Honoring the courageous

Elia Powers

Addressing an audience dominated by women, first lady of California

Maria Shriver applauded luncheon attendees Thursday for their

fundraising and philanthropy.

“You are helping women invest in themselves,” Shriver told the

group of about 650 people at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort. “I’ve

always been fascinated by women who have courage.”

Courage was the theme of Shriver’s 30-minute speech given at a

fundraising event for Women of Vision, a 15-year-old Christian

organization that participates in international development and

relief projects -- many of which help women and children in distress.

The event was held to raise money for projects conducted by Women

of Vision and its parent organization, World Vision. The Southern

California chapter, one of 16 nationwide, has about 300 members,

national director Penny Wood said.

Corona del Mar resident Diane Sweet, the event’s co-chairwoman,

said she was hoping to raise $300,000 for relief projects in

countries such as Azerbaijan, Kenya and Peru.

Sweet said when the organization discussed possible keynote

speakers, one woman stepped to the front of the list.

“Because Maria has such a wide appeal and a background in

volunteerism, we thought she would be a wonderful speaker,” Sweet

said. “She can bring an emphasis to what women are doing.”

Shriver, whose volunteer resume includes work with Special

Olympics, said more attention should be paid to women who donate

their time on a regular basis.

“I need to do all I can do to shine the light on women who are

doing work throughout the state,” Shriver said. “It’s my job to find

people who inspire us.”

Shriver listed California women whom she selected to be Women of

the Year. She also pointed to her efforts in creating California’s

first women’s museum, which will be inside the California Museum for

History, Women and the Arts in Sacramento.

Joni Rehnborg, Women of Vision Orange County chairwoman, said

Shriver’s work has motivated members of her organization.

“She is deeply committed to women, children and the family,”

Rehnborg said.

And Shriver urged Women of Vision members to continue donating to

overseas projects and visiting the project sites.

Last fall, six Orange County women -- including three Newport

Beach residents -- traveled to Azerbaijan on a humanitarian mission.

They visited an assortment of public orphanages and private-care

centers that help children with disabilities.

Shriver said she was touched by Women of Vision’s mission and

promotional video, which was shown before her speech. She also

praised the work of Karen French, a founding member of Women of

Vision’s Orange County chapter who died in September.

She said French embodied the selfless spirit of Women of Vision --

one that needs to be replicated by women across the world.

“We have to do everything we can to help those who struggle day in

and day out,” Shriver said. “Because of the work you are doing,

people a continent away know their story is worth hearing.”

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at

elia.powerslatimes.com.

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See Page A3