Authority On Juvenile Issues To Speak At Benefit Lunch

It’s an impressive resume: Chief presiding judge of Atlanta’s Fulton County Juvenile Court, Georgia’s first African-American chief presiding judge of a state court, recipient of the NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award, winner of Ebony magazine’s Bronze Woman of the Year Award, recipient of the Emory Medal for outstanding Emory University alumni.

Judge Glenda Hatchett, a nationally recognized authority on juvenile and social issues, has shown unwavering commitment to intervention, prevention and children’s advocacy.

She’s coming to Spokane May 4 to share her message as the keynote speaker for the Women Helping Women Fund benefit luncheon.

“It all comes together at the luncheon,” said Marcy Drummond, president. “The energy of our keynote speaker, the commitment of grant recipient organizations and the dedication of community members will be the catalyst to continue supporting women and children in Spokane.”

Proceeds from the noon luncheon at the Spokane Convention Center will benefit 19 local non-profit organizations (see item below).

According to its literature, Women Helping Women “is dedicated to empowering women and children to create healthy families and vibrant communities.” Since 1993, more than $700,000 has been raised toward accomplishing this mission.

A minimum $100 donation is requested to attend the luncheon. For reservations, call 747-0802.

Women Helping Women beneficiaries

The 1998 grant recipients to benefit from the Women Helping Women Fund were selected for their commitment to women and children with a focus on such issues as child care, education, health care and family support services.

They are: Cancer Patient Care, Career Path Services, Community Health Association of Spokane, Eastern Washington University Foundation, Family Service Spokane, Girl Scouts Inland Empire Council, Gonzaga University’s Campus Kids, Gonzaga University’s Domestic Violence Legal Clinic, Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education’s health services for homeless children, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Spokane, Lifeskills Education Center, Liberty Park Child Development Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, Spokane Community Gardens, Spokane Court Appointed Special Advocate Foundation, Spokane Neighborhood Action Program, Spokane Public School District 81’s Indian education after-school girls group, Transitional Living Center and Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.

Funding amounts will be based on receipts from the May 4 luncheon.

Women’s Leadership Conference

Spokane-area women students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to a one-day conference of education, networking and motivation to embrace the challenge of leadership.

The Women’s Leadership Conference is from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Lair Student Center at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene.

It’s sponsored by the Washington State Commission for the Humanities, Spokane Community College, SCC’s Single Parent Program, Student Activities Council and the SCC chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.

A panel of professional women will share from personal experience how networking can empower career choices. Workshops will explore co-mentoring, business and academic partnerships and sustaining collaborative relationships.

“Women in Changing Societies” will be discussed by Angela Gilliam, an anthropologist at Evergreen State College. The keynote luncheon speaker will tell ways women in developing countries have increased their independence and ability to make decisions about their lives.

Highlight of the conference is the presentation of the Women of Achievement Awards honoring four women recognized as leaders in the areas of student, faculty, business and community.

Registration fees, due Wednesday, are $15; $6 for students. To register, send your name, address, telephone and a check payable to: Spokane Community College, Cashiers Office, MS 2150, 1810 N. Greene, Spokane, WA 99217; or call 533-7030.

Muscular Dystrophy fund-raiser

Through St. Patrick’s Day, colorful shamrock mobiles can be seen at local pubs and eateries, grocery stores and convenient marts to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

For a donation of $1 or $5, you can add your name to a shamrock in support in the fight against neuromuscular disease.

Proceeds from Shamrocks Against Dystrophy will help the local MDA chapter continue its support groups, free comprehensive medical clinics and summer camps for children 6 to 21 years old.

Funds will also be used for research and to buy wheelchairs.

Shamrocks are at Albertsons, Burger King, Yoke’s Pac ‘n Save, Tidyman’s, Wal-Mart, Washington Mutual Bank, Taco Time and Global Federal Credit Union.

Family notes

There are still openings for summer camp at the YMCA’s Camp Reed on Fan Lake. Sessions, June 28 through Aug. 15, offer sports, hiking, crafts and campfires for boys and girls ages 6 to 16.

Camp fees range from $125 for minicamps to $265 for traditional camps. Special sessions include Horse Camp (a week of Western horse riding) and Wilderness Camp (exploration trips to national parks). Camp scholarships are available. For registration information, call 838-3577, ext. 31.

Community events

What have been the accomplishments of the women’s movement and where does it go from here?

Lee Swedberg, chairwoman of Women’s Studies at Eastern Washington University, will explore this topic Saturday in a public forum as part of the American Association of University Women Speaker Series.

“The Millennium Approaches: Our Successes and Challenges in the Women’s Movement” will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the YWCA’s Comstock Room, 829 W. Broadway.

The Speaker Series is sponsoring a variety of lecturers throughout the year to address the approaching millennium. The programs are free, although donations are appreciated. For more information, call 747-4509.

A half century-plus of dance

This afternoon enjoy exuberant young folk dancers during a spaghetti feed luncheon to benefit Silver Spurs International, a youth folk dance organization celebrating 51 years in Spokane.

Festivities will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Sons of Norway Hall, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. The Hillyard Belles band will join the dancers, 10 to 18 years old, who will perform folk dances from around the world.

Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, and $3.50 for children 12 and under.

, DataTimes