2002 - Rae Ross Award Winners |
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Dr. Elizabeth Beale is a native Californian who attended elementary and high school in Eagle Rock, then went to Los Angeles City College where she met her future husband James Fonseca. In 1946 she earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from UCLA, and in 1948 her Masters degree. In 1948 she was the first psychologist at Patton State Hospital, outside of San Bernadino, California, advancing to head of the department for three years. Dr. Elizabeth received her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1956, then returned to California to marry James Fonseca, Professor of Language (Spanish, German, French and English). In 1958 Dr. Elizabeth worked as a psychologist at the Hacker Clinic in Beverly Hills. By 1959 she had opened a private practice in Redlands as well as working on staff at U.C. Riverside. By 1960 Dr. Elizabeth had been named to who's Who of American Women and received the Peace Cup from the Los Feliz-Hollywood Chapter of SANE Nuclear Policy Committee, however these awards paled in comparison to the birth of her only child Bonnie, that same year. In 1965 James and Elizabeth moved to Thousand Oaks, and she held a staff position at Camarillo State Hospital for 14 years. Dr. Elizabeth still resides in the same home they first moved in to that first year here and is still an active member of the local Methodist church. By 1972 Elizabeth's interest was piqued with a newspaper article about Zonta and the upcoming first club meeting in the Thousand Oaks area. She was attracted to Zonta because "Zontians strive to support women's issues, and Zonta is involved with the United Nations." Elizabeth attended the charter luncheon for the Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley area, joining the following meeting, and has been a staunch member ever since. Dr. Elizabeth serves as Literature chair for the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Her hobbies include music, reading current novels, and reading about current events. Husband James passed away in December of 1994. Daughter Bonnie is on faculty at the University of Arizona in French Linguistics. In honor of her exemplary life and her 30 years of dedicated membership to the Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley Area, Dr. Elizabeth Beale was presented with the Rae Ross Award on Tuesday, April 16th.
Diane was born and raised in Michigan. Diane's close relationship with her grandparents set the stage for a lifelong interest in the welfare of our Senior population. Degree in Sociology/Psychology at Wayne State University in Michigan gave her the credentials needed to work and help seniors in assisted living homes. Diane quickly advanced from activities director to administrator of Thousand Oaks Residential Care Home. Believing that seniors should be enabled to remain living at home as long as possible, Diane joined the Board of Directors of Senior Concerns, an organization which oversees such programs as Meals on Wheels, Senior Advocates, Bargain Boutique, and Fitzgerald Center. Diane is most proud of the Fitzgerald Center's Alzheimers Day program, the only program of its kind in Ventura County. And now with the expansion of the center nearing completion, the number of memory impaired seniors being helped will double! Diane has accepted the position as Chair of the Board of Senior Concerns. In addition to overseeing this group, Diane was named Administrator of Agoura Hills Senior Retreat-a new senior living facility in Agoura Hills. Other activities Diane is involved in are the Board of Ventura County Alzheimers Association, American Association of University Women, Senior Festival Committee for CRPD, Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley Area, various committees including 2002 Co-chair of Special Kid's Day. Because of her passion for Seniors and the future of our aging population and her commitment to working tirelessly for Senior Concerns and the Zonta club of the Conejo Valley Area, Diane Atkinson is presented with the Rae Ross Award. Newsletter Info: Denise Aiani, Editor- H- (805) 527-7074 E-mail: aianid@vcss.k12.ca.us Articles can be given to the Newsletter Editor by phone or fax or e-mail at or before the meeting each month for inclusion in the club's monthly newsletter. Newsletters are published every month and are distributed on-line, or by U.S. mail upon request. Who was Rae Ross?There are those people who open their hearts to others…Who never think twice about giving of themselves. They are the wonderful, warm-hearted People who make all the difference! Let me tell you a Little bit about the person in whose honor and memory we have named the Rae Ross Award. Raw Ross will always be remembered with a smile! She was a tireless volunteer in all facets of her life. One of her favorites was the Manna food Bank where she was a weekly volunteer for many years. In her career as a Realtor, she volunteered as a member of the Association of Realtors board and was named their Realtor of the Year in 1990. She was a mentor to many entering the Real Estate profession and to women in business. Rae joined our Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley Area in 1980 and it soon became evident that she was a worker! She served on m any committees, on the Board, and was our Club President for two terms- from 1984-1986. Special Kid's Day was a particular Love of Rae's. It was she who convinced Zonta on the idea that our club would be the permanent sponsor and organizers for this wonderful Conejo Valley Days Activity that pairs handicapped children with volunteers from the community for a morning of carnival, rides, games and lunch for all. Of course, Rae took the leadership role and was our chair for the event, coordinating this monumental event for 2 years!. Then she moved up to the Conejo Valley Days Steering committee to chair the Sponsorship Committee. With her unexpected passing in January of 1993, Memorial funds were given to Zonta so that we might do something as a lasting tribute to Rae Ross. The Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley elected to honor Rae's memory by creating this special award, the Rae Ross Award. We look for a woman who possesses many of the same qualities of caring, volunteering, an community service and spirit that Rae Ross had. |
Dr.
Elizabeth Beale
Diane
Atkinson
