Undersecretary to Talk at Alma Mater

Usually, Marlborough School for girls reaches to the outside for its graduation speakers. But it has one of its own graduates at commencement exercises June 5. Donna Frame Tuttle, Class of 1965, and the undersecretary of commerce for travel and tourism, will address the white-gowned group of 86.

It’s Marlborough’s 97th graduation.

The speaker’s husband, Robert H. Tuttle, director of presidential personnel for the White House, is expected to come from Washington to attend, and her daughters Tiffany and Alexandra. More in the audience will be her mother, Mrs. William Simpson; her father Lester Frame; and her sisters, Diane (Mrs. Patrick) Colee, class of 1963; Debby (Mrs. J. Eric) Degooyer, class of 1967; Bob’s parents, the Holmes Tuttles of Santa Barbara, and her sister-in-law, Sally (Mrs. Joseph) Keon, class of 1953.

Each of the YWCA’s Wonder Women saluted at the annual Leader Luncheon lauding leadership had something to say about success and goals this week. And they said it before more than 1,596 at the Westin Bonaventure.

Receiving the YWCA’s top Los Angeles Athena Award, Judith Harris Murphy was honored as “the civic goddess wise in the ways of peace,” just like Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and patron of the arts. Explaining her goal to reduce teen-age pregnancies through Planned Parenthood, Mrs. Murphy said, “One of the greatest satisfactions in life is in being of service.”

Others honored were Childrens Hospital chief executive officer Jane Hurd, who said “Achievements are hard won.” Fatburger president Lovie Yancey: “Don’t take no for an answer.” Advertising executive Adrienne A. Hall: “ . . . women can hit the top . . . the only criteria will be confidence.” Architectural artist Dora De Larios: “I love breathing.” Southern California Edison power plant manager Georgia Ricci Nelson: “The person to salute is the boss who had the courage to open that job to a woman.” Attorney Shirley Hufstedler, former U.S. secretary of education: “There is talent in every single human being.” Dr. Judith Ann Pachciarz, deaf pathologist: “Do not be afraid to fail.” Helen Harris, founder/president, Retinitis Pigmentosa International: “ . . . this disease is going to turn around in our lifetime.” Olympic Gold Medalist Cheryl Miller: “The first priority is to have fun.” And actress Beulah Quo: “My family life is rooted in the YWCA. . . . My mother-in-law was president of the YWCA in Shanghai in the 1930s.”

The Westridge Board of Trustees in Pasadena has named Midge Bowman, a Yale music history graduate, as its new headmistress. She will replace Nancy Hughes Owen, retiring July 1 after nine years at Westridge’s helm.

The Music Center Opera League, preparing for its inaugural Los Angeles Music Center opera season, hosts a tea Saturday in the El Dorado Room of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to honor tenor Neil Wilson.

John and Jeanine Cushman, Paddy and Hugh Grant, Merlin and Susan Olsen and Marcia and Stephen Cannell were among those kicking up their heels and having a special time at the Pasadena Showcase of Design Preview party at Rosemont Pavilion. It was a full night, seeing the Mediterranean-style house, now open to the public at 1125 Rosalind Road in San Marino until May 18. More in on the fun were Linda Cantwell, Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee president, and her husband, Dr. Howard; Showcase chairman Cindy McNeish and Stanley, Affiliates president Mary Anne Chappelear and Edward, and a crowd including Nancy and Sidney Peterson.