Visionary Women’s Luncheon 2018
Thursday, November 8, 2018
The Jeremy | West Hollywood
The third annual Alzheimer’s LA Visionary Women’s Luncheon was held November 8th at The Jeremy in West Hollywood. Over 240 people attended the event, which was emceed by FOX11’s Elex Michaelson who passionately spoke about how the disease affected his grandmother his family.
Through the generosity of sponsors, attendees, and donors, this year’s luncheon has raised nearly $200,000 to help sustain our free local programs and services. A special shout-out goes to Alzheimer’s LA Board member, Susan Lord, for being the title sponsor; and to Harold Foonberg, for graciously stepping up (for the third time!) to be our challenge match donor. This year, Hal’s challenge of $25,000 put the crowd into a giving frenzy!
New to the luncheon this year was a panel discussion moderated by Board member Val Zavala, formerly of KCET. The panel featured the Connie Keiter Breaking Boundaries Award honorees Braden Bishop and Susan & Bruce Levin, as well as Caring Hearts Award honorees Rosa Meza and Sonya Rhodes. The honorees spoke openly about how Alzheimer’s has impacted their families and why they decided to help others by partnering with Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.
The program was preceded by shopping at a holiday boutique where all the vendors donated 25% of their proceeds. Guests also created cherished memories with a photo booth provided by LA Photo Party
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day a huge success. Be on the lookout for news of next year’s luncheon!
2018 Visionary Women’s Luncheon Planning Committee
Camille Brown, Co-Chair
Tracey Paulk, Co-Chair
Elizabeth Cantz
Jodi Cohn
Beth Devermont
Madison Gillette
Erin Glennon
Catherine Jonas
Randi Jones
Connie Keiter
Barbara Kingston
Susie Levin
Karen Liberman
Elizabeth MacKay
Sharron L. Mee, MD, FACS
Andrea Norcross
Sarah Ordover
Portia Pio de Roda
Linda Thieben
2018 Caring Hearts Awardees
Sonya Rhodes
Sonya is among a growing number of young caregivers. She’s 34 years old and the primary caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011. She has put her life on hold to ensure her father is well cared for every single day.
Sonya has sacrificed her own social life and career to be her father’s sole caregiver. She has learned to cope with many difficult challenges, such as agitation and incontinence, and has continued to smile through the trials and tribulations of life.
Recently, Sonya was selected to be interviewed for the Today Show to bring awareness about millennial caregivers but had to cancel at the last minute due to her father’s sudden hospitalization. Unfortunately, he was hospitalized for more than a month. Since returning home, her father has required even more extensive care.
Sonya is an inspiration to those young and old. It is for these reasons she is being recognized with the Caring Hearts Award at our upcoming Visionary Women’s Award Luncheon on November 8th.
Rosa Meza
Rosa cared for her mother for many years when all her other siblings would not provide any assistance. She always treated her mother with the utmost respect and ensured she had a voice when no one else had the patience. Rosa utilized different ways to handle her mother’s behaviors and ensured her mother felt loved to the end of her days.
She truly is an inspiration. Although her mother has passed, Rosa continues to participate in our support group, ensuring other caregivers have tools to help them through their journey. She is a champion for Alzheimer’s LA and ensures that the Latino community is aware of our services. Rosa has met with public officials to advocate for more money and services for caregivers and Alzheimer’s disease.
Rosa goes above and beyond for fellow caregivers. She offers rides to groups and events to those who don’t drive, as well as gives small trinkets to caregivers to make them smile. She is selfless in her drive to help others in her community, which is why she is being honored with the Caring Hearts Award on November 8th.
SPONSORS
