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Soroptimist International of Los Angeles
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Apr/May 2017 Vol. 8, Issue 5
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 Wednesday, May 3, 6-8pm: SILA Program Meeting at Taix French Restaurant,
Dream It Be It Committee (all SILA Members) will be meeting to discuss our big event on May 20th with Girl Scouts of America.
Saturday, May 13, ~7am: Preparing breakfast at Downtown Women's Center
Saturday, May 20: Dream It Be It with Girl Scouts of America.
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 Dear <<First Name>>,
What a wonderful year 2017 has been thus far for SILA!
As you scroll down our newsletter, you will be amazed at all the work this group has accomplished. Look at our Awards Luncheon, honoring talented women who have pushed and will continue to push to make their lives, and lives of those in their communities, better. It was a grand affair!!!
We had a wonderful turnout of members participating in the Camino Real Region Spring Conference. I have to brag, we had participation every day of the conference. From the Friday workshops, to the Saturday meetings, to the Sunday Brunch, it was a very proud three days for SILA. One of our own members, Governor Ginger Cole, did an outstanding job on the conference. Those in attendance had a weekend filled with true sisterhood, education and, of course, just plain old fun!
We are gearing up to prepare and serve breakfast at the Downtown Women's Center on Saturday, May 13, the day before Mother's Day. This event is always rewarding. I encourage prospective new members to join us to see Soroptimists at work.
We have our Dream It Be It event coming up May 20th with the Girl Scouts of America. Be part of the planning at our regular meeting on May 3rd at Taix Restaurant.
We strive each and every day for the betterment of women and girls, and it truly shows in our events and activities. I am very proud to be a part of such a dedicated group of women.
President Daphyne
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Awards Luncheon a Success!
- Community Hero
- Graduate Fellowship Recipients
- Live Your Dream Award Winner
- First 5 LA
- Spring Conference
QUICK LINKS:
SILA's Website
Camino Real Region
Federation (SIA)
International (SI)
2016-17 BOARD:
President: Daphyne Howell
1st VP: Joyce Jacob
2nd VP: Amy Poulos
Secretary: Lessie Caballero
Treasurer: Jeri Durham
Director 2016-18: Jessica Washington
Director 2015-17: Diane Vernon
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For more information about SILA or this Newsletter, please contact:
President Daphyne Howell at daphynehowell@hotmail.com or 323-401-7774
Editor Janet Elliott at jvelliott88@gmail.com or 310-809-2438
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AWARDS LUNCHEON A SUCCESS
 The annual Awards Luncheon held this year on Friday, March 24th, at California Club in downtown LA, was a success!
 Numerous compliments were received on the silent auction items, music, food, flowers, and especially the outstanding winners. (See below for more on each of them.) They were the stars of the day!
Members were delighted that several guests expressed interest in joining SILA. The consensus was that the California Club was an elegant, convenient location to hold this event again in the future.
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COMMUNITY HERO
 Dr. Margaret Peterson, President of Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center, was honored as SILA’s Community Hero. She truly fit SILA’s requirements: 1) an exceptional person; 2) a role model for women and girls; and 3) a leader in her field.
The Medical Center had additional standards: 1) a results-oriented leader; 2) a seasoned professional who understands through direct experience the important role that a safety net hospital plays in the health and well-being of the community it serves; and 3) a mission-driven and hands-on community leader
Dr. Peterson became President of the Medical Center exactly three years ago. The Medical Center is a 318-bed acute care hospital located in Downtown Los Angeles and is the busiest private trauma center in LA County.
She clearly deserved to be honored as our Community Leader.
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GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
The SILA graduate Fellowship Award has been awarded annually for the last 68 years by SILA to a young woman who is in financial need, participating in a graduate program in Southern California, and focused on using her education to improve her community. Due to the generous donation of a SILA member, SILA was able to award two $3,500 Fellowship Awards this year.
 One award was named in honor of Joyce Jacob, a retired nurse and a 20-year member of SILA who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the club. Joyce has served as president, vice president, program chair, and on nearly every committee, always bringing the same sense of commitment and dedication to SILA that she brought to her patients and students.
Heidi de Leon was the recipient of the Joyce Jacob Fellowship Award.
Heidi is studying to achieve a Masters Degree in social work with a concentration on community organizing and business innovation. She wishes to learn how policy impacts organizations and effective ways to help agencies build capacity and bring about positive change.
She is specifically interested in advocating for policies for youthful offenders that will effectively use restorative justice rather than punishment.
The other Fellowship Award given this year was named in honor of Joan Johnson, who passed away last October. Joan was a Professor at California State University, LA, a highly regarded tennis player and coach, and a long-time SILA member who chaired the SILA Fellowship Committee for over 20 years.
Joyce del Rosario was the recipient of the Joan Johnson Memorial Fellowship Award.
Joyce is working towards her Ph.D. at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her work as the Executive Director of New Creation Home Ministries has led her to research positive and innovative ways to approach marginalized communities.
Joyce would also like to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level. After 20 years of experience working with teenagers and young adults in low-income communities, her passion is to inspire and encourage others to work in similar fields.
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LIVE YOUR DREAM AWARD WINNER
 Hannah Gehrels is SILA's 2017 Live Your Dream Award Winner. This award is presented annually to a local woman who provides the primary financial support for her family. Its purpose is to provide the resources needed to improve her education, skills and employment prospects.
This is how Hannah described herself: I am a survivor. Not only do I believe in upward mobility, I believe in hard work.
Opportunity, reward and luck are usually synonyms for result! They are all the result of hard work. This year, I have worked hard at my studies in an effort to further advance myself academically. This hard work is for my daughter and myself.
The grand prize will be achieved upon graduation, but each semester another "A" is a stepping stone to fulfilling self-efficacy and a secure future.
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FIRST 5 LA by Joyce Jacob
 Charlotte Lerchenmuller, a relatively new member to SILA, gave a very informative presentation at our April 19th Program Meeting on FIRST 5 LA.
 First 5 LA was created in 1998 to invest L.A. County's allocation of funds from California's Proposition 10 tobacco tax. Despite heavy anti-Prop 10 pressure from the tobacco industry, Prop 10 did pass and over $1.6 billion has been spent statewide to provide the best start for children.
The goal is to ensure that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life. It offers a wide range of programs, such as “Welcome Baby,” a free, voluntary, hospital-based home visiting program. First 5 LA also expands access to affordable, quality child care and preschool and offers educational resources to parents.
Thanks, Charlotte, for keeping us informed about vital programs for children.
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SPRING CONFERENCE
 SILA’s own Ginger Cole, as Governor of Camino Real Region, presided over this year’s Spring Conference. Held on April 21-23, eight additional SILA members attended, including Sheila, Lessie, Diane, Bev, Daphyne, Amy, Jessica, Julie, and prospective new member, Teneatha Turner.
Highlights included the Live Your Dream luncheon at which SILA’s winner, Hannah Gehrels, won 2nd Place in the Region. This awarded her an additional $2,000 from the Region and $3,000 from SIA. She attended with her 2 year old daughter, Carolyn.
Both Joan Johnson and Margaret Freed were remembered at the Memorial Program. SILA was recognized with several awards, including the Governor’s Club Award.  SILA's Sheila Tatum, now Region Parliamentarian, received a beautiful engraved vase with thanks for the years of service she gave to the Region as Spring Conference Chair.
Saturday night was a red carpet event called “Girls Night Out” at which Governor Ginger came dressed as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.
Always a good chance to see old Soroptimist friends, make new ones, and learn about Soroptimist activities across the Region, this Spring Conference was no exception.
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