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THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL LIVING LEGACY AWARDS

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Women’s International Center 23rd Annual Living Legacy Awards May 20 2006 Honoring Frida Kahlo, Lynda Carter, Jean Colarusso, Kathi Diamant, Ronne Froman, Bridget Brigitte McDonald, Jenni Prisk, Yolanda Walther-Meade, David Perez, Robert Rector and Claudia DaMetz at USD Campus Joan Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice 6pm, Tickets $150 Contact WIC President Gloria Lane 619-295-6446 egeria@wic.org http://www.wic.org

Press Release:
2006 LIVING LEGACY AWARDS HONOREES

Yes indeed, Women’s International Center presents the 23rd Annual Living Legacy Awards to nine Wondrous Women and two Extraordinary Men. The always memorable and inspiring Living Legacy Awards will take place on May 20th at Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice located on the beautiful University of San Diego Campus. This year we will acknowledge the many positive and enduring contributions of women of Latin Heritage. The 2006 presentations will be dedicated to legendary Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo and to the victims and survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Being honored this year are Frida Kahlo, Lynda Carter, Jean Colarusso, Kathi Diamant, Ronne Froman, Bridget Brigitte McDonald, Jenni Prisk, Yolanda Walther-Meade, David Perez, Robert Rector and Claudia DaMetz.

IN THE BEGINNING
Women’s International Center was founded in 1982 by current President Gloria Lane with the purpose to acknowledge, honor, encourage and educate women. In 1984 WIC began its public recognition of extraordinary women and men with the Living Legacy Awards. Since that time the Living Legacy Award has been presented to over 150 of the world’s most remarkable people. Our educational website wic.org reaches around the world to provide information about giving back to the world and the history of women. On May 20th 2006 the Living Legacy Awards will mark the 23rd consecutive presentation and acknowledgement of remarkable individuals who know the joy and responsibility of making the world a better place for all to share.

2006 CO-CHAIRS AND UNDERWRITER
Sally B. Thornton, Bridget Brigitte McDonald, Ph.D., Marianne McDonald, Ph.D., and Gloria Lane, Ph.D., Founder-President.

2006 LIVING LEGACY AWARDS DEDICATION
FRIDA KAHLO-Renowned artist, who despite a lifetime of excruciating and disabling pain became one of the most successful painters in the world and politically controversial woman in her native Mexico.
HURRICANE KATRINA-Honoring the victims and survivors who suffered immeasurable personal and property loss because of the devastating storm which wiped out the Gulf Coast, however through their courage and Good Samaritan DAVID PEREZ, many have survived and are building new lives.

LIVING LEGACY AWARD HONOREES
LYNDA CARTER- Multi-talented singer, actress, spokesperson and activist for women’s health. Lynda is also known as Wonder Woman and as such she remains one of the world’s great positive role models for millions of young women and girls.
KATHI DIAMANT-Emmy winning on-air television anchor on KPBS, adjunct professor at SDSU College of Arts and Letters, award winning and celebrated writer [Kafka’s Last Love] and a faithful friend to Women’s International Center.
RONNE FROMAN (USN Ret.) - Commanded the 11th Naval District and was Navy Mayor of San Diego. After retirement she held leadership positions with the San Diego Unified School District and the American Red Cross. Currently Froman is Chief of Staff for San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.
BRIDGET BRIGITTE McDONALD, Ph.D. - Musician, singer, songwriter, producer, writer, educator - a Renaissance woman. She has performed worldwide, is President of Bionic Sisters Productions and VP of The Asian American Repertory Theater.
JENNI PRISK International motivational speaker to women, film and theater columnist, television personality and founder of Prisk Communications and the non-profit Voices of Women, which promotes global peace and justice
YOLANDA WALTHER-MEADE is an active philanthropist and community catalyst in both the San Diego and Tijuana communities. Because of her extensive civic involvement, she has been honored by many organizations.

LIVING LEGACY HEROES AWARD
JEAN COLARUSSO is a hero in so many ways. Since 1998, she has dedicated her time and unconditional giving to improving the lives of thousands of African women and children. She gives the people of Nigeria new meaning and hope for the future. (A portion of the 2006 Living Legacy proceeds will go to Friends of the Poor http://www.friendsofthepoor.us)

LIVING LEGACY GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD
DAVID PEREZ has opened his humanitarian heart to fly dozens of Hurricane Katrina survivors to San Diego to safety and security. Since these families arrived, he continues to be personally dedicated to helping them rebuild their lives thru his non-profit charity, 2life18 (A portion of the 2006 Living Legacy Awards proceeds will go to 2life18 http://www.2life18.org)

WIC LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ROBERT W. RECTOR, Ph.D. (CAPT USNR Ret.), will receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award. He and his wife of sixty-two years, MARGARET H. RECTOR, were charter members and generous financial supporters. Robert, now in his 90th year, was an engineering professor at UCLA. Together they supported WIC and many charities. They have enhanced the lives of many.

WIC VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD
CLAUDIA DaMETZ is Basque-Mexican-born artist and graphic designer, disability educator and activist. She is the dedicated Webmaster for WIC http://www.wic.org and also generously volunteers her vast artistic expertise to furthering our mission to honor excellence and women.

Carol Hasson and Jeanne Beach Eigner are the evening’s MCs. Music provided by The Benny Hollman Orchestra, Brazilian vocalist Marta Santos and the SUHSD Montgomery Middle School Mariachis. Auction items provided by Tiffany & Co.

Dress-is Latin or Black Tie

Tickets $150 each, Sponsor Table (8) $1,200, Sponsor Table (10) $1,500.
Executive Sponsor $2,000 or Co-underwriter $10,000

Women’s International Center [501c3] 95 38 06 872. is a non-profit education and service foundation. Tickets may be partially deductible, monetary donations, deductible. Proceeds from 2006 LLA benefit WIC Education and Service Funds, FriendsofthePoor.us and 2Life18.org. WIC: P.O. Box 880736, San Diego, CA 92168-0736

For further information about tickets and event please call Gloria Lane
(619) 295-6446
http://www.wic.org