Sierra Mar District Officers & Chairs for 2024-25

President Karen Roberson roberson.karen@sbcglobal.net President-Elect Carolina Flores-Helizon forever46carolina@gmail.com	Secretary Mavis Hansen  (626) 441-6231 newmavis08@outlook.com
Treasurer Denise Rubin	Parliamentarian Linda Wilson (626) 307-5650 lindalwilson@juno.com
Standing Chairs/Special Chairs Finance: vacant By-Laws: Linda Wilson Programs/Projects: Sally McMahon First Timers: Helen Crisp California BPW Education Fund, Inc. Chair: Esthela Torres de Siegrist Opportunities/Ways and Means: Carmen Simmons Public Policy: Sally McMahon Nominations: Mavis Hansen Membership/Marketing: vacant Conference Coordinator: Lifelong Leadership and Learning Team: Maryann Wesson, Public Speaking mpww@earthlink.net (626) 332-7486;  Sally McMahon, Legislation and Related Topics skmcmahon333@gmail.com (626) 825-0557; Linda Wilson, Protocol, Parliamentary Procedure and Related Topics lindalwilson@juno.com (626) 307-5650 Financial Review: Maryann Wesson Young Professional: vacant Vendor Coordinator: Sally McMahon Yearbook: Linda Wilson Registration: Denise Rubin Small Business: vacant

President’s theme: Together

Conference Dates and Locations for 2024-25 (Call goes out 45 days in advance of meeting)

Next Meeting: Saturday, June 15th is Sierra Mar District BPW’s June Training Meeting Annual at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2009 S. Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park starting at 9:00 A.M. East Valley BPW is planning the meeting.  Registration is $15, and the Box Lunch is $15. Guests do not pay registration. Registrations and checks made out to Sierra Mar BPW District are to be sent to Denise Rubin, 9905 Brockway Street, El Monte, CA  91733 or 1992deniser@gmail.com by June 5th. Registration is required. 

 

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Completed Programs and Events

Saturday, January 27,2024 Long-time East Valley and Sierra Mar BPW District Marie Clifton’s Celebration of Life was held at the Spaghetti Factory in Duarte, CA. There were more than 70 people in attendance including co-workers, renters at the place Marie managed and Business and Professional Women from Sierra Mar and Valley BPW Districts. The following photos are just some of the attendees.

Banner showing Marie at various stages of her life	Marie Clifton	Carolina, Sue and Marjory	Mary, Lynn, Anne Marie and Mavis
Jo Anne, Cherrl-Lou and Margaret	Mary and Gigi	Helen, Sally and Celia	Maryann

Saturday, January 20, 2024 was Sierra Mar’s Winter Conference. Sierra Mar President Sally McMahon chaired the meeting which was on voting, the CFBPW Public Policy Statement and CFBPW Focus issues for 2024-26. Denise Luckhurst, CFBPW Finance Chair, was the State Representative. The speaker was Margo Reeg, Co-President of the Los Angeles League of Women Voters and President of the Whittier League of Women Voters.

[] Sierra Mar President Sally McMahon	CFBPW Finance Chair and State Representative Denise Luckhurst	CFBPW State Rep. with Sierra Mar President Sally
Co-President of Los Angeles League of Women Voters, President of Whittier League of Women Voters and morning speaker Margo Reeg	El Monte BPW members (front) Esthela, Carmen, Mary and (back) Zennie, Mavis and Denise	(front) Maryann (East Valley BPW), Sandy (NFBPWC Parliamentarian) and (back) Helen (East Valley) and Jo Anne (East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW)

Saturday, October 28, 2023 was Sierra Mar’s Fall Conference. Mavis Hansen, President of El Monte BPW conducted the meeting. October is Domestic Awareness Month. Mavis gave all attendees purple ribbons in recognition of the month and pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness. Lynn Brandstater, immediate Past CFBPW President and current CFBPW Nominations Chair, was the State Representative. The morning speaker were Kim Plater and Alice Slaughter, co-founders of DVAC, Domestic Violence Action Coalition. The afternoon speaker was Health and Wellness Coach Nancy Krueger. All three speakers talked about domestic violence.

KIm Plater from DVAC	Alice Slaughter from DVAC	El Monte BPW President Mavis with Kim and Alice	Sierra Mar First Timers Chair Helen
State Rep. Lynn Brandstater	East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW Parliamentarian Jo Anne	Conejo Valley BPW Vice President Cherrl-Lou and East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW Treasurer Yvonne	East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW member Theresa and East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW Vice President Carol
CFBPW Past State President Rosemary and Hollywood BPW President Marjory	El Monte BPW 1st Vice President Mary Jo, El Monte BPW Corresponding Secretary Carmen and El Monte Recording Secretary Esthela	El Monte Treasurer Mary, El Monte Woman’s Club President Gina Morales and afternoon speaker Nancy Krueger	State Rep. Lynn, East Valley BPW Secretary Maryann and Sierra Mar President Sally
Afternoon speaker Nancy Krueger

September 17, 2023 20 Sierra Mar

and Valley Sunset BPW District members attended the play “The Right Is Ours!” which is a musical about Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre, CA.

Play Program

Sierra Mar BPW District members Maryann, Helen, Sally and Celia

All attendees received a yellow rose to show support for Women’s Suffrage

George Van Hove, who had been a member of San Gabriel BPW and Monrovia BPW, passed away this spring. He was known for contributing his strawberry pie and brownies to Sierra Mar District’s Annual June Training and fundraising Dessert Auction. One year his strawberry pie went for $250. Members of Sierra Mar attended his memorial service on July 1st at the 1st Lutheran Church in Monrovia.

George Van Hove

Maryann, Linda, Sally, Marie and Carolina

Maryann, Linda, Sally, Marie and Anna

Saturday, April 17, 2023 was Sierra Mar’s Annual Conference. Linda Wilson, President of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW conducted the meeting. The meeting started with Sierra Mar District Secretary Mavis Hansen conducting a memorial service for members who had passed away in the last year.  Rosemary Enzer, CFBPW Public Policy Co-chair and past President of CFBPW, was the State Representative. The morning speaker was Josue Arias, Chief Kindness Officer for the Boys and Girls Club of the West San Gabriel Valley and the Eastside. Sierra Mar BPW District also recognized Monique Rodriguez as its Young Professional for 2023. She talked about the various jobs that she has held. She presently administers the Cal VIP program for the Boys and Girls Club of the West San Gabriel Valley and the Eastside. The afternoon speaker was Ivette Aragon, Chief Deputy for Congressman Jimmy Gomez. In addition, officers for 2023-24 were elected. Marjory Hopper, CFBPW Program/Projects Chair, Valley Sunset BPW District President and Hollywood BPW President, was the installing officer.

Mavis conducting the Memorial Service	CFBPW State Representative Rosemary Enzer	East Los Angeles-Montebello Treasurer Yvonne introducing the morning speaker
Josue Arias, the morning speaker	Sierra Mar BPW District “2023 Young Professional” with East Los Angeles-Montebello President Linda presenting her with the plaque	Young Professional Plaque
Afternoon speaker Ivette Aragon	Installing Officer Marjory Hopper	Sierra Mar District President 2023-24 Sally McMahon

Saturday, January 28, 2023 was Sierra Mar’s Winter Conference. Sally McMahon, President of East Valley BPW conducted the meeting. Marjory Hopper, CFBPW Program/Projects Chair, Valley Sunset BPW District President and Hollywood BPW President. was the State Representative. The morning speaker was Sandy Thompson, CFBPW Parliamentarian and immediate Past NFBPWC President. She updated the attendees on the BPW Regional Conference January 8th-15th in St. Kitts and told about the upcoming “Heart of a Woman” conference February 11th in Houston, Texas and via Zoom. Her main talk was “BPW 100 Years in One Hour.” The afternoon speaker was State Senator Susan Rubio, who talked about redistricting and bills she is working on having to do with domestic violence and children.

Morning Speaker Sandy Thompson	CFBPW Rep. Marjory Hopper	Chair of the meeting Sally McMahon, East Valley BPW President	State Senator Susan Rubio
East Los Angeles-Montebello Vice President Carol Sullivan with (on the right) the afternoon speaker Susan Rubio

Saturday, October 15, 2022 was Sierra Mar’s Fall Conference. Mavis Hansen, President of El Monte BPW conducted the meeting.

Rosemary Enzer, past State President , CFBPW Public Policy Co-chair and President of the California BPW Education Fund was the State Representative. The morning speaker was Linda Hess, who talked about Urban Harvester. The afternoon speaker was Maggie Shelley, who spoke on domestic violence.

 

Rosemary Enzer, State Rep for the meeting	First Timers: Lilian and JoAnne	First Timers Chair Helen with El Monte BPW Recording Secretary Esthela	East Valley BPW Secretary Maryann with East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW “Woman of Achievement for 2022” Kathryn Foster
Morning Speaker Linda Hess of Urban Harvester	East Valley President Sally	Afternoon Speaker Maggie Shelley, who spoke on domestic violence	Maggie Shelley

Saturday, June 18, 2022 was Sierra Mar’s June Training and Dessert Auction. Sally McMahon, President of East Valley BPW, conducted the meeting. Marjory Hopper, Program/Projects

LChair for CFBPW, Valley Sunset District President, Hollywood BPW President and Dual Member of East Los Angeles-Montebello, was the State Representative. The morning speaker was Jane Armbruster Friday, who is in charge of Friends in Deed’s Women’s’s Room. The afternoon speaker was East Valley BPW Secretary Maryann Wesson, who did a mini-workshop on public speaking.

East Valley BPW President Sally, who chaired the June Training Meeting

CFBPW Program Project Chair and State Representative for the meeting Marjory Hopper

Jane Friday from Friends In Deed’s Women’s Room and the morning speaker

East Valley BPW Secretary and the afternoon speaker Maryann

Saturday, April 16, 2022 Sierra Mar held its Annual Conference. CFBPW State President Lynn Brandstater was the State representative. The first morning speaker was Dominique Ruedaflores, who gave her Monterey Park Lion’s Award-winning speech “How Can Kindness Reunite Our Country?” The scond morning speaker was Burbank BPW Secretary and Zonta Lt. Governor Gloria Salas, who spoke on human trafficking. During the recognition and awards part of the program, Mavis Hansen and Denise Rubin were awarded Ms BPW plaques, and President Linda received a plaque recognizing her 50th-year membership and service in BPW. CFBPW Program/Projects Chair and Valley Sunset District BPW President Marjory Hopper was the afternoon speaker talking on the NFBPWC Afghan Project. She also installed Lynn Wen, San Gabriel Valley BPW, as President of Sierra Mar District for 2022-23 and the other officers.

Lions’ Speech winner Dominique Ruedaflores	Sierra Mar President Linda with Dominique	Sierra Mary President Linda with speaker Gloria Salas	On right Sierra Mar District Secretary Maryann presenting President Linda with 50-year recognition plaque
Sierra Mar President Linda with CFBPW President Lynn	Sierra Mar District Secretary Maryann presenting Mavis with Ms BPW Plaque	East Los Angeles-Montebello President Karen receiving recognition certificate from Maryann for having monthly Club Programs during the last year	Secretary Maryann presenting a certificate of recognition to Marie for East Valley BPW
Secretary Maryann presenting a certificate of recognition to Mary for El Monte BPW	Secretary Maryann presenting a certificate of recognition to Lynn for San Gabriel Valley BPW	President Linda presenting a plaque to Sabrina Chu for being Sierra Mar’s Young Professional for 2022	CFBPW Program/Projects Chair and Valley Sunset District President Marjory, who spoke in the afternoon on the NFBPWC Afghan Project
President Linda thanking Marjory for being the afternoon speaker	Marjory installing Lynn Wen as Sierra Mar District President for 2022-23	Sierra Mar District President Lynn Wen

Saturday, January 15, 2022 Sierra Mar had its Winter Conference. NFBPWC Immediate Past President Sandy Thompson was the State representative. The first morning speaker was actor Cici Lau, who spoke on the “Tenacity of an Actor.” Cici is a veteran actor of more than 30 years. In 2021 she won the Ariel for Best Supporting Actor, which is the Mexican Academy Award. Sandy Thompson did a PowerPoint presentation of the Lifelong Leadership and Learning module “Business Etiquette.”

Actress Cici Lau	Cici in character role	Cici with Mexican Academy Award for Best  Supporting Actress
NFBPWC Immediate Past President Sandy	Participants at Sierra Mar Winter Conference via Zoom

Saturday, October 16, 2021 Sierra Mar had its Fall Conference. CFBPW Past President Rosemary Enzer was the State representative. She also spoke on CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Immediate Past NFBPWC President Sandy Thompson talked about CEDAW, the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. El Monte BPW organized the meeting, and El Monte President Mary chaired the meeting.

CFBPW Immediate Past President Rosemary Enzer

NFBPWC Immediate Past President Sandy Thompson

PowerPoint presentation on CEDAW with Mary, El Monte President BPW and Sandy Sanders viewing

Saturday, June 19, 2021 Sierra Mar had its annual June Training meeting. Uche Asiodu, Kaiser Permanente Clinical Program Manager at Kaiser Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar Clinic, spoke about “Adapting to Life Post COVID.” Immediate Past NFBPWC President Sandy, CFBPW Small Business Chair and Sierra Mar President Linda talked about “What’s In It for Me (WIIFM)?” to be an officer and/or chair in BPW. East Valley BPW organized the meeting, and East Valley President Sally chaired the meeting.

Sierra Mar President Linda	East Valley President and Chair of the meeting Sally	Sierra Mar Secretary Maryann	Sierra Mar Treasurer Denise
Sierra Mar Parliamentarian Mavis	Speaker Uche Asiodu, Kaiser Permanente Clinical Program Manager at Kaiser Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar Clinic	PowerPoint Presentation	PowerPoint Presentation
East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW President Karen	El Monte BPW President Mary	San Gabriel Valley BPW President Lynn	CFBPW Small Business Chair and State Rep for the meeting Manjul
CFBPW President Lynn	NFBPW immediate Past President and speaker on WIIFM Sandy	CFBPW Membership Chair Bessie	CFBPW Program/Projects Chair and Holywood BPW President Marjory
CFBPW Memorial Chair and member of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW Twila	El Monte BPW Secretary Esthela	Guest Janet Fuchek	Attendees at Sierra Mar’s June Training meeting

Sunday, April 25, 2021 Sierra Mar President Linda presented the 2021 Sierra Mar Young Professional Plaque to Stephanie Esquivel at the West San Gabriel Boys and Girls Club in Monterey Park

Stephanie Esquivel, Sierra Mar BPW District’s Young Professional 2021

Saturday, April 10, 2021 was Sierra Mar’s Annual  Conference via Zoom. There were 34 in attendance. The meeting started with a memorial service honoring members who had passed away since the last Annual Conference in 2019 – Blanca Munguia, Donna Crippen, Shirley Campbell and Eleanor “Ellie” Mires. The speaker was Dr. Jill Shook, the Executive Director and co-founder with her husband of the nonprofit, Making Housing and Community Happen. CFBPW Bill Screening Committee member was the State Representative. We also recognized Stephanie Esquivel, as 2021 Young Professional. She talked about her accomplishments. East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW planned the meeting.

Mavis, Sierra Mar Memorial Chair	Twila, member of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW	Maryann, Sierra Mar Secretary
Denise, Sierra Mar Treasurer	Sally, CFBPW State Representative	Dr. Jill Shook, speaker on Making Housing Happen
CFBPW President Lynn	Stephanie Esquivel, Sierra Mar Young Professional 2021
Sierra Mar President-Elect Lynn	Yvonne, member of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW	Marjory, President of Hollywood BPW
Manjul, NFBPWC and CFBPW Small Business Chairs	Theresa, member of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW	Jacqueline, member of BPW Virtual
Ada, San Gabriel Valley BPW PR Chair	Karen, President of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW	Linda, President of Sierra Mar District BPW

Saturday, January 16, 2021 was Sierra Mar’s Winter Conference via Zoom. There were 28 in attendance. The first speaker was be Sher Singh, who is the NFBPWC Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Chair. She spoke on “Cultural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” and recruiting members. The State Representative wasTrudy Waldroop, Past State President of CFBPW, currently Secretary of Northern District BPW and President of Chico BPW. She gave a talk on the accomplishments of the Past Presidents of the California Federation of Business and Professional Women (CFBPW). Sally, Marie and Marjory planned the meeting. In the photos below Sher Singh is on the left, and Trudy Waldroop is on the right.

Saturday, October 17th was Sierra Mar’s Fall Conference via Zoom. CFBPW immediate Past State President Rosemary Enzer was the State Representative. NFBPWC immediate Past President Sandy Thompson and CFBPW President Lynn Brandstater were also in attendance. There were 24 people in attendance. The morning speaker was Uche Asiodu, who is currently a Clinical Program Manager for Kaiser Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar Clinic. She presented a PowerPoint presentation on “Managing Stress Through COVID-19.”

	Rosemary Enzer, CFBPW immediate Past President and the State Representative for the meeting	Sandy Thompson, NFBPWC immediate Past President
Uche Asiodu, the morning speaker on “Managing Stress During COVID-19”  and a Clinical Program Manager for Kaiser Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar Clinic.	Lynn Brandstater, CFBPW President	Sierra Mar Treasurer Denise Rubin and El Monte BPW Treasurer Lorene Gutierrez
Sher Singh, Bay Capital District Treasurer and Downtown Sacramento Vice President	Manjul Batra, CFBPW Small Business Chair and 2002-03 State President	Sierra Mar Public Policy Chair Sally McMahon

 

Saturday, January 25,2020 was Sierra Mar’s Winter Conference at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2009 S. Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park, CA. Sally McMahon, Marie Clifton and Marjory Hopper were in charge of the program. CFBPW Secretary Maryann Wesson was the State Representative. The first morning speakers were East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW member Stephanie Ruiz and guest Lupe Diaz talking about their experiences walking behind the Rose Parade float celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment where women won the right to vote. The third morning speaker was CFBPW Vice President Sally McMahon talking on the “New Voting Procedures for 2020 in Los Angeles County.” The luncheon speaker was Nan Johnson, who talked about the effort that went into raising the funds for the float celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Johnson is retired Political Science Adjunct Professor at the University of Rochester, NY, co-founder of the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York., the Founding Director of the Susan B. Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership at the University of Rochester and past President of the AAUW (Rochester).

	Stephanie Ruiz, East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW member, walker behind the Rose Parade float and the second morning speaker. Photo by John McCarty.
Dawneen Lorance, a member of the Pasadena Celebrates 2020 Rose Parade Float Committee	Nan Johnson, who had the idea for the Rose Parade float and led the Committee	CFBPW Program/Projects Chair with speaker Nan Johnson
Nan Johnson in front of Rose Parade float	2020 Rose Parade Float celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment	Signs on Rose Parade float

Saturday, June 15,2019 was the June Training Meeting and Dessert Auction, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2009 S. Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park, CA (East Valley was in charge of the program). CFBPW Program/Projects Chair Marjory Hopper was the State Rep. At the start of the meeting State Senator Susan Rubin stopped in to greet the group and express her support and appreciation for all that the volunteer Clubs do to help their communities. The first morning speaker was Veronica Lopez from Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio’s Office. The second morning speaker was Sandra Lopez, Mayor Pro-tem of Rosemead and from State Senator Susan Rubio’s Office. The afternoon program was a discussion of membership recruitment and writing postcards in support of a bill in Congress to have a new series of quarters with the reverse featuring suffragists in each State in commemoration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment where women won the right to vote after an effort of more than 70 years.

	State Rep, CFBPW Program/Projects Chair and Hollywood BPW President MarjoryHopper	First Timer and guest Teresita
First Timer and member of East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW Catherine “Kathy” Wills	State Senator Susan Rubio with East Valley President Sally	Veronica Lopez, staff person of Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio and 1st morning speaker
	Veronica Lopez and Sandra Armenta Lopez

Saturday, May 4, 2019 Annual Conference, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2009 S. Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park, CA (East Los Angeles-Montebello was in charge of the program). CFBPW President-Elect Lynn Brandstater was the State Rep. The morning speaker was filmmaker Ashley Maria talking on the early March meetings of the BPW International Leaders’ Summit and the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women. Ashley Maria was the Young BPW member representing North America and the Caribbean to that meeting. The luncheon speaker was Salma Solis, Young Professional and Director of Operations for the West San Gabriel Boys and Girls Club. The afternoon speaker was Barbara Kappos, Executive Director of the East Los Angeles Women’s Center.

Lynn Brandstater, CFBPW Vice President and State Rep. for the Conference	Ashley Maria, BPW International Young BPW Representative to the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women and the morning speaker	First slide on Ashley Maria’s talk on the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women
Introductory slide about Ashley Maria	The Young BPW members at the United Nations	Ashley Maria at the United Nations
BPW International’s Side Events at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women in March 2019	Ashley Maria showing some of the buttons and pins.	Salma Solis, Sierra Mar District BPW’s Young Professional for 2019 and the Director of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club of the West San Gabriel Valley
Sierra Mar Program/Projects Chair Sally McMahon awarding Salma Solis the plaque for being Sierra Mar BPW District’s Young Professional for 2019	Barbara Kappos, Executive Director of the East Los Angeles Women’s Center and the afternoon speaker for the Conference	Barbara Kappos

Monday, March 25, 2019 Sierra Mar District BPW helps Covina Woman’s Club celebrate their 120th anniversary.

Saturday, January 26, 2019  Joint Conference with Valley Sunset District at Quiet Cannon Montebello, CA. CFBPW State Treasurer Elaine Wakeham was the State Rep. Conference Theme: Empowering Women to be BOLD!

Registration for the Conference	Valley Sunset President Anne Marie presiding at the Joint Conference	Sierra Mar First Timers Chair Helen recognizing First Timer Theresa
1st Morning Speaker: Dr. Emerald Archer from Mt. St. Mary’s University	Valley Sunset Program/Projects Chair Marjory with speaker Dr. Emerald Archer	2nd Morning Speaker: Catherine “Kathy” Wills, retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff
Valley Sunset Program/Projects Chair Marjory with speaker Catherine “Kathy” Wills		Attendees at the Joint Conference

Saturday, October 20, 2018 Fall Conference, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2009 S. Garfield Avenue, Monterey Park, CA (El Monte BPW was in charge of the program).

NFBPWC President and State Rep for the Sierra Mar Fall Conference Sandy Thompson	Sandy and Chair of the Fall Conference Shirley Campbell	Morning Speaker Renee Rose, Deputy-in-Charge of the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Section of the White Collar Crimes Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Morning speaker Renee Rose, who talked on scams involving Senior Citizens	First Timers’ Chair Helen Crisp with First Timer Cherrl-Lou Jacobson from Conejo Valley	Afternoon speaker Sally McMahon, League of Women Voters, doing presentation on the Propositions on the November ballot

Hollywood BPW President Marjory Hopper discussing CFBPW’s Focus Issue “Sexual Harassment and Abuse Against Working Women” with Cherrl-Lou Jacobson of Conejo Valley BPW