City eNews Release: Thursday, Ferbuary 25, 2010 (Supplemental)
Women honored as Contra Costa County leaders
By Hannah Dreier
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 02/22/2010 01:32:32 PM PST
Updated: 02/22/2010 01:32:33 PM PST
In the early 1970s, Nancy Parent was among a small group of lawyers who worked to make it easier for victims of sexual assault to testify against their assailants. As she went about her work, she said, "you could hear these young women whispering, 'She's the one who talks about rape.'"
During this time, Parent also worked with groups such as the Business and Professional Women's Foundation to ensure that women were allowed into the same restaurants and bars as men, and that they were not excluded from office functions.
She was elected to the Pittsburg school board in 1978 and became the city's first female City Council member in 1984. She has been a fixture in Pittsburg politics ever since, and currently sits on the council.
"People believed women are in charge of children, and that's OK, but not 'real business,' " she recalled.
Parent will be honored along with three other local leaders next month at the 10th biannual Women's Hall of Fame dinner sponsored by the Contra Costa Commission for Women.
The other 2010 winners are Ruth Bancroft, founder of a large, private garden in Walnut Creek; Rona Renner, a talk-show host from Berkeley who has long taught parenting skills in Contra Costa County; and Claudia Nemir, a civic arts leader from Alamo. More than 65 women have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame since its founding in 1998.
This year, Channel 5 news anchor Ann Notarangelo will host the event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord. White-gloved ushers will escort guests to their tables as a local choir performs.
The dinner, which coincides with women's history month, is the commission's sole source of funding.
"This is a time to celebrate these women who have given back to our community, and to showcase examples of what can be accomplished by women," commission co-chair Carlyn Obringer said.
The commission accepts nominations for the Hall of Fame in the fall, and a panel of four judges from other Bay Area counties chooses the winners.
Each inductee comes with a story behind her years of service. Bancroft, nominated in the Women Preserving the Environment category, began tending a few succulents in the 1950s. Today, her collection of water-conserving plants has grown into a beautiful three-acre garden.
Until recently, the centenarian could be seen nearly every morning pruning and weeding the plants.
Bancroft believes that women share the burden of conservation with men.
"We all play an equal role in preserving the beauty of the environment," she said.
Berkeley nurse Renner, honored in the Women Creating Community category, has devoted her life to helping parents nurture their children.
"Women are caretakers — we do it all, but often we don't get the support we need." she said.
Renner taught parenting classes at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Richmond for 14 years and founded the nonprofit radio show Childhood Matters, which is broadcast as far away as England and can be heard between 7 and 8 a.m. on Sundays throughout the Bay Area on 98.1 KISS FM.
Renner is motivated by her experience growing up in poverty, but she believes that child-rearing is a universal issue.
"Parenting is the golden thread that goes through all economic statuses," she said.
The final inductee is fifth-generation Walnut Creek native Claudia Nemir, who will be honored in the category of Women Contributing to the Arts.
Since retiring as a bank manager in 1994, Nemir has been active in the local arts community, serving on the boards of nonprofit groups such as the Diablo Theater Company and the Eugene O'Neill foundation.
In his letter of nomination, Bob Rezak wrote, "Much of the volunteer work performed by Ms. Nemir occurred at a time when men still dominated the organizations. By example and action — not just words — she proved that women do indeed make significant contributions to the arts."
While the inductees may believe that they are just doing work that needs to be done, it is hoped that their visibility will inspire other women to pursue leadership roles.
"Without successful examples, how are you going to say, 'Hmm, I could do that'?" Parent said.
Contact Hannah Dreier at 925-779-7174.
Hall of fame dinner
Inductees will be honored on the evening of March 18 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord. Tickets can be purchased for $75 at womenscommission.com. For more information, contact Teresa Inman at 925-351-6988.
The inductees
Women Demonstrating Leadership: Councilwoman Nancy Parent, 69, Pittsburg
Women Creating Community: Rona Renner, 62, radio show host
Women Preserving the Environment: Ruth Bancroft, 101, founder of the Ruth Bancroft Gardens, Walnut Creek
Women Contributing to the Arts: Claudia Nemir, 75, civic arts leader, activist and philanthropist, Alamo
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