Former presidents, current members, honored guests and friends celebrated the founding of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Verdugo Glen Chapter with a luncheon at Burbank’s Castaway Restaurant in June. The chapter was founded in Glendale on June 27, 1963 and has maintained its status as a prestigious organization in the tri-city community.

The Starlight Room was aglow with gold balloons and featured a display reflecting “the 1963 business woman” including a ’60s-era telephone, typewriter and briefcase.

Guest speaker was ABWA’s national district VI Vice President Bryna Dambrowski of Long Beach. Special recognition was presented to the Chapter Woman of the Year and Top Ten Business Woman candidate Lori Hartwell of Glendale, and the Chapter Business Associate of the Year, Dr. Kella Price of Palmdale. Judges for the Business Associate Award were 2012 recipient Linda West of Glendale, Harvey Branman of Burbank’s Photography as an Art, and Dambrowski.

The chapter also awarded nine scholarships to local female students and presented the National Impact Scholarship award to Burbank’s Arpa Shahijanian.

The mission of ABWA is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

For information about ABWA, phone (818) 512-4079.

Subnitted by Lynn SHELBY