FWC CENTENNIAL Closing FEST, March 19th 2019

To close the Centennial Celebration of the UCLA's Faculty Women's Club, founded in mid March od 1918, we will gather to honor our organization, to celebrate Women's History Month, and to learn about the iconic Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000). Professor Danijela Cabric of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UCLA will illuminate on Lamarr's passion for scientific discovery in secure communication systems.

Our story begins with a teachers' training program, founded in 1862 as the California State Normal School in San Francisco. In 1881 a southern branch was added--the Los Angeles State Normal School (LASNS), which eventually moved to a site on Vermont Avenue. In 1887, LASNS became independent of the parent school under the leadership of Dr. E. C. Moore. Desiring to transform the 2-year college into a 4-year institution that would be part of the University of California (UC), Dr. Moore met with Southern California Regent E.A. Dickson to discuss putting in place a plan that let to the founding of today's UCLA.

LASNS Prof. Mary Burney Porter led the advocacy for the transformation which she felt would support equal opportunities for all. On March 15, 1918, she and about 45 faculty members created the Faculty Women's Club of LASNS for the purpose to place a measure for a 4-year school before the Women's Legislative Council of California. It represented about 80,000 women voters "interested in the welfare of women and children." Prof. Burney became president of the Club.

Promoting good fellowship among the faculty, their spouses, and the entire UCLA community, through educational and social activities and to assist UCLA students through a scholarship program remains the three-pronged mission we honor today.

THE CENTENNIAL CAKE
Debby Wagger, Joyce Glantz, Michaelyn Duboff, Sunny Harris, Jarka Wilcox,
Zorana Ercegovac (Program Chair), Danijela Cabric (keynote speaker)
Geraldine Walter (FWC president), Heidi Crooks, Virginia Shabaik, Bette Billet

At our Centennial closingFest on March 19th, we had a highest attendance ever, celebrated with bubblies, delicious chantilly triple berry cake, greetings from Carole Goldberg, and Julie Sina. They all praised the healthy longevity and the significance of the UCLA's Faculty Women's Club.

Carole Goldberg reminds us that while one hundred years (for UCLA) is indeed a long time, it is not compared with founding of other major higher education institutions.

Zorana Ercegovac, left, Centennial co-chair, introduces the keynote speaker Professor Danijela Cabric.

The banner at the podium reads:
UCLA FWC The Second Century.

Prof. Danijela Cabric:
"A CLOSER LOOK AT WOMEN IN ENGINEERING:
THE Hedy Lamarr STORY"

The Centennial Gala had more than 80 attendees, and many arrived to listen to the keynote presentation and sample a delicious triple berry birthday cake. I will keep adding photos, but here's for the start:

Glorya Dixon enjoys the Centennial event, along with our FWC members:

Roma King (red top)
Simone King
Helen Nefkens
Penny Hutchinson
Helene Des Ruisseaux

If I have missed to name you, please let me know your name(s), THANKS!

From left: Sandy Spolsky, Marianne Afifi, Kate Geller

Jo Knopoff reminded me to make photos of the attendees, yet another of my
Centennial Gala responsibilities
from left: Jo Knopoff, Penny Hutchinson, Pat Moore, Roma, and Simone