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March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the great contributions women have made to our nation.
In our community, San Diego’s list of influential women is ever-growing and includes notable names like Joan Kroc, Ellen Scripps, Katherine Sessions and Belle Benchley, among others.
San Diego women today carry out the legacies of the females who came before them through activism, public service and philanthropy. In fact, several philanthropists at The San Diego Foundation are women who have made an impact in the region in their own right.
Check out the list of women at The Foundation who are helping to grow a vibrant San Diego region now and for future generations.
Dr. Alicia Gwynn, wife of the late Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn, and her family have been making an impact in the San Diego community for years.
Alicia Gwynn, local businesswoman and wife of the late Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn, has made a major impact in the community for San Diego youth.
Escondido Charitable Foundation members Nicholas and Ruth Tsoulos (left) pose with Lisa and Jim Ruder (right) at a recent ECF event.
Lisa Ruder shares the personal and philanthropic benefits of being a Regional Affiliate member and describes how the Escondido Charitable Foundation strengthens the community.
(Left to right) Mich Haggar, Janie DeCelles and Ted Chan share a moment during The San Diego Foundation Annual Meeting in 2015.
Janie DeCelles’ close relationship with her aunt, Hattie Ettinger, inspired Janie’s passion for the environment and for giving back to her community.
As one of the last surviving descendants of the Satsuma Samurai, Masako Kimura Streling’s success and life path is an outlier even in her own family history.
Oceanside’s Masako Kimura Streling overcame childhood hardships in Japan and lives out the Samurai Bushido code in her efforts to give back to her community.
(Left to right) Educators Chris Villalobos, Liz Castagnera, Jennifer Hunt and Rita Krupp help families ensure that learning and communication continues long after special education students leave high school.
Jennifer Hunt’s passion for education and impactful ideas drove her to ensure San Diego’s classrooms provided the best learning environment for special needs students.
As former Mayor of Chula Vista, Cheryl Cox (left) spent years working alongside business and community leaders to support the needs of the diverse community.
Former Mayor of Chula Vista Cheryl Cox’s collaborative approach and commitment to community building embodies the value of collective giving.
Karen McElliott (left) and Maureen O’Connor have been at the forefront of San Diego Project Heart Beat, helping to save 164 lives with AEDs in the region.
The sudden death of Karen McElliott’s husband from cardiac arrest helped lead to the creation of San Diego Project Heart Beat and save the lives of San Diegans region-wide.
Debbie Kurth (right) poses with Trudy Armstrong (left) and Dr. Constance Carrol, Ph.D. at a Regional Affiliate event.
From Volunteer of the Year for the Rancho Bernardo Business Association to Honorary Mayor of the community of Rancho Bernardo, Debbie Kurth’s many accolades speak volumes.
Who are your favorite women in history?
Let us know in the comments below!
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
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