Marin Women's Hall of Fame

The last Monday night of each month, Marin Women's Hall of Fame (MWHF) and The HALO Auxiliary will present a dynamic speaker (an Honoree or other community leader) and a "Fast-Track" leadership session at McInnis Park, San Rafael: 5:30 - 8:30 PM...  RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED....MWHF is a 22 year old non-profit, dedicated to identifying and honoring outstanding women leaders; offering mentoring and leadership development for girls and women of all ages and in all stages of life.  September 21st was the launch of this dynamic dinner series...  

ROOTS OF PEACE PLANTED IN THE HEART

OF MARIN WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

Tribute to United Nations International Day of Peace Helps Women in Afghanistan as Marin Women Give
Their “Two Cents” for Peace

September 23, 2009—San Rafael, California:  In tribute to the United Nations International Day of Peace, Marin Women’s Hall of Fame held its inaugural “Dine, Dialogue, Develop“ Dinner on September 21st, where 56 women met to explore their role as leaders in the world and to listen to the HERstory of one of the world’s strongest advocates for peace, Heidi Kuhn, Founder/CEO, Roots of Peace, and a Hall of Fame Honoree. The evening was designed to evoke bold leadership initiatives for women.

Heidi’s work removing landmines in war-torn corners or the world and her ‘call to action’ brought the room to its feet as they acknowledged her work to heal and transform Afghanistan, taking it ‘from mines to vines’.  “Once known as the Garden of Central Asia, this shell shocked region deserves our great attention and aid: as 80% of the country is dependent on agriculture and 44.6% of the population is under the age of 14 years old”, stated Ms. Kuhn.

Noreen O’Neill, Executive Director for the Hall of Fame, was so inspired to realize that the 56 women attending this leadership dinner could be reflective of the 56 founders who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  Ms. O’Neill stated, “Imagine, 56 committed women could also help to change the world.  It is time to take a stand for real independence and create our own ‘Declaration For Peace’ that could be sent around the world, reaching more groups of 56 women, and over 56 nations, and beyond.”

Heidi Kuhn stated, “A conference convened in San Francisco, April 25, 1945, with delegates from 50 countries from around the world. They met to draft and sign the Charter of the United Nations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt unexpectedly died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened this United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods' Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor. It is therefore so meaningful and unifying to have the idea of a ‘Declaration For Peace’ spring forth from the same Marin County soil.  This document could reach deeper into the heart of all people seeking an end to violence and war. This intention is of particular importance as the United Nations convenes this week in New York City and our President, Barack Obama, speaks before the General Assembly.” 

Heidi also suggested a deeper alliance wherein Roots of Peace and Marin Women’s Hall of Fame would collaborate and write this vitally important document. This pledge will create a network of unyielding commitment that will eventually go beyond removing all the landmines, to transform and “green” the countryside ravaged by war in Croatia, Angola, Vietnam, Afghanistan and other regions.  Heidi further noted that the Roots of Peace “pennies campaign” enables people at any economic level to participate in this transformation process when they donate their pocket change to directly benefit Afghan women and children.  To date, “Roots of Peace” has raised over 30 million American “pennies” for peace to help build schools and soccer fields in Afghanistan.

“As we greet this first day of Fall 2009, we call forth a ‘Harvest of Hope’ to continue to raise funds so 600 high school girls will be educated at the Roots of Peace Girls School located in Bamyan—the site where The Taliban destroyed the ancient Buddhas.”

As women, as a nation, as a world, we are challenged to step forward with innovation, dedication, education and generosity, as substitutes for landmines.  We can help Roots of Peace transform this region from a barren, ravaged country and restore bounty and hope for a better future.  Imagine the absolute opposite of everything you typically see on television about Afghanistan and that is exactly what we can create with our “two cents’ and a whole lot more as we women around the world focus, unite and pledge for peace, said Noreen O’Neill.”

“Together, we also stand in solidarity for the first/only woman Governor of Afghanistan, Dr. Habibi Soraibi, whom I personally had the honor of meeting with, in June 2008.  We hope these 56 women who shared ideas and a meal last night, will stay committed to leadership and hold this vision so it will grow worldwide as we continue to seek alternative solutions in countries like Afghanistan, through opportunity, education, enterprise and sports—one penny at a time!”, said Heidi.

The total amount of “pennies” raised during the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame leadership dinner was presented the next day to Russ Colombo, President/CEO, Bank of Marin, who wire transferred each American “penny” to Afghanistan to help build a more peaceful tomorrow. 

www.rootsofpeace.org.

http://www.marinwomenshalloffame.org

Another fantastic Annual Dinner!  On March 26, 2009, we celebrated our 21st Anniversary recognizing Marin County's most extraordinary women.  We had the largest turnout of Honorees in any one year and a  room filled with the powerful energy of  women and men who all came to celebrate the induction of our 97th through 101st Honoree:

Mary Murtagh - Community Service
Sister Marion Irvine, O.P. - Education
Gloria Simoneaux - Social Change
Paula Kamena - Public Affairs
Laurel Burch - Arts (Posthumous) 

The evening began with the wonderful music of Michael Klapholz playing acoustic, classical guitar in the front foyer.  And, through Marinda Freeman of MF Productions we all enjoyed the fantastic music of The Dan Smith Classic Jazz Band (415-461-5630), who played smooth jazz in the Santa Rosa Room. 

The M.I.S.S. Program girls helped us sell notecards and raffle tickets while the guests considered the Silent Auction in the foyer.

The stage was set by two of Flora Zande 's magnificent Renaissance bouquets.  Portraits of the 2009 Honorees graced the table behind the podium, thanks to Marilyn Garry-Mulkeen and her brilliant photography.

Tribute to the lives of Honoree Beverly Bastian (D. April 2008) and Honoree Ruth Sluser (D. February 2009) began the program. 

Then on a happier note the organization acknowledged all the outstanding contributions made by Pat Warren, President of the Board and one of the original founders of MWHF, for her 21 years of continuous, dedicated service to the Hall of Fame.   

The montage of each 2009 Honoree started the evening off with many wonderful photographs of their life stories.  Most of the breathtaking musical scores that accompanied each montage were from Gary Malkin's original compositions. 

After dinner, Emmy Award winning composer, singer and public speaker, Gary Malkin , sang a tribute song to all women with a special dedication to his friend Laurel Burch and the other women Honorees.  "Do You Remember Who You Are" was so deeply meaningful and touching.  His a capella version of this original composition brought tears and smiles to all.  

The morphing of every Honorees face...one upon the other...101 women...was beautifully produced by Marcia McLean (415-246-1994) and her team of film and video experts.  That element to the evening was a show-stopper and the Honoree procession followed with resounding applause from the audience. 

Marin Women's Hall of Fame then welcomed each of the women with an introduction from a previous year's  Honoree (Grace Hughes introduced Mary Murtagh; Rev. Fu Schroeder introduced Sister Marion Irvine, O.P.; Dr. Lois Merriweather Moore introduced Gloria Simoneaux; Elaine Petrocelli introduced Paula Kamena and Cheryl Jennings introduced Aarin Burch, daughter of Laurel Burch).  The 2009 Honorees charmed the audience with stories and insights into their fascinating lives.  Each Honoree was presented with legislative commendations from California State Senator Mark Leno and from Assemblyman Jared Huffman. They were also presented a sterling silver replica of the Hall of Fame logo, a pendant, by jewelry designer Kathy Askijian . 

Joan Capurro, SVP, Director of Community Relations, Bank of Marin, was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.  Along with her great sense of humor and charm, Joan captivated everyone's attention wearing another one of her stunning hats, of course!

The evening ended at 9:00 PM with many guests winning delicious pies donated by Chris Milne, Owner of Upper Crust Pies and other wonderful raffle and silent auction items.