Shriver’s theme of courage nets $300,000

B.W. COOK

“How lucky we are to live in this great country,” California first

lady Maria Shriver said, addressing an overflow crowd at the Balboa

Bay Club & Resort.

Six hundred fifty guests came to Newport Beach for lunch with the

charismatic woman, who stands with her husband, Gov. Arnold

Schwarzenegger, as California’s first couple.

Shriver arrived in Newport in support of Women of Vision. The

organization is an auxiliary of World Vision, a Christian missionary

organization that provides relief to the impoverished around the

world.

“Three out of four people living in poverty are women,” said

Shriver, who attended with her distinguished mother Eunice Kennedy

Shriver, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy.

Shriver shared with the crowd that her mother had come to

California from her East Coast home for a family wedding and joined

her at the last minute for the Women of Vision luncheon.

“I won’t have a seat,” said Eunice Shriver to her daughter as they

got into the car traveling from the Pacific Palisades to Newport.

“Mother, they’ll find a seat for you, don’t worry,” Maria Shriver

replied.

A wave of appreciative laughter rounded the ballroom as Shriver

repeated the comment.

“I’m proud to be here today to support all of you who work for an

organization that is basic and simple, yet succeeds in producing life

altering goals,” the state’s first lady said.

Shriver had come at the invitation of influential Newport resident

Gary Hunt. Becky Pollock and Diane Sweet chaired the event.

Pollock and Sweet were joined by Joni Rehnborg -- the Orange

County chairwoman of Women of Vision -- and a committee of dedicated

ladies, including Beverly Peters of Bayshores, Susan Champion of

Newport Beach, Nancy Daley of Emerald Bay, Gay Santos, Jill Hall, Ann

Odlum, Mary Amundson, Nancy Short, Lauren May, Jean Wenke, Jan

Taylor, Rhoda Stanley and Suzanne and Kristen Paulson.

“As first lady of California, I must shed a light on women,” Maria

Shriver said. “The frontline of women’s work in the field of charity

is not picked up by the media. We must do what we can to help others,

and that is what all of you do that have come here today.”

The theme of Shriver’s address came down to one powerful word --

courage.

“Courage is the one quality we need in life,” she said.

She told her audience to “smash the mirrors that block your view!”

Shriver, who grew up in a very involved and political household,

recalled some of the memories of her own childhood, as she glanced at

her mother and the full house.

“I remember coming home from school one day to find Mother Teresa

in our home,” Shriver recalled. “My response at the time was, ‘What

is that nun doing in our living room?’”

In another candid memory of childhood, Shriver talked about

visiting Israel and meeting with then-prime minister Golda Meir.

Shriver said she was about 12, and all she could think of was

wondering why Meir was dressed in such unattractive clothes.

Again the audience laughed at Shriver’s candor, as they identified

with the woman who has come a long way from a privileged youth

infused with ideals of service.

Finally, the state’s first lady admitted that her own daughter had

recently admonished her, telling her she’s afraid to bring her

friends home because her mother demands to know what they’re

studying, what organizations they belong to, what they do to help

others less fortunate and if they’re involved in school politics.

Shriver’s daughter told her, “Mom, we just want to go shopping.”

So, life and the world has come full circle for the woman whose

mother founded Special Olympics and whose uncle created the Peace

Corps.

As a dedicated Catholic, Shriver joined those who “have been

touched by Christ’s love” and have committed their energy to the

mission of World Vision.

Presently, World Vision sponsors projects in the United States and

18 other countries. During the last decade and a half, Women of

Vision has raised $10 million in support of World Vision’s work in

those countries and others.

The crowd came together over a meal of grilled chicken breast

salad to hear Shriver’s inspirational reach and humor.

Spotted in the crowd were Joan Irvine Smith, Arden Flamson, Joan

Sammis, Hyla Bertea, Melinda Moiso, Julia Argyros, Anne Badham, Patty

Edwards and Twyla Reed Martin.

Also supporting Women of Vision were Betsy Tarbell, Marilyn

McIntyre, Trish O’Donnell, Rusty Turner, Cristan Reilly, Jan Vitti

Rubel, Tony French, Lynn Booth, Joyce Snyder, Mary Lynn and Renae

Ashwill.

Special kudos went to auction chairs Susan Anderson, Lori

Gioffredi and Lauri Facey.

By the close of business, more than $300,000 was raised for

projects in countries worldwide and for local efforts right at home

in Costa Mesa. The entire effort was dedicated to the memory of the

late Karen French, a former Women of Vision leader.

Shriver closed the program by reciting an emotional poem by Maya

Angelou and then told the audience: “Astonish a mean world with your

own acts of kindness.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.