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JULIE ABRAMS
Business & Professions
2011
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Julie Castro Abrams is the CEO of Women’s
Initiative for Self Employment, a non- profit which provides education,
training, and microloans to women-owned small businesses and transforms the
lives of low income, high potential graduates. Under Ms. Abrams’s direction, the training-based, micro
lending program has generated a return of $30 to the local economy for every
dollar spent. Julie is responsible
for the organization’s expansion from three to eighteen training locations
throughout the Bay Area, including an expansion to Novato. Through her leadership, the
organization has increased the number of women trained and receiving microloans
by tenfold, and generating an estimated $480 million social return on
investment.
Julie has been profoundly affected by
social and economic inequality since she was a little girl. She quickly identified a life path that
embraced the Judaic-Christian-Muslim traditions of service, sacrifice, and
encouraging strength and transformation among the most marginalized community members.
Julie is a passionate advocate and clear
that Women’s Initiative provides the most effective poverty-reduction strategy
that exists. She believes that
economic power is at the heart of the search for equality and social justice
and she has worked on behalf of women, children and various communities of
color her whole life.
A leader in non-profit sector for twenty
years, Julie has advanced degrees in social work and social policy from
Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, and speaks both nationally
and internationally on U.S. economic development, microenterprise and microfinance,
anti-poverty strategies, and women’s issues. She joined Women’s Initiative in
2002, after spending more than a decade heading non-profits in the Chicago region.
While leading Women’s Initiative, Ms.
Abrams received the Community Leader of the Year award from Leadership
California, named among San Francisco’s “Most Influential Women”, and
recognized by the San Francisco League of Women voters as a “Woman Who Could Be
President.” She has also been
named the SBA Business Advocate of the year, awarded Oakland’s Women of
Greatness, Human Rights Award from the Commission on the Status of Women and
the Women of Color Action Network Award.
Under Ms. Abrams’s leadership, the Urban Institute Best Practices
Foundation, the Equal Rights Advocates, and Cisco Innovation in Technology have
recognized Women’s Initiative.
Ms. Abrams is on the board of the National
Council of La Raza and she is a member of the advisory board for OneCal
Bank.
Julie shares a bilingual home with a
devoted husband who was born in Mexico, two wonderful children who she adores,
and has foster parented abused and neglected Marin children.
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ETTA
ALLEN
Business & Professions
1988
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Etta Allen is a Marin pioneer for women in non-traditional
careers. Etta showed an early resolve for entering fields not
ordinarily open to women by earning an airplane pilot's license while
still a teenager. Later, she co-founded a heating, air conditioning
and sheet metal business with her husband, Jim. Upon his death,
she faced tremendous obstacles to obtaining a heating/ventilation
contractor's license for herself, despite years of contracting experience.
Through persistence and patience - the hallmarks of Etta's success
- she was able to take the contractor's exam. Allen Heating
and Sheeting Metal, Inc. continues to be a successful Marin business.
Ms. Allen went on to become the first
woman President of the Marin Builder's Exchange, where she is still
an active member. She was the first woman contractor on the
executive committee of the California Association of Builder's Exchanges.
She also served on the Apprentice Committee for Women in Non-Traditional
Careers. Etta was elected to the Marin Community College Board
for two terms (eight years). She was President of the Bay Area
Trustees for Community Colleges. Etta continues to be a leader
in the Marin community. She was appointed by the Governor to
the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board. She was the first
woman President of the San Rafael Rotary Club, and was President of
the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. She maintains a strong involvement
with both organizations. A board member of the Marin General
Hospital Foundation for many years, she recently moved to the Hospital's
Management Board of Directors. In addition, Etta is a director
of Westamerica Bank.
Read the extended biography by Nancy Nakai
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BETH
ASHLEY
Business & Professions
1994
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From her first job as program director of a "start-up" radio
station called KTIM, to her work as an editor of the China Daily in
Beijing, Beth Ashley has had a rich and varied career.
Ms. Ashley has reflected Marin County's history
to new readers and captured warm reminiscences for its long-time residents.
She has made us look at our responses to important issues by revealing
her own thoughts and feelings to us. She has helped everyone
in Marin to grow and become more aware of who we are and where we
are.
During the 1950's, she was one of two women
news editors on daily newspapers in California. During that
period, she was elected President of the United Press Editor's Association
of Northern California. She had job offers from the two major
newspapers in San Francisco, but turned them down because she preferred
to work in Marin where she could be close to her children and be part
of the local community.
Ms. Ashley has had her own public relations
firm, traveled the world and written about it, captured the essence
of Marin in her legendary columns and in her most recent book, "MARIN."
She also worked in 1990 in Moscow on Komsomolskaya Pravda and
on USA Today in Washington in 1996. She is a role model
for success through hard work, perseverance, kindness and compassion.
Read the extended biography by Marilyn Geary
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KIT
M. COLE
Business & Professions
1997
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Kit M. Cole has dedicated her professional life to bringing women
into leadership roles in the financial field. As a young divorcee
with five children under six, she left her job teaching to work as
an assistant in a brokerage house. She quickly obtained her
brokers license and became one of the first women stockbrokers hired
by a major brokerage firm in the United States.
Five years later, she founded Cole Financial
Group, Inc., an investment advisory firm specializing in providing
financial guidance, education and investment management to women.
Today, Cole Financial Group manages $50 million in investments.
A year after starting Cole Financial, she co founded New Horizons
Savings & Loan, securing her destiny as one of the first women
in the country to be the founding chairman of the Board of Directors
of a financial institution. It also made New Horizons one of
the first financial institutions in the country organized and managed
by women. In 1991, she founded San Rafael Thrift & Loan,
and again championed gender equality in decision-making power.
She is currently Chairman/CEO of the Thrift whose assets at year end
were over $68 million.
Ms. Cole offers programs in personal finance
and investments for women and has co-founded two community organizations,
Wednesday Morning Dialogue and Marin Forum. A Girl Scout leader
for 17 years, Cole has served on several community boards, including
the Bay Area Girl Scout Council, United Way, and Mill Valley Film
Festival. She is currently Vice-Chair of the Marin Women's Commission
and Co-Chair of the Commission's Economic Resource Committee.
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ANN
DIAMOND
Business & Professions
1989
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Newsweek has noted that Ann Diamond founded the first all women-lawyer
legal firm in the Bay Area. In addition to that "first,"
Ms. Diamond also pioneered the area of family law as a legal
specialty. As a member of the Family Law Advisory Commission of the
California State Bar, she helped to set state guidelines for child and
spousal support. She taught law at U.C. Davis.
Ms. Diamond came to the U.S. from Hungary at the
age of 17, speaking no English. Within seven years she had graduated
from high school, college and law school and passed the bar exam.
She went on to practice law with distinction until retirement at age 73.
Ann Diamond can look back on a legacy of the
Marin Legal Aid Society, Lawyer Referral Service, developed family
mediation techniques and a cadre of lawyers and judges who call her
"mentor." The first woman to serve as President of the
Marin County Bar Association, Ms. Diamond was also the President of
the Northern California Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers.
Ms. Diamond remains very active with the Family
Law Center, Kids Turn and other innovative programs designed to help
families at the time of separation.
Read the extended biography by Nancy Nakai
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Grace
A. Hughes
Business & Professions
2002
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Through her outstanding business acumen and dedication
to the community, Grace Hughes has brought success to her company
as well as generous commitment to many Marin non-profit organizations.
Since Ms. Hughes became President of the Marin Airporter in 1984,
the company has evolved from an eight-vehicle operation to a 26-bus
"transportation empire" with two terminals, an administrative
center, and a maintenance facility. More than 90 Airporter
employees provide daily service to SFO at half-hour intervals, as
well as charter service throughout the Bay Area.
Before assuming the leadership of Marin Airporter, Grace spent six
years in the public sector. She was a program director with
the CORO Foundation, an organization dedicated to strengthening
communities by training individuals to be effective, ethical leaders.
Grace also worked for the Democratic National Committee in California
and New York City.
Grace's passion for giving back to the community is demonstrated
both by her role on myriad non-profit Boards and by her personal
and corporate support of the non-profit community.
A past trustee of the Marin Community Foundation, Ms. Hughes most
recently has become involved with organizations and task forces
devoted to community health, such as the Marin Community Clinic.
Grace also serves as co-chair of the Large Employer's Task Force
on Work-force Housing. And last but not least, she's proud
of her 15-year record of "Bowling for Kids," even though
she has never broken 50!
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CATHERINE MUNSON
Business & Professions
2010
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The Marin Women’s Hall of Fame honors Catherine Munson for her
past efforts to preserve the Marin County Civic Center, acquire land for
permanent open space and create the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Catherine Munson grew up in a little town in central Nebraska
during the depression. Her childhood was simple but she enjoyed an
excellent basic education and an outstanding music education. This
foundation gave her the tools for a rich and rewarding life.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a double
masters degree in microbiology and biochemistry. She met her first
husband, Bill Munson, there. They lived in Chicago before moving to
their dream city, San Francisco. When they purchased an Eichler home in
Terra Linda, it was the 200th house in this brand new community. They
wanted to help shape the destiny of this new community. They were also
committed to public recreation in Terra Linda.
Catherine went to work for Joseph Eichler. She also worked with
Caroline Livermore to raise money for construction and physically worked
to build Pixie Place at the Marin Art and Garden Center – the first
preschool playground in Marin County. She was pivotally involved in
preserving the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center, the acquisition of
permanent open space and the Pt. Reyes National Park.
When Bill died in 1967, she continued working for Joseph Eichler
and to support her 3 daughters. She formed Lucas Valley Properties in
1967 and has directed this firm prosperously ever since. Her daughter
Shelley has been a principal for almost 30 years.
In 1975 she married Bud Sthymmel, her real estate mentor. They
traveled the world when not working intensely and enjoyed great
happiness with his 3 boys and her 3 girls.
Her real estate career includes developments such as Pacheco
Valley, Sunrise Pointe, Quarry Mountain Estates as well as five
industrial condominium projects, McInnis Park Golf Center and various
commercial projects. She continues to be the premier representative of
Eichler homes, having sold over 3,000 of these iconic midcentury modern
residences.
She has served on the Board of the Marin Symphony almost
continuously since 1965, and has endowed the concert master chair. She
has been treasurer of Wednesday Morning Dialogue for 20 years. Her
service on the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy also spans 20
years and her service on the Marin History Museum Board spans the same
time.
A major focus has been her role in founding the Marin Community
Bank, later Business Bank of California. Currently she is vice chair of
Alta Pacific Bank in Santa Rosa. Her interest in two philanthropies over
shadows all others:
The first is Project Amigo – an educational project in Southwest
Mexico. She has served as president of the Board for 10 years. Their
efforts have resulted in 26 indigenous children being currently enrolled
in the University of Colima, Mexico. 15 have graduated including 2
lawyers and one practicing physician. Started by many Marin County
Rotary Clubs, currently there are over 300 kids in the project from
preschool to graduate school.
Her second passion is for the Buck Institute for Age Research.
She is currently vice Chair of the Board. She is devoted to basic
research into causes of aging and to results which will extend the
healthy life span.
Catherine is an enthusiastic pillar of Marin County, involved in
conservation, the arts, and the preservation of Marin County’s history.
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ELAINE
PETROCELLI Business & Professions
2008
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When
Elaine Petrocelli opened a bookstore 32 years ago, she envisioned
a place that would bring the world to Marin and vice versa. That
she has done so successfully, against the odds, is in itself a great
story.
Elaine Petrocelli has always been the face and heart of Book Passage,
with her husband, Bill, working in the background. She announces
speakers, introduces new programs, speaks to the community, and
will recommend a string of books at the slightest request. She has
worked hard to ensure that Book Passage remains Marin’s favorite
bookstore.
Innovation, hard work, optimism, and community spirit are Elaine’s
trademarks. When celebrity authors visit the Bay Area, they want
to come to Book Passage. The store hosts 700 author events each
year – nearly two a day – of presidents, pundits, Nobelists,
and first time novelists. Many people come hours early or sit on
the floor, just to glimpse their favorite authors.
Book Passage classes and conferences help make it more than just
a business. Book Passage teaches everything from writing memoirs
to marketing your manuscript. The calendar is anchored each year
by the Mystery Writers Conference, the Children’s Book Conference,
and the Travel Writers Conference. With a reputation for solid content,
an engaging professional faculty, and an international base for
students, Book Passage has brought the community bookstore to a
new level.
Elaine makes sure to give back to the community. Under her guidance,
Book Passage events raise money for Hospice of Marin, Marin Community
Clinic, Buckelew Programs, Canal Community Alliance, Marin Abused
Women Services, Marin Aids Projects, Breast Cancer Action, Performing
Stars, Marin Literacy Project, Marin Education Fund, and many other
programs. Book Passage becomes a rallying-point in times of crisis.
When the literary community wanted to put on a fund-raiser on short
notice to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Book Passage
stepped in with an extraordinarily successful event.
Elaine and Book Passage are widely recognized
beyond Marin, with a newsletter reaching 40,000 people worldwide.
Other independent booksellers consider her an innovator and mentor.
Elaine has been named “Bookseller of the Year” by Publishers
Weekly and recognized as a “Woman Making History” by
the International Women’s Forum. She has received a “Creative
Achievement Award” from Mill Valley as well as an “Inspiring
the Future Award” from the Marin Education Fund. Elaine Petrocelli
has written herself into the heart of the community and the Marin
Women’s Hall of Fame.
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THE
HON. BEVERLY BLOCH SAVITT
Business & Professions
1995
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In 1983, Judge Savitt became the first woman to serve on the Marin
County Superior Court bench. She earned her law degree at Bolt
Hall School of Law at U.C. Berkeley. She and two other attorneys
formed the first all-female law firm in the country. She was
the eighth woman to join the Marin County Bar Association and the
second to serve as its President. She has generously contributed
her time and energy to the education of lawyers and judges, particularly
in the area of family law. She has been the founding member
of many important organizations whose central purpose is to empower
women and ensure that their voices are heard: the California
Women Lawyers, the Marin Chapter of the National Women's Political
Caucus of Marin, and the Center for Families in Transition.
In the 1970's she was active with the Marin
County Chapter of the League of Women Voters when she analyzed and
made recommendations for improving the juvenile court system in Marin.
She also served as Vice Chair of the Juvenile Justice Commission.
While serving on the Marin Council for Civic
Affairs, Judge Savitt recommended reforming the grand jury selection
system and developed a questionnaire for the court which is still
in use. She has been instrumental in planning and implementing
many changes to improve the quality of justice in Marin County --
including initiating a new way to handle family law matters and promoting
alternative dispute resolution. In 1983 she was honored with
the Women Making History award. Although she retired from the
bench in 1995, Judge Savitt still serves as a private judge.
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ALICE
YARISH
Business & Professions
1990
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Alice Yarish has always loved to write. She wrote for various
publications throughout high school, college and law school.
During the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles in the summer of 1932,
Alice reported on the women's competitive events. Eventually
moving to Marin, she began to cover the courts, prisons and other
aspects of the criminal justice system. Writing about some of
the most famous Marin trials in recent history, Alice distinguished
herself as a champion for social justice and a talented investigative
reporter.
Earning the trust of many San Quentin inmates,
she was able to explain to the reading public the trouble that some
prisoners faced and what life was really like inside a maximum security
prison. Her advocacy on their behalf continued to build her
reputation as a fighter for social justice. Alice also wrote
about the local political scene, the policies of local law enforcement
departments and was responsible for uncovering questionable practices.
Her trademark was to "stick up for the people who couldn't
speak up for themselves". Her life has had many rewards,
among them meeting several U.S. President, diplomats, famous artists
and musicians. She is also the proud founder of Marin Advocates
for Justice. She has served on many boards of local organizations
and was on the county's Adult Criminal Justice Commission for two
terms.
Read Alice Yarish's extended biography
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