SAVE THE DATE: WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
2024 WISPPA Cocktail Party
WISPPA Party Celebrates Organization’s Advocacy
June 26, 2024
WISPPA Party Celebrates Organization’s Advocacy
June 26, 2024
By Eric Licas The South Pasadena Review
Local lawmakers last week mingled with community members at an annual cocktail party promoting the efforts of the nonprofit Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Advocacy and celebrating its 14 years of helping keep residents informed and involved.
All five members of the City Council, outgoing Fire Chief Paul Riddle and city staff shared toasts and ideas with members of the organization as well as elected officials representing nearby communities on June 26. The latter included Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez and other public servants from neighboring cities.
The evening’s menu was light, and a fitting compliment to the gathering’s relaxed, semi-formal tone. Guests helped themselves to plates of chicken enchiladas, rice and grilled veggies self-served from chafing dishes. They either stood to cheers and chat at tall bar tables or sat alongside lily pad-filled fountains. Later, as the sun set, music by bass and dual guitar trio Wine and Song, acoustic singer-songwriter Robbie Hecht and other artists bathed the lawn of Mary Urquhart’s home.
Urquhart, the longtime host of WISPPA’s cocktail party and one of the organizations founding members, joined Barger in addressing the evening’s attendees. Barger said the work of groups like WISPPA opened pathways for women in politics that didn’t exist before, resulting in elected bodies made up of members who more fairly represent their constituents. She described WISPPA as a grassroots organization, one of many she turns to in order to monitor the pulse of the people she represents. The supervisor said their input often guides the decisions she makes at the county level.
2023 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
An evening filled with good conversation, music, food and fond remberences of South Pasadena
in past years in the beautiful garden of Mary Uquhart.
in past years in the beautiful garden of Mary Uquhart.
WISPPA President, Mary Urquhart and South Pasadena City Manager, Arminé Chaparyan.
June 15, 2023
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2022 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
The WISPPA community was very happy to once again get together at the WISPPA cocktail party at the home of Mary Urquhart after the pandemic hiatus. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was the featured guest speaker.
The WISPPA community was very happy to once again get together at the WISPPA cocktail party at the home of Mary Urquhart after the pandemic hiatus. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was the featured guest speaker.
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Supervisor Kathryn Barger and WISPPA President Mary Uquhart
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2019 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
WISPPA welcomed Tournament of Roses President and South Pasadena resident Laura Farber with her message of the ‘Power of Hope’ at our annual cocktail party at the home of WISPPA member Lisa Roa and Dr. Joseph Chen.
We thank all those who helped make this party such a success.
A special thank you to Lisa Roa and to all who contributed flowers, food, drinks and volunteered time to check in guests, bar tend, set up & last but not least, clean up. We couldn't do this without the help of our wonderful members (& their family members)!
Thank you to our 1st Corporate Sponsor - Ludlow Lane and Ellen's Silkscreening
A special thank you to Lisa Roa and to all who contributed flowers, food, drinks and volunteered time to check in guests, bar tend, set up & last but not least, clean up. We couldn't do this without the help of our wonderful members (& their family members)!
Thank you to our 1st Corporate Sponsor - Ludlow Lane and Ellen's Silkscreening
Photographs courtesy of Mary-Linn Hughes
2018 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
WISPPA once again held it's annual cocktail party at the beautiful home of WISPPA Founder Mary Urquhart
and husband Bill on perfect early summer evening on Monday, June 18.
We were very honored to have as our keynote speaker the
South Pasadena City Manager, Stephanie DeWolfe
and husband Bill on perfect early summer evening on Monday, June 18.
We were very honored to have as our keynote speaker the
South Pasadena City Manager, Stephanie DeWolfe
WISPPA President, Bianca Richards and South Pasadena City Manager, Stephanie DeWolfe (right)
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2017 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
WISPPA held it's annual cocktail party at the home of WISPPA Founder Mary Urquhart and husband Bill on June 19, 2017.
Our fabulous keynote speaker was Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger .
Our fabulous keynote speaker was Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger .
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Bill Urquhart, Supervisor Barger, Bianca Richards, & Mary Urquhart.
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Supervisor Barger
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WISPPA was presented with a certificate from Assemblyman Chris Holden. (Faith Lee presented the honor to Bianca Richards)
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Special Guest, Congresswoman Judy Chu
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"A SIMPLE MATTER OF JUSTICE" (8-24-16)
WISPPA, NWPS, YWCA and the AAUW co-sponsored the showing of this documentary to commemorate Women's Equality Day on August 26th, the anniversary date of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. The film was produced by Pasadena resident Ann Hassett documenting the first ERA convention in Houston in 1977. It's narrated by Jean Stapleton and includes interviews with many of the early feminists such as Bella Abzug, Roslyn Carter, Shirley Chisholm, and more.
WISPPA, NWPS, YWCA and the AAUW co-sponsored the showing of this documentary to commemorate Women's Equality Day on August 26th, the anniversary date of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. The film was produced by Pasadena resident Ann Hassett documenting the first ERA convention in Houston in 1977. It's narrated by Jean Stapleton and includes interviews with many of the early feminists such as Bella Abzug, Roslyn Carter, Shirley Chisholm, and more.
2016 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY - "SHAKE IT UP"
WISPPA held it's annual cocktail party at the home of WISPPA President Janet Braun on June 20, 2016. Our keynote speaker was world famous Dr. Lucy Jones, Seismologist. Sue Kaplan was honored as the 2016 WISPPA Outstanding Woman of the Year. In spite of the 108 degree weather, over 100 WISPPA members, guests and community leaders enjoyed the food, drinks, and the excellent, interesting speech by Dr. Jones.
Dr. Lucy Jones, Keynote Speaker
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As one attendee said, " the sweltering heat seemed to be absorbed by the foliage and lush greenery of Janet's yard". Another said that Dr. Lucy Jones "was so fascinating, it made us completely forget about the heat".
Thank you to everyone who donated time, food, drinks, flowers, raffle prizes and money to make this possible. WISPPA is once again very grateful to Janet Braun and family for their wonderful hospitality. |
WISPPA Founder Barbara Sinclair & Dr. Lucy Jones
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Sue Kaplan was honored by both Congresswoman Judy Chu (picture at left) and by WISPPA President Janet Braun along with Fire Chief Mario Rueda & Deputy Chief Paul Riddle for being the driving force behind the South Pasadena CERT program. (picture at right)
Sue has volunteered countless hours to make this program a reality in our city.
Sue has volunteered countless hours to make this program a reality in our city.
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2015 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
Our keynote speaker was Dr. Laura Skandera Trombley, the new president of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Over 130 WISPPA members, guests, and community leaders attended the cocktail party at the home of Janet Braun.
Clara Richards was honored as Outstanding South Pasadena Woman of the Year.
Clara, a mother of nine children, became the sole owner of the first retail business on Mission Street, Family Fair, which became an institution in South Pasadena. |
WISPPA is very grateful to Janet Braun and family for their wonderful hospitality.
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2014 WISPPA COCKTAIL PARTY
 Cynthia J. Kurtz
Our guest Speaker, Cynthia J. Kurtz, President and Chief Executive officer of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, spoke about identifying the challenges we face for appropriate economic development here in South Pasadena and economic issues concerning women today. Over 100 WISPPA members, guests, and community leaders attended the cocktail party at the home of Bill and Mary Urquhart. WISPPA is very grateful to the Urquharts once again for their graciousness and help.
(June 30, 2014) Click here to see the South Pasadena Economic Profile that was the basis for Cynthia Kurtz's talk. |
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2013 WISPPA Cocktail Party
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State Senator Carol Liu (D-25th Dist.) was our honored guest who gave us the inside scoop on state politics and important issues. Many thanks to Mary & Bill Urquhart for graciously allowing WISPPA to hold the event once again in their lovely garden and Pavilion.
(July 16, 2013) |
2012 WISPPA Cocktail Party
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