AN ASCENDING WOMAN

Accolades to Pamela Meyer Lopker for having the intelligence, education, innovation and single-mindedness to become “the richest self-made woman in America” (“That’s Ms. Horatio Alger to You,” by Lisa Leff, Feb. 16). But “self-made” doesn’t seem right.

Let’s not forget Lopker’s parents as well as the thousands of similar families who provide their children with a stable, religious upbringing and let them live at home while pursuing a college degree. These parents sacrifice four to six irretrievable years, as well as money that well could go toward retirement, while their children attend college.

Our foster homes and jails are filling up with abused and neglected children. Perhaps Lopker, and many more of us, could consider becoming a mentor to some promising student who isn’t fortunate enough to have parents quite as dedicated.

I believe it is a California Teachers Assn. slogan that says that no child succeeds alone. Lopker is an excellent “poster adult” for the teachers’ campaign. A hip-hooray to her mom and dad for a job well done.

Gayle M. Cooper

Santa Monica

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Wasn’t it interesting that an article on Lopker--No. 394 on the Forbes list, founder and president of QAD, head of 650 employees--would have more than half a column devoted to catchy phrases describing her as “a Tuscan beauty who could just as well be walking through a vineyard in a peasant skirt”? Lopker has accomplished so much --surely something more interesting and more important than that could have been said.

Diana Staresinic

Los Angeles

Leff made a point of describing Lopker’s looks and dress, even mentioning that she wears black pantyhose and drives a Lexus. These are not vital facts about a serious businesswoman.

Lee Fischman

Santa Monica