Legacy Awards rains tears, giggles

Joyce Rudolph

Between tears and giggles, four women were honored by the YWCA for

their displays of heart and excellence to community endeavors

Wednesday at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club.

“They have been role models for the rest of us and have left a

true legacy of giving,” said Susan Hunt, YWCA board president, in her

welcome to the 200 guests attending.

Georgia M. Abelmann was saluted for serving on boards of Glendale

Adventist Medical Center and the Salvation Army, and as past

president for the Oakmont League of Glendale and Episcopal Church

Women’s Guild.

“How do I become so involved? A turtle does not move until he

sticks his neck out,” she quipped, prompting laughs from the

audience.

Lina M. Harper was overwhelmed to be included among the list of

honorees and said she volunteers because it makes her feel good. She

thanked her husband for supporting her non-income-producing

activities and her son for starting her in a volunteer career as a

den mother for his Boy Scout troop and team mother for his Little

League and soccer teams.

Glady I. Kabateck has volunteered for 14 years as a counselor for

the Glendale YWCA’s Domestic Violence Project and the Step Ahead

Program, helping women develop skills through college courses to

become independent.

“I’m so honored to be categorized with these outstanding women...”

her sentence stopped as she was overcome by tears.

“Recognition is the greatest motivator,” she said. “I will

continue to assist others to the best of my ability.”

Sonia Bedrossian Peltekian volunteers for the United Armenia Fund,

the American Red Cross, and served as president and vice president of

the Armenian Relief Society, Western Region “Mayr” Chapter in Los

Angeles.

“Volunteer work gives me strength to get up in the morning and

makes me think about helping others instead of my pain,” she said.

Diana Diaz was presented the Jane O’Connor Community Service

Volunteer Award.

KCBS 2 news anchor Ann Martin told the audience about her family

members who have been an inspiration throughout her life, and

reminded them how important it is to set a good example, because

someone is always watching you.

Proceeds from the event support the YWCA’s Domestic Violence

Project and Encore Plus Program, providing low-cost breast and

cervical screenings.