 
Wendy Chaidez, a membership chairperson for Girl Scouts of Los Angeles, shared with us the “extensive re-branding” ongoing with Girl Scouts.
 
The organization, which is as historic as Soroptimist, decided it needed to become recognized for much more than “cookie sales and campfires.” This decision was followed by extensive research; logo, key word and image changes; and the launch of new programs.
 
Our SILA members were encouraged to relate Girl Scouts’ work to our own re-branding efforts.
PROGRAM MEETING SPOTLIGHTS MEMBERS

In December, SILA was able to keep the "string of hits" going for the programs presented to members.

 At selected points through the year, instead of our program meeting featuring an invited outside expert, we will hear stories and learn about the work of our own in what we are calling "Member Spotlight".

At the program meeting on December 3, we were enthralled by tales from our own film maker Emily Dell and two new members Amy Poulos and Lessie Caballero.

Fabulous women all!
Happy New Year!