Insurance woman Evelyn Farrell founded the organization. Farrell was new to business in 1977, having been a homemaker for 25 years. She soon realized there was a need in Sonoma County for a way to share information and meet other businesswomen. She invited 10-12 women whom she considered to be community leaders to meet with her and listen to speaker Hugh Turner describe how the men’s breakfast club was formed. In the beginning the Forum did not have enough members to attract speakers so the members would take turns speaking. The first meetings had eight to ten people. The meetings consisted of the members going to restaurants and getting a table. A typical meeting would take place at the back of a coffee shop with everyone describing how they got to Santa Rosa. From there, the Forum grew.
Some of the things they decided against were fining, as well as blatant advertising and self-promotion. “We thought it was important to control the fact that people could not be up on their feet advertising,” said Farrell. Although, she pointed out, the members were very much encouraged to do business together. When the By-laws were created, the distribution of promotional materials and fundraising items such as tickets were prohibited at the meetings.
Some of the things they decided against were fining, as well as blatant advertising and self-promotion. “We thought it was important to control the fact that people could not be up on their feet advertising,” said Farrell. Although, she pointed out, the members were very much encouraged to do business together. When the By-laws were created, the distribution of promotional materials and fundraising items such as tickets were prohibited at the meetings.
Founding Members of the Sonoma County Forum
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Nina Arrabit
Evelyn Farrell |
Nancy Henshaw
Padi Selwyn |
Beverly Thiel
Beverly Viesselman Caryl Weiss |
Past Presidents of the Sonoma County Forum
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2024..........DeeDee Bridges
2023..........Liz Bartolotto 2022..........Patty Kolin 2020/21......Marty Wait 2018/19......Lori Ross 2017......... Marianne Messer 2016...........Kerry Campbell-Price 2014/15..... Donna Spilman 2012/13..... Rosa Turner 2010/11..... Pat Edelstein 2009......... Janet Thorpe 2008 ........ Nancy Hoskins |
2007......... Sarah Ahlsten
2006......... Alona Thomas 2005......... Pat Edelstein 2004......... Jetta Saharoff 2003......... Gale Brownell 2002......... Joanne Enemark 2001......... Kathryn Raimondi 1999/2000...Kathie Murphy 1998......... Pat Edelstein 1997......... Judy Glenn 1996......... Beverly Mooney 1995......... Laurie Ramzy 1994.......... Muriel Ray |
1993.......... Barbara Baker
1992......... Linda Kachiu 1991........ Jan Gabrielson Tansil 1990..... Michele Imbach 1989..... Zeanette Williams 1988..... Katie Edwards 1987..... Laurie Westdahl 1986 .... Barbara Detrich Gallagher 1985..... Lynne McMahon-Trowbridge 1984 .... Mickey Cooke 1983..... Cathleen Barnier 1982 .... Reba Roberts 1981..... Evelyn Farrell 1980...... Nancy Henshaw |