1999 – Washington, DC
Gail Berendzen is founder and president of Women of Washington, Inc., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created in 1991, and affiliates, Women of Los Angeles and Women of Orange County. Through monthly programs, women of diverse professions, races, cultures, ages and outlooks exchange ideas, support the community, learn from leaders and help each other personally and professionally. Programs in Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Orange County, California include a monthly luncheon forum, a mentoring program (Women Mentor Women), seminars for young professional women (Tomorrow’s Leaders Today), and breakfast or dinner for executive level women. In addition, the organization provides its members with a bi-monthly bi-coastal publication (In Touch), one minute presentations by members about their business or avocation (In Touch Live), an outreach program for highlighting non-profit organizations (The Non-Profit Alliance), and an ongoing focus on health and finance, two key issues which are vital for women (The Health and Finance Resource Board). Mrs. Berendzen began her career as a teacher in Massachusetts. She was the subject of several educational documentaries on teaching styles and the recipient of numerous recognitions and merit awards for her teaching. Among her honors: Person of Vision Award from the Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women; first recipient of the “Founders Award” given by Leadership Washington, Inc. and Partner with the Los Angeles Business Journal for Business Women of the Year, and Women of Action Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund. Among her board memberships are: Choral Arts Society, Champs Cookies, Full Circle Dance Company, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater Washington, Tears of the Children International Arts Project on Child Abuse and Summer Opera Theater, Catholic University.
