The Center’s second Annual Women’s Night, “Cherchez les Femmes Havana Nights”, an event that raises funds for women’s programs at The Center, takes place at the El Cortez Hotel downtown on Saturday, May 1. This year the event will honor 10 San Diego lesbian, bisexual and transgender women for their contributions to politics, healthcare, the arts, education, philanthropy, social services and business. With the Nicky Awards May 9 and the first annual Latin Awards May 16, the month of May is geared up to be a major award and fundraising month for the GLBT community.

“Havana Nights” will feature Mojitos, cigars, Latin jazz and live performances by Christina Veronica and The Latin Blues Band, fire dancer Shonda Dawson with Urban Tribal Dance Co., and Angel and Tulane from A Time to Dance studio.

“This year is expected to be even bigger and better than last year and a great opportunity to have a great night out while supporting women’s programming for our community,” said AJ Davis, The Center’s director of public policy.

As with last year’s successful “Roaring ’20s” theme, formal attire is expected and attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costumes befitting the theme.

Though the evening is geared to raise funds for women’s programs, men are “absolutely welcome,” said Summer Morse, community and special events coordinator at The Center. “This is a really great event and an easy, fun opportunity for the community to support women’s programming at The Center.”

This year’s awards ceremony will become a regular part of the event in future years. “This is a great opportunity to honor just a few of the women that make a difference in our community every day,” Davis said. “This will be the first of many Annual Women’s Night/Cherchez les Femmes that will include honoring the amazing women of our community. This year’s honorees are truly dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT San Diegans and we are excited to have this opportunity to honor them.”

Honorees were selected through a community nomination process.

Marci Bair, president of the board of directors for Family Matters, and Carolina Ramos, regional director of Bienestar, will both be honored with the 2004 Woman of the Year Award.

“I am very honored to receive this award, and especially to be sharing it with Carolina Ramos, who really blazed the trail in putting together the original framework of what Family Matters is now,” said Bair, who, besides her leadership in Family Matters, is the owner of Bair Financial Group and is active with the Greater San Diego Business Association.

Ramos and Bair have worked together on a number of projects over the years. In addition to her work with Bienestar, the GLBT Latino/a community center, Ramos helped found the Children’s Garden at San Diego’s Pride festival and the group Moms & Me –N- Dads Too.

“I am honored to be sharing this award with Marci,” Ramos said. “Being that Marci is now taking over something that I’ve had a lot of passion for – running the support group for gay and lesbian parents as well as their children [that started] years ago. I feel honored that they’re honoring both of us, because we’re both doing the same work. Marci kind of picked up where I left off, and I feel honored – it’s just wonderful.”

Ramos recently returned from the weekend-long Latina Lesbian Health Summit in Washington, D.C. Activists from all over the country as well as Puerto Rico met to discuss the health issues that affect Latina lesbians and how to strategize locally and nationally to address those issues.

“Being around other activists from other cities around the country – women who have been doing this work for 30 years; 20 years; new ones – it was just amazing,” Ramos said. “The energy was great.”

Where Ramos considers herself both a family and Latino/a GLBT activist, Bair does not consider herself an activist.

“I have never considered myself an activist,” Bair said. “I joined Family Matters to network with other families and so the kids could grow up with other kids in similar households. I joined the board so that I could add more structure to the organization since it was loosely put together when I joined. With regards to GSDBA, I joined for business reasons and I have met so many wonderful people. I also joined that board to give back to the association that helped me grow my business. I don’t consider myself an activist, I just believe in the human race and doing what is right and standing up when I see an injustice.”

Dr. Flora Danque, a physician and partner in Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, will receive the Science/Health/Medicine Award. Danque volunteers at UCSD’s free clinic downtown and manages the medical tent each year at the AIDS Walk.

Longtime activist Jeri Dilno, the first female president of the San Diego Democratic Club who has been active in the fight for GLBT rights since her discharge from the Air Force in 1961, is the Political Award winner.

Philanthropist Laura Galinson, a founder of the Alternative Families Fund, receives the Philanthropic Award for providing financial assistance to numerous organizations, as well as serving on many grant committee and advisory boards.

The year’s Education Award goes to Evelyn Kirkley, an openly lesbian professor of religious studies at the University of San Diego (USD), who serves as the faculty liaison for the USD Youth Pride organization.

Danielle LoPresti is the winner of the Arts Award. LoPresti, leader of the popular local band Danielle LoPresti and the Masses, is active in San Diego’s arts community and is an outspoken activist and advocate. She is also co-creator of Indie by Design, a monthly music event that showcases independent-minded musicians and activism, and led the organization of a recent “Celebrate Women’s Herstory Month” event at The Center.

The Social Service Award goes to Tracy O’Brien, a transgender activist who has worked extensively in the recovery community and is currently involved in a transgender needs assessment study.

Lisa Vella and Donna Walker, owners of South Bark Dog Wash, receive the Business Award for helping to revitalize the business community in South Park.

Contact Summer Morse at (619) 692-2077 ext. 247 or smorse@thecentersd.org for more information or to purchase tickets for “Cherchez les Femmes Havana Nights”.