North County Awards : YWCA Luncheon Honors 6 for Community Services

Six Orange County women were honored for outstanding contributions to the community at the North Orange County YWCA’s Recognition Luncheon.

Mildred Taggart, of Anaheim, a sculptor and potter who led a drive to save Anaheim’s 1928 Carnegie Library from demolition, was recognized for service to the arts. The library was preserved as a museum and has been placed in the National Register of Historical Places. Taggart also is a member of Anaheim Beautiful and has worked with the Anaheim Parks and Recreation Department to place historical artifacts in front of the Anaheim Cultural Arts Center.

Diane C. Anderson, manager of community affairs for Rockwell International, was honored for achievement in business and industry. Anderson, who lives in Laguna Niguel, has been vice president of development for the Orange County chapter of the American Cancer Society the past four years, and chairman of the public relations advisory council for the Orange County Performing Arts Center for two years. She also has chaired the nominating committee for the Anaheim Memorial Hospital Foundation Board the past 10 years.

Pat Mead, honored for volunteer community service, is co-founder with her husband, Jim, of For Kids Sake, a child abuse prevention program and clinic in Brea. She helps train the mostly volunteer staff, lectures at schools and speaks to civic organizations. The Meads have become foster parents to six children who were abused or are handicapped. She also belongs to the Brea Woman’s Club, does volunteer work at Brea Community Hospital and is pursuing a college degree.

Chosen for her contribution to communications, Dede Ginter, of Fullerton writes, lectures and owns a public relations firm and a catering service. She is director of the Girls Club of North Orange County, and a member of the board of For Kids Sake. From 1974 until 1977, she was chairman of Fullerton’s Bicentennial Committee.

Betty L. Elias, honored in the professional category, is the first woman judge appointed to North Orange County Municipal Court. She lectures frequently in addition to her court duties. She also has been honored as the Fullerton Business and Professional Woman’s Club Woman of Achievement.

Kathy Buchoz, former mayor of Westminster, received the public affairs award for a variety of services, including board membership with organizations such as Interval House, a home for victims of domestic violence, Turning Point, a drug and alcohol abuse program for young adults, the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, the Indochinese and American Women’s Assn., United Way of Orange County and the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster. A former administrative assistant to Assemblyman Richard Robinson (D-Garden Grove), she is now a governmental relations consultant.