Second Annual First Ladies Appreciation Luncheon, Chandler, AZ
Angelika presenting to Christine Ellis the Global Women’s Peace Ambassador Award.
First Global Women Peace Ambassador Award given in the U.S. to Hon. Christine Ellis
"When women support each other, incredible things happen." Author, unknown.
Councilwoman Christine Ellis of Chandler Arizona teamed up with support from the City of Chandler, WFWP Arizona Chairwoman Rhia Luz, Universal Peace Federation and sponsors to host the 2nd Annual First Ladies Luncheon to give honor to the contributions of women leaders in their communities and the state.
It was held at the historic landmark, Chandler Center for the Arts, which accommodated over 150 guests in attendance on May 13, 2022. Miss Gayle Bass, a prominent TV Host personality, gave her time to be the Emcee of this inspiring event. The invocation was given by Pastor PhoxZee Elliot followed by the National Anthem sung by Miss Trina Forti. Then Christine Ellis warmly welcomed the participants.
Honorees were called forward by Christine Ellis and she highlighted many of her colleagues and associates that she has been working with over the years in government, business and the city council.
“I was most impressed by the level of professionalism combined with spiritually and heart. I have seldom seen such a crowd of women leaders in America with that kind of combination and beauty. It showed in their presence that they were really women of character and substance.”
—WFWP USA President Angelika Selle
Lucia Anderson, wife of Judge Mark Anderson and representative of the Universal Peace Federation, explained about the four tenants for Ambassador for Peace and introduced the GWPN committee lead by Glenda Lambert, WFWP Southwestern Regional Coordinator.
Group photo of President Selle and 11 prominent Arizona ladies who received the Ambassador for Peace Award.
Twelve other incredible women leaders were honored as the Ambassador For Peace for their contributions in their community. Nicole Stanton, the prominent First Lady of Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton, Cindy Biggs, wife of Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, and the City of Gilbert Mayor, Bridgette Peterson, Judge Alicia Skupin, Cynthia Brooks Lamb, Paige Fairbanks-Gunn, Cynthia Hardy, Jane Poston, Darla Gonzales, Farhana Shifa, Pastor Becky Davis, Judge Norine Richardson.
You can read about each of these extraordinary women in the magazine for the event here.
Each of the honorees spoke and gave hope and inspiration to all in attendance about the value of being a woman leader in their field and in their own family. A noted theme was especially their mother’s contributions to their upbringing and the role their background has played in upholding their careers. The event was not about politics but uplifting everyone to appreciate the amazing responsibilities women can do for the community and the nation.
This year’s awardees were all accomplished and inspiring women and First Ladies themselves. Judge Alicia Skupin was also awarded the First Lady Award of 2022 for being the First Latina and Judge Magistrate of Chandler, Arizona.
First Lady Lynne Hartke, gave her keynote address via video. She gave a powerful message on the impact of her mother’s role being the first married teacher in their hometown. Her message inspired the audience and following her message, many other awardees spoke of their mother’s impact in their lives.
Judge Alicia Skupin was honored at the event with the First Lady Award of 2022.
WFWP President, Angelika Selle, who came from the East Coast with her husband, Bob, gave a most stirring second keynote address that deeply touched the hearts of participants, some even to tears.
At the conclusion, President Selle conferred for the first time in America the WFWP Global Women Peace Ambassador Award to Councilwoman Christine Ellis during her address. This award is a newly launched initiative by the Women's Federation of World Peace International on May 7 at the WFWPI 30th anniversary international celebration.
Christine was deeply honored and received standing applause for her accomplishments.
This memorable gathering was a hopeful event because of the content of the stories we heard. The ladies awarded and in attendance all desired to serve the communities and find solutions to problems we are all facing. We have never been to such a luncheon.
After the event, Christine Ellis invited President Selle and her husband to a special dinner to discuss further collaboration with WFWP and were introduced to the Mayor of Chandler.
Special thanks and congratulations to WFWP chairwoman, Rhia Luz for her outstanding work in putting together this memorable event, and her tireless work to assist Councilwoman Christine Ellis in reaching out to the communities in Chandler.
Thanks also to all who attended and supported the event, especially donors and sponsors who made this event possible
From left to right: Mayor of Gilbert, Councilwoman Christine Ellis, Rhia Nkulu and two Ambassador for Peace Awardees.
Romina Rahman, a participant in the audience, shares her reflections and insights gained from the event.
“There were many women in the room from all walks of life, all fields and professions, all colors, languages, ethnicities, backgrounds, so pretty much the most beautiful room you could be in. Colorful women all around. And I don't mean just our skins, I mean, US, full of life and experiences, pains and joys, stories and hearts.
Many of the Ambassador for Peace women who spoke, dedicated who they had become to their mothers. I heard a story about someone's mother being the first teacher that was a mom and could keep their job through perseverance (yes, just one generation ago women were expected to choose between working or raising children). And then another one's mother overcame shyness and became resilient in a time when it wasn't popular, and then another woman shared that in the midst of devastating loss, she chose love, chose to keep on doing and keep on going. And then another who chose silence as a form of kindness instead of throwing herself into the other side of the polarized society. And many, many more such stories.
…this is what I realized: that shouting about change in resentment and anger is just not going to do much at all, that even though we might think this is so bad, it used to be worse than what our mothers and grandmothers had to deal with, and that we are blessed beyond what they could only dreamed of.
Now don't get me wrong, we always have to stand up and make things better, but without recognizing how far we've come, how much more we have become, and appreciating all that, then our stand will be filled with anger, and anger never breeds good things. Instead, I/we can rise for change, for betterment with gratitude! With gratitude to all women who came before us and did the best they knew how.
So blessed to be part of a wonderful team of women: Rhia Luz , Glenda Lambert, Kim M Evans, Susan Taffer, Lucia Anderson, Gloria Petersen and many more ”