Girl Power

The Amazons ruled when United Way launched Women United with a debut lunch for 150 guests at the Hotel Californian.

The new all-female group’s intent is to strengthen the local community through a focused investment of talent, compassion, and philanthropy and expand educational opportunities for children from pre-kindergarten through third grade.

The socially gridlocked bash, emceed by KEYT-TV journalist Alys Martinez, featured speakers Tina Hansen McEnroe and Marnia McGee, both authors, and founding members Susan Hersberger and Tamara Skov, as well as Steve Ortiz, president and CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County.

Among the guests at the blast-off were Anne Towbes, Merryl Brown, Bobbi Didier, Janet Garufis, Patty Bryant, Maryan Schall, Marcia Wolfe, Val Montgomery, Marybeth Carty, mayor Cathy Murillo, Amber Ortiz, Susan Hanna, Andria Kahmann, and Julie Karbulz.