"Honoring individuals and organizations educating, enriching and protecting children"

Marti Emerald, Dr. Alice B. Hayes and Sally Thornton lead the celebration honoring humanitarians

Film star Jane Withers participated.

The 1999 Living Legacy Awards presented by Women's International Center Foundation to acknowledge, honor and encourage individuals and organizations helping and protecting children. The gala 16th annual celebration honored humanitarianism and philanthropy was held at University of San Diego's Hahn University Center.

Channel 10's popular investigative reporter, Marti Emerald, was Executive Producer and MC of the multi-media program. University of San Diego president, Alice B. Hayes, Ph.D. was Honorary Chairwoman of the 1999 Living Legacy Awards. Entrepreneur, writer and philanthropist, Sally Bullard Thornton, was Chairwoman of this year's presentations and banquet. Marti Emerald also received an Award this year for her "trouble-shooting work for children and adults. Alice Hayes and Sally Thornton received the Living Legacy Award in 1997 and 1990, respectively.

Individuals being acknowledged at the 1999 ceremony for their humane contributions to and on behalf of children were 1994 National Teacher of the Year, Sandra McBrayer and City Attorney for San Diego, Casey Gwinn. Marti Emerald, Investigative Reporter,"Troubleshooter" KGTV Channel 10. Donna Crean, businesswoman, humanitarian and philanthropist, received the 1999 Living Legacy Award from good friend Jane Withers.

Organizations receiving 1999 Living Legacy Awards were:
The Child Abuse Prevention Foundation-Bill Finley, Director
Polinsky Children's Center-John Robbins, Director
Voices for Children-Sharon Lawrence, Executive Director
St. Clare's Home for Women and Children-Sr. Claire Frawley, Founder-Director
The Manchester Family Child Development Center-Doug Manchester, Benefactor
Very Important Preschooler's Village-Katy Roberson, Director
Parents and Adolescents Recovering Together Successfully-Alan Sorkin, Director
WorldLink-Dee Aker, Ph.D., Founder-Director, Shelia Marie Davis, Benefactor
The McGill Center for Creative Problem Solving- James M. Cooper, Exec.Director
Books for the Barrios-Nancy and Dan Harrington, Founders-Directors
Philip Foundation (Moscow, Russia)-Elena Azarnikova, Founder, Director
Icarus Puppet Company-Rosemary Tyrrell and Mark Robertson, Founders-Puppeteer
Lions Clubs International (San Diego Chapter)-Jim Kelly, President, Jo Hunter King, Ph.D., Lion leader.
Rotary International (Rancho Bernardo Chapter)-Jim Reading, President
KGTV's Children's 10Mobile and Kidline-Marti Emerald

These are but a few exceptional organizations working for children and their rights.

Proceeds from the 1999 Living Legacy Awards go toward Women's International Scholarship and Sistership Funds. Two $500 scholarships were presented at the ceremonies: 1) The Mary Vaughn Scholarship for the Health and Wellness of the Aging, will be presented to a student who plans to pursue a career in geriatric care. Mary, a retired nursing home owner is WIC'S Secretary-Treasurer. 2) The Lionheart International Scholarship was presented to an individual exhibiting great courage, compassion and integrity. This new scholarship is established by strategic alliance consultant Kimberly King, who is WIC's International Development Director, and Brent Bisson, Group Vice President, American Express Financial Advisor.

Benefactor awards—BENNY AWARD—were presented to John M. and Sally B. Thornton Foundation; Dr. Seuss Fund, Marianne McDonald, Ph.D., Patti Page, Robert and Margaret Rector, Mary Vaughn, Kazem and Janice Abbasov, Richard Goldman (Goldman Environmental Fund) and MGEN Lillian Dunlap, USA (Ret.)

Jim Francis, Bureau of Land Management, will once again provide tree seedlings were given to children and elementary schools for planting, in support of WIC's environment program, Operation Greentrees. This is the ninth year the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has supplied trees to Women's International Center.

Volunteer of the Year, David Tomlinson of Creative Fusion, is a graphics artist who donated his time and talent in the creation of many of WIC's printed items. His pen created the designs for the 1999 Living Legacy Awards invitations and souvenir program

For more information contact Gloria Lane at Women's International Center at (619) 295-6446 or fax at (619) 296-1633. For information on former Living Legacy Award recipients (and more), click here.