Community Corner

Jamie Lee Curtis to Be Keynote Speaker at YWCA Awards

The organization will celebrate its 85th anniversary at the Focus Awards Gala in April.

The YWCA is pulling out all the stops for its 2011 Focus Awards Gala, which will celebrate the organization's 85th anniversary. The city's own Jamie Lee Curtis will be the keynote speaker, Emmy Award-winner Richard Partlow (61*, Battlestar Galactica) will be the MC, and former Telemundo President Nely Galan will be recognized.

In addition to her experience with Telemundo, Galan was also creator and executive producer of "The Swan," a reality-TV show; and was a featured guest on a similar program, "The Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump."

The event will be held on April 7 at 6 p.m. at the . Kesa Kivel, Stacia Rae Robitaille and the RAND Corporation will also be honored; they will receive Focus Awards for their support of the YWCA, which empowers women and girls through leadership opportunities.

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"We are grateful to women leaders and community partners who have not only made our programs what they are today, but also continue to innovate and grow with us," YWCA Executive Director Julia Miele said in a statement. 

"We look forward to a truly memorable event, where we will unveil three new programs that will launch our newly completed strategic plan," added Mary Tower, who is the president of the board of directors.

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At the event, food will be provided by Claud Beltran. Zagat recently rated Noir Food & Wine the Best New Restaurant in Los Angeles.


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