The Harp Foundation - Published Article

ivingintoWell Century Two B Y LY N N E E R I C K S S O N & D I C K K E M P

P R E S E N TS F I V E S I G N I F I C A N T WO M E N O F T H E C E N T E N N I A L

The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor

Governor Rose Mof ford

Maxine Lakin

Stevie Eller

Patti Simmons

LET’S GO DO IT! Arizona has come so far in its first century, it seems almost impossible to match that progress for the next 100 years. Who will leave the legacies? Who will match the milestones?

This issue honors five significant women of our first century, all still vibrant and productive, all ideal civic models. One of them, Rose Mofford, says “It’s the people who made this state what it is.”

Another three, Stevie Eller, Patty Simmons and Maxine Lakin by themselves and teaming with their husbands have made tremendous civic contributions.

The fifth, Sandra Day O’Connor, once offered some timeless advise.

When chaos arose in a hallway from too many lawyers offering advise on a new court procedure, Sandra pointed to a meeting room and firmly said: “Let’s go do it!”

Simply put, that’s how Arizona leaders have met the challenges of building a state that is the envy of many. They issued a challenge to others and themselves:

“Let’s Go Do It.” Not Bad Advice For Our Second Century.

THE HONORABLE

S A N D R A D AY O ’ C O N N O R F O R M E R S U P R E M E C O U RT J U S T I C E THE SPIRIT OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILIT Y

Federal Court Judge Robert Broomfield tells the story with relish: “It was 1977. I was presiding judge of the Superior Court. We were asked to recommend a new way to set court calendars as a national model. The day we requested recommendations from Arizona lawyers, far more showed than expected.

“Sandra was one of four judges involved. As we debated on input procedure, and order was turning to chaos, she stood up, pointed to a meeting room and said: “Let’s go do it.” With just those firm four words, calm prevailed. A major court change was created that is still in effect.”

Sandra was raised on an Arizona ranch. With no schools nearby, she lived with her grandmother in El Paso, TX to complete grades 1 through 12. Summers were spent on her parent’s ranch, where many valuable life lessons were learned, she says.

At Stanford University she graduated third in her class. There she met John J. O’Connor III. They were married on the Day ranch. After he served in the military overseas, they moved to Phoenix.

She joined a small law firm, and he joined a larger Phoenix law firm, which later included his name. She took a break to raise their three sons, and during that time joined the Republican party and the Junior League, which she served as president.

Sandra was appointed to the Arizona Senate in 1969, then elected to two terms. She became the senate’s first female Majority Leader, later serving as a judge on Arizona’s Superior Court and Court of Appeals.

In 1981 she was nominated and approved as the first female member of the U.S. Supreme Court. After serving there for 24 years, being the swing vote on many important cases, she retired to live in Phoenix.

Her many local, state and national honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highest civilian award.

On May 20th, 2012, The Harp Foundation presented awards to The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Governor Rose Mofford, Stevie Eller, Maxine Lakin, and Patty Simmons. Each woman has made a significant contribution to the growth and well-being of Arizona and the nation. They truly represent the Mind, Body, and Spirit of Arizona during our 2012 Centennial. The Arizona Centennial’s Vision was “to appreciate our state’s rich past, celebrate the present and together create a vibrant and self-sustainable future. Our honorees have lived collectively in Arizona for over 400 years! Their hearts, their energy, their spirit and their visions resonate throughout our valley and state. They represent the best of Arizona’s “can do” attitude of the past century, reminding us that we have a foundation to “live well into Century Two.”

At the state capitol for Celebrating Significant Women of the Centennial, Stevie Eller, Judge Broomfield, Joyce Buekers (left to right)

Arizona Capitol Museum

Connecting people to Arizona Government Past and Present Discover how Arizona became a state in the building where it actually happened!

1700 W. Washington Phoenix, AZ 86007

602-926-3620 www.azlibrary.gov/museum Free Admission Open Monday - Friday Exhibits: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Visit our Museum Store: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

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June 2011 Discover The Phoenix Region

ROSE MOFFORD F O R M E R A R I ZO N A G OV E R N O R & S E C R E TA R Y O F S TAT E

P U B L I C S E R V I C E F R O M T H E H E A RT

Though she can claim a number of “firsts” in 51 years of service to Arizona, former Gov. Rose Mofford is most proud of “never discriminating in race, color or creed.” Close behind is pride in her charity work—“helping those who couldn’t help themselves.”

After succeeding impeached Gov. Evan Mecham, her first move was to write 30,000 state employees, asking for cooperation “No one can do anything alone,” she says. These and other actions—like answering her own phone and mail-- earned her a title: “The healing governor.”

During her rise to first female governor, Rose Mofford served in Arizona’s Revenue and Treasury departments. She was the first female Secretary of State, serving four terms. During those years, Rose says she is “proud to have worked with 12 of the state’s 17 governors.”

She was born Rose Perica in Globe, Az., and became the first female Globe H.S. class president. Being valedictorian demonstrated her academic prowess. Though selected an AllAmerican softball player, it was her basketball skills that earned a professional offer from the All American Red Heads, “which I turned down on advise of my father.”

In Phoenix she earned additional All-America honors on the Cantaloupe Queens softball team, and was later inducted into Arizona’s Softball Hall of Fame. Several ball fields and sports complexes carry her name.

Other honors include being named one of America’s Best Loved Women, and Outstanding Woman of the Year by Valley Leadership. In addition to considerable charity work, three other achievements she is proud to be part of: 1 - Collecting 48 tons of food for Mother Theresa’s Arizona visit.

2 - The Pope’s visit to Phoenix 3 - Bringing more Cactus League teams to Arizona Is there any goal she wanted but didn’t achieve? “Yes,” she responds with the always present twinkle in the eye, “I always wanted to be good in music and ice skating. Neither worked out.”

MAXINE L AKIN P H O E N I X M O U N TA I N P R E S E R VAT I O N A R I ZO N A T R A I L S

Maxine Lakin’s life can be defined in many ways--wife, mother of four daughters and major backer of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve system, are only several.

While serving on at least 11 major Valley boards and councils, many as president, she is best known and highly regarded as a behind- the- scenes motivator. Most of her activities involve environmental stewardship. When asked what prompted such an interest, she pauses: “It’s probably because as an only child growing up in California, I spent lots of time with my parents in the state’s most beautiful parks.”

She is quicker in naming her first major Valley “green “involvement: “It was Save Camelback Mountain. Barry Goldwater led the fight to buy property on its upper slopes.

“I was on the Phoenix Union school board at the time (serving as first female board president). We helped rally students to preserve Camelback, and received pennies, nickels and dimes from all over the state.”

Maxine earned a business degree from the University of Arizona (whose School of Agriculture later bestowed a Lifetime Award for environmental stewardship activities}. After graduation, she taught school five years in Florence, AZ. Reflecting on husband Chuck’s farming-ranching vocation and community involvement, Maxine belongs to the Arizona AgriBusiness Council, Arizona Farm Bureau and American Quarter Horse Assn.

Recently, in their Central Phoenix home, reminiscing on her decades of service, Chuck pointed to his wife’s Pioneer of Open Space trophy from the Arizona Parks & Recreation Assn.

Asked which of Maxine’s awards he is most proud, Chuck said: “Probably the Woman of the Year, from the Phoenix Ad Club.”

Noting that Chuck himself has a long record of serving or heading agricultural and civic groups, Maxine was asked the secret to a very busy life while raising four children: “You could say it was giving each other room to grow and follow each other’s interests, while gathering the family most nights for a home cooked dinner.”

Fandango Arizona Celebrating 100 Years of Statehood February 14, 2012 is described “as a night that is designed for the history books.� The Harp Foundation was highlighted at the VIP reception and set a beautiful tone for the evening.

LET’S GO DO IT! P AT T Y S I M M O N S COMMUNITY LEADER H E A RT O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y

Patty Simmons, with Stevie Eller, co-chaired the Arizona Centennial’s capital campaign and Feb. 12 celebration, The Arizona Fandango. She was recently asked: “How do you motivate others to emulate the social responsibility that brought Arizona to its amazing 100th birthday”?

“It’s not difficult to sell others on something you believe in, and act on,” she answered.

She and husband Jim have lived that corporate partnership and social responsibility philosophy for decades.

A member of a prominent Phoenix business family, Patty fondly recalls an early community outreach effort…“selling WW II savings bonds with Rose Mofford.”

Through the years she has served on many boards, several as president.

These include the Junior League, which she says opened her eyes to community needs; the Barrow Neurological Institute and the Board of Visitors—oldest Valley charitable organization, founded to serve the health needs of children and the elderly.

“You could say my first lesson in helping others was as a member of the Girl Scouts,” she smiles.

Reflecting on her life, Patty says three of her proudest moments are:

• When Barry Goldwater ran for president in 1964, and put Arizona “on the map.”

• When John Rhodes and Barry Goldwater told President Nixon to resign.

• When Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated and confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice in 1981.

As a native Phoenician, in addition to her “giving back” philosophy, Patty has a special love for Arizona. She hopes future generations will too.

She says: “We must preserve our beautiful state, and the magic is the part of the continent—from the pristine Sonoran desert to the Mongollon Rim, and beyond.”

STEVIE ELLER A R I ZO N A H I S TO RY M A K E R E N T R E P R E N E U R & H U M A N I TA R I A N

Stevie Eller’s philosophy mirrors a guideline from husband Karl’s book: INTERGRITY IS ALL YOU’VE GOT. Under a subtitle, The Joy of Giving, it is: “When you give time and money to a cause beyond yourself, when you make it one of your priorities, you simply live a more fulfilling life.”

Even a quick look at Stevie Eller’s activities proves she lives that philosophy.

Her interests range from A to Z—Arizona Heart Association to Zoo Auxiliary. Those activities show breadth as well…from home-base Phoenix to the Kennedy Center to the University of Arizona.

The Eller’s continued UA support is evident in funding of and scholarships donated to the Eller College of Management and the School of Dance, “now rated in competition above Julliard,” says Stevie proudly. Her interest in dance stems from lessons in Paxton, IL, where she was born and raised. “I liked everything except ballet,” she smiles.

Her many recognitions for University of Arizona support includes the Outstanding Service to Higher Education Award by the Board of Regents. Stevie also is active on her alma mater’s Foundation Board.

Stevie’s time and talent contributions include these boards or trustees: Barrows Neurological Institute, Herberger Theater, and Achievement Awards for College Scientists, American Cancer Society, Multiple Sclerosis, Phoenix Human Relations Council, Children’s Science Museum, Harrington Arthritis Research Center, Hon Kachina Awards and the Phoenix Art Museum At Gov. Jan Brewer’s request, she co-chaired the Arizona Centennial’s capital campaign including raising funds for a new Arizona capitol museum.

While the Eller’s have the means to contribute generously, Stevie and Karl agree: “…even the poorest person can acquire real wealth—the power of helping others.”

A B O U T T H E H A R P F O U N D AT I O N ?

before

after

Development, Sales, Leasing & Management of Commercial Real Estate 1450 E. Indian School Road, Suite 104 Phoenix, AZ 85014

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The Harp Foundation is among the first of its kind in the United States to offer live therapeutic harp music to enhance and support the quality of life for people of all ages in need of comfort and support. At The Harp Foundation, services are provided by a team of committed and caring harpists, staff and volunteers. The Harp Foundation evolved through the collaboration of healthcare, senior services and religious provider. Our Harp to Heart Program brings live harp music to the bedside of terminally ill patients and their families. When we cannot be there in person, our CDs are available. In addition, the soft mellow strings of the harp provide a beautiful background during Celebration of Life Services. Additional programs, include the Angel Song Program which offer live harp music to children and individuals in hospital settings. The music helps children transition from a place of fear to one of comfort and peace. Harps in the Schools enriches the academic world for students.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE The mission of The Harp Foundation is to promote individual and community wellness by providing unique instrumental harp music in therapeutic settings to enable and accelerate healing; to build alliances with other organizations providing healing, and to create links among healthcare and educational providers. The Harp Foundation provides live harp music in hospitals: research with neonatal babies; in hospice settings, and on an individual basis. Therapeutic harpists teach instrumental harp to children in at-risk schools; as well as to train harpists in providing therapeutic harp music”.

The Harp Foundation is providing Century Two Initiatives in healthcare, education and the arts while promoting models for Corporate Partnerships with Social Responsibility!

“Let’s Go Do It!”

A R I Z O N A C E L E B R AT E S L I F E Expectant mothers have three choices when deciding what to do with their baby’s umbilical cord blood: privately bank it, donate it, or throw it away. This is made possible by a new company in Gilbert called The Celebration Stem Cell Centre, Arizona’s first public and private cord blood bank. Stem cells are currently being investigated to treat several conditions such as: leukemia, cancers, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and heart disease to name just a few. The FDA has recently approved the first umbilical cord blood product for use in stem cell transplantation procedures in patients with disorders affecting the hematopoietic (blood forming) system of the body.

For several years, mothers have had the option to choose private banking, also known as “family banking”. These stem cells are a perfect genetic match for your child and significantly increases the likelihood of having a match for a sibling. The Celebration Stem Cell Centre is unique because the cord blood is processed according to the higher quality standards of a public donation bank.

The Celebration Stem Cell Centre also offers a free donation option. The donated stem cells are available to medical community around the world for patient therapy or research. If the family decides to donate the baby’s cord blood, then they no longer have exclusive rights to the cord blood, but it might still be available to the donor if they need it. The preserved stem cells may remain viable for over twenty years.

Donations are especially needed from ethnic communities such as: African American, American Indian, Asian, Latino and mixed ethnicities. The Celebration Stem Cell Centre has joined a worldwide initiative to increase donations to help make cell therapy possible to people from all ethnicities. Mothers can call 480-722-9963 or enroll online at www.CelebrationStemCellCenter.com to donate or privately bank their baby’s cord blood.

EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS! PRIVATELY BANK OR DONATE YOUR BABY’S CORD BLOOD, JUST DON’T THROW IT AWAY. 480.722.9963 • Toll-Free: 877.522.2355 • Info@CelebrationStemCellCentre.Com • 3495 South Mercy Road, Gilbert, Az 85297