Women in Focus™ FORUM Fifth Annual Event
2004 Theme: "Be One. Each One. Reach One. Teach One. Help One."
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Agenda
2004 Award-Winning Women & Teen Girls
Shauna Marie Albright was born in Montgomery, Alabama and came to Moreno Valley, California, in the early 1980's with her family. Her highest degree earned is a Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University, School of Law (2000), making her the only person in her family to receive a doctorate degree. In 2001, she was successfully admitted into the State Bar of California, and opened her own law practice, Albright & Associates, last year — making her one of the youngest attorneys to sustain her own practice. As the success of Albright & Associates continues, so does Shauna's commitment to helping underprivileged women who lack the financial resources to obtain legal assistance — reducing and/or waiving her legal fees. She has often devoted her time to those needing representation in criminal and domestic violence cases, and others who could not help themselves. Many of her clients, supporters and colleagues attest to Shauna's professional integrity, energetic spirit, and tenacity.
Dr. Kimberly Battle-Walters is an Associate Professor in the Social Work Department at Azusa Pacific University. She earned a master's degree in social work from Temple University, and a doctorate degree in sociology, with an emphasis in race and family, from the University of Florida. Dr. Battle-Walters is an ordained minister who has done ministry and work in Los Angeles and other cities in the United States, as well as six of the seven continents of the world, including Japan, Australia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Thailand, and Mexico. She was recently a government sponsored Fulbright Scholar, sent to South Africa for six months. She has published several articles on African American women's and international issues and facilitates workshops that promote diversity and love of all of God's people. Her first book entitled Sheila's Shop: The Experiences and Realities of Working-Class African American Women came out in July 2004.
Nina Fortin was born in a little town named Cava dei Tirreni Provinzi di Salerno in Italy. She arrived in America with her U.S. military husband on a ship in the early 1950's. Nina worked very hard with little pay in a sewing factory, and she could not speak a word of English. Inspired by her children and desire to fulfil her personal goals in life, in the midst of overcoming chronic health challenges, Nina was able to teach herself to read and understand enough English to "get by." At thirty three years young, with a second grade Italian education and no American formal education, she earned a Real Estate License. Two years later she earned a Broker's License. Nina, currently has a Real Estate firm in Diamond Bar, California and is truly a self-made entrepreneur operating solely on intuition and inner-wisdom. This seventy year old sensation is currently working on a third film, in documentary form, to tell "The Nina Fortin" story.
Lorena Hill is a thirteen year old, 4.0 GPA, honor student from Bakersfield, California. This nationally acclaimed, academic pageant contender is currently the title holder of 2004 Miss California Junior Teen America. In this role, she has represented the state with several personal appearances, including opportunities with Senator Roy Ashburn and U. S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Lorena actively supports her grand- father, Ruben Hill, a City Councilman, with voter registration. She is involved in St. Paul Pixley's Young Peoples Department (YPD.), which goes into the community and helps the needy by giving out food baskets during the holidays, and participates in a broad range of activities, i.e, a weekly news broadcast, school newspaper, plays saxophone, participates in academic pentathlon, math bowl, science fair, student council, yearbook, peer tutoring, and dances tap, ballet and lyrical. Lorena has received the California Highway Patrol Commander's Certificate of Commendation, the Perfect Attendance Award at school, the California State Assembly, Dean Flores' 30th Assembly District Legislature Award, and the Ideal Image Award for most outstanding author. Her future plans include attending Stanford or Harvard to pursue a career as an attorney or pediatrician.
Michelle Louden is a junior at Faith Baptist Schools in Canoga Park, California, and has received academic honors status for the past ten years. Michelle continually challenges herself by taking the most difficult classes the school offers. She has regularly participated in academic competitions, including speech contests and spelling bees, and consistently places among the top ten in the annual school wide speech contest (and placed second in the Golden State Association of Christian Schools spelling bee in 2003). She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and listed in Who's Who Among America's High School Students. She is currently the City of Los Angeles' Outstanding Teen in 2004. In addition, Michelle was recently invited to attend the National Student Leadership Conference forum on medicine, held at San Diego State University. After graduating, Michelle plans to pursue her love of science and research at the California Institute of Technology.
Ashley McCurdy is a senior at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, and is involved in the school's Television Show as an anchor. Among a wealth of additional academic accomplishments, Ashley is very active in the community. She works closely with the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered her time to support a medley of organizations and projects, such as The Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, Good Works, Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs of Anaheim, Walk With Me Program, Dress For Success, Anaheim Achieves after-school program, Youth Leadership Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA. Ashley is a Burton School tutor and an Armleader School volunteer. She plans to attend either the University of Southern California of Chapman University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism.
Letitia Ortega was born in Ensenada, Mexico, and came to Los Angeles, California at the age of fourteen. She attended school in South Central Los Angeles, dropping-out after tenth grade to be a teenage mother ‘n' wife. Five years later, with two children, a broken marriage, she worked futureless jobs and soon realized that the only way to a better life and future for her children and herself was to continue her education. After ten years of re-building, earning a GED, an Associates degree, a Bachelors degree and — now — a Masters degree and clear teaching credential this May, Letitia achieved her childhood dream of becoming a teacher and opened=up her world. She works as a math teacher at Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School in Los Angeles county. She plans to earn an administrative credential, and learn other languages.
Linda Diane Wright was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and relocated to California after getting married. Linda has owned several businesses — from a hat boutique, to a unique graphic designs company to a promotions and entertainment company. Her educational background includes multimedia, business administration, marketing, management and leadership. In 2003, Linda graduated from the University La Verne with three Masters of Science degrees in the latter areas and a 3.85 GPA. She has served a medley of organizations and grass root agendas in both southern and western regions of the U. S. Linda is the Founding President and CEO of the Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (founded this year), which recognizes diversity as the essence of what makes each individual and business effort unique. She is a Co-Founding Chief Executive Director of the Multicultural Civic Association of Moreno Valley, Inc. (founded in 1986), which offers a variety of cultural events, employment workshops, educational services and scholarships. Linda recently received the "2003 Community Honoree Serving The Legacy of The NCNW Award" (NCNW Moreno Valley Chapter) and "The 2004 Barbara Rodgers Community Service Award" honoring Linda as a woman whose life endeavors has been characterized by strong leadership, professional excellence and community involvement (Southern Christian Leadership Conference Riverside County Chapter). She plans to continue being of service as a positive role model and influence in the community as a whole.
2004 Awardees Received Commendations from:

WOMEN AWARDED:
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TEENS AWARDED:
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