Santa Cruz Community Health recently marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration called “50 Years of Fierce Care.” The event, held at the Hotel Paradox, honored the founding mothers of the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Collective, Santa Cruz Community Health’s original name, for their pioneering spirit and dedication. Seventeen founding mothers, including Kater Pollock and Val Leoffler, attended the event.

Other notable guests in attendance included state Sen. John Laird, former Santa Cruz Mayor Cynthia Matthews, and community leaders John Leopold, Susan True and former Santa Cruz Community Health Executive Director Leslie Conner.

Attendees were treated to presentations that highlighted the historical significance and ongoing relevance of Santa Cruz Community Health’s work. Dr. Diana Greene Foster, a renowned researcher, delivered a compelling talk on abortion access, underscoring the organization’s longstanding commitment to reproductive rights. Dr. Judith Houck provided a fascinating historical perspective, delving into the rich history of the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Collective and its evolution into today’s Santa Cruz Community Health.

As Santa Cruz Community Health embarks on its next 50 years, it said that the anniversary celebration reaffirmed its dedication to continuing its legacy of “fierce care” — a commitment to compassionate, comprehensive, and inclusive health services for all community members.Watsonville woman establishes scholarship in memory of daughter

Rachelann Daniel of Watsonville recently made a donation of $250,000 to the Washington Crossing Foundation to establish and endow the Laura Daniel Brown Western United States Scholarship Fund in memory of her daughter Laura Daniel Brown, the former general manager of Soquel Creek Water District.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Washington Crossing Foundation, I want to thank Rachelann for this transformative gift in honor of her daughter Laura, whose gracious life of public service will now serve as an inspiration to others forever,” said Charles E. Tweedy, M.D., president of the Washington Crossing Foundation.

The fund’s purpose is to establish a $10,000 scholarship with the amount being allocated $2,500 per year for four years to a student recipient who is a resident of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wyoming. The endowment fund will ensure that the Laura Daniel Brown scholarship will be awarded in perpetuity.

Rachelann Daniel was born and raised in Southern California, having attended Scripps College and graduating from UCLA with a degree in education. She married and raised two children, Laura and Scott, and became a teacher. Brown and her husband shared a passion for Africa and later in life became licensed pilots. Brown was one of only two students nationwide in 1972 to win the Washington Crossing Foundation scholarship for students pursuing careers in public service She later became long-time member of the board of the foundation until she died in 2017.

Brown went on to serve various roles in local government for the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Monterey. She served on various community and advisory health boards. Brown and her husband Jess, a current member of the Board of the Washington Crossing Foundation, also shared a passion and love for the arts. Through her husband’s teaching in Africa, they became the sponsors of three siblings of the Chibweza family of Zimbabwe, overseeing their education and well-being, and ensuring that each received a college education.

Daisy Auxiliary holds fashion show at retirement community

As part of the Daisy Auxiliary’s special events program, a fashion show was held recently at Dominican Oaks to a full house. Fashion show models included Daisy members, as well as a Dominican Oaks resident (see photo). Kathy Paolini and Robin Evenden served as special events coordinator, and Sue Smith was the moderator. All proceeds from clothing and jewelry sold at the fashion show were donated to Family Service Agency of the Central Coast.