The community is invited to honor and celebrate three of Sonoma Valley’s most outstanding women – Kathy Benziger, Susan Chew, and Tina Wolfenden – when the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation holds its fourth annual “Celebration of Women” luncheon on Friday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sonoma Golf Club.
The women are this year’s Pulse Award honorees and will be recognized for their dedication, commitment and leadership through their volunteerism, community involvement and philanthropy.
Honoree Tina Wolfenden spoke on behalf of all three recipients, saying, “We are truly humbled. There are so many women in our community who are worthy that we accept the award with humility.”
Wolfenden has been the treasurer of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation for the past 22 years, a Magic of Christmas chair for 25 years and, most recently was asked to join the finance committee to the hospital.
“I was on the development of the Pulse Award and as such, am usually on the choosing end, picking women who are role models in our community,” said Wolfenden. “To be on the receiving end feels very different and I am honored.”
Additionally, internationally recognized maternity care consultant and author Celeste Phillips, RN, EdD, will be on hand to speak about women’s health and family-centered birthing centers. Dr. Phillips has worked with over 700 hospitals in 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association for Women’s Health. She has received the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year award three times.
The Celebration of Women luncheon includes a MacArthur Place overnight-plus-spa-treatment raffle prize drawing, and proceeds of the luncheon event will benefit the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation in its support for the hospital and its many departments and programs, including the Carolyn J. Stone Center for Women’s Health & Wellness. Expansion for women’s services includes an upgrade to the birthing center and dedicated patient-centered care, as well as possible plans to recruit a female OB/GYN physician to the women’s center.
For reservations to Celebration of Women, please call the SVH Foundation at 707.935.5070 or e-mail Mary Caletges at caletgesm@svh.com. Tickets are $100 per person.
