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center's vast archives that include artifacts from the women's suffrage movement, an extensive costume collection, personal papers, artwork, and even a soccer ball signed by every member of San Diego Wave, the women's professional soccer team. Last month, more than 100 supporters gathered to celebrate the women's center launch and to honor trailblazing women who have been inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame since 2001. ey included keynote speaker Monique Henderson a gold medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2008 games in Beijing, and Professor Emeritus Starla Lewis, a seven-time "Teacher of the Year" known for her empowering work in African-American and women's studies. Also in attendance were 103-year- old Deborah Szekely, known as the "godmother of wellness," who co-founded the Golden Door and Rancho La Puerta; Lynn Schenk, a former congresswoman and attorney who fought for women's rights; Betty Peabody, a California "Woman of the Year" and advocate for Balboa Park; and Phyllis Schwartz, a former television news executive who now authors children's books. "Tonight is our official coming out party, marking the beginning of a bold new chapter," said Sandra Maas, past board president of the women's museum who was instrumental in the merger as a member of the San Diego History Center's board of trustees. "e new women's center will honor the women who built this community, preserve their stories, and inspire future generations to write the next ones," she said. "San Diego needs a Center for Women's History because our city's story is incomplete without the voices, visions, and victories of the women who helped build it," noted Debby Cushman-Parrish, incoming board chair, who donated $100,000 for the center. "I believe the center will foster a deeper sense of pride and identity within the community by displaying the diverse roles women have played in shaping San Diego." e women's center is rooted in the nonprofit Women's Reclamation Project, founded by Mary Maschal in 1983, dedicated to collecting and sharing women's stories. She wanted to become a preacher like her father but was told, "Girls don't do that." Maschal later joined the National Organization for Women (NOW) in the 1970s and dedicated her life to showing that women can do anything they want. Lynn Schenk, trailblazing attorney who co-founded the Lawyers' Club, served in Congress, and was inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame Olympic Gold Medalist Monique Henderson and Professor Emeritus Starla Lewis, both San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame inductees, were featured speakers >> @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2025 37 LYNN SCHENK: PHOTO BY TIM HARDY INSET: PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER/GILDA ADLER