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SDWC

Increase Visibility and Diversity with the Dr. Cynthia Lawrence Founder’s Fund

The San Diego Women’s Chorus would not be the organization that we are today without the vision and leadership of our beloved founder, Dr. Cynthia Lawrence. A long-time community activist, Cynthia established the chorus in 1987 with 14 members who sang around a piano in her living room.

Cynthia’s vision was to make social change through music, and she did so by building our chorus with a rich commitment to women’s creativity, equality, diversity, and love.   She believed in the power of music to affect positive change in ourselves, our community, and the world at large.

In conjunction with the celebration of Cynthia’s 81st birthday, a fund has been established to honor her deep and lasting legacy. The Dr. Cynthia Lawrence Founder’s Fund is devoted to expanding the reach and impact of the chorus by (1) funding high-impact activities that raise our visibility and allow us to reach new audiences; and (2) engaging in additional outreach and efforts to ensure that diverse voices are present and active within our chorus.

The Fund is being launched with a generous matching gift of $10,000 from two of Cynthia’s close friends. Any contributions made to the Dr. Cynthia Lawrence Founder’s Fund will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000.

Fund Membership for SDWC Singers in Need with the Colleen Osburn Gratitude Scholarship Fund

Singing member Paula Tallal created the Colleen Osburn Gratitude Scholarship this year in honor of her wife, who passed away July 5, 2014. The beautiful music and welcoming community of SDWC brought joy and comfort into their lives and it is our hope that this scholarship fund will enable women with financial barriers to join our chorus by paying for membership dues, music fees and retreat costs. Any amount you can give will help a woman add her voice and light to our sisterhood of singers.

Support High-Quality Entertainment through the Chris Allen Memorial Music Fund

Chris Allen was the beloved Artistic Director of SDWC from 1996-2014. Following his passing in 2016, we created the Chris Allen Memorial Music Fund to help us continue to create the highest-quality musical experience for all of our performances. Our music is our activism and these funds will help us reach the hearts and minds of our audiences in a powerful, polished way. Donations to this fund will help cover expenses such hiring talented local instrumentalists, holding vocal workshops for singing members and commissioning unique choral arrangements. Donate to honor Chris’ legacy today.

Honor Their Memory By Supporting The Gloria L. de Jesus Memorial Fund

This fund is dedicated to Gloria L. de Jesus, former member of SDWC, sister of current member, Christina de Jesus, and founding board member, Luisa de Jesus.

Gloria passed away at home unexpectedly in June 2020 of natural causes.  She lived with Bipolar and autism, persevering in every endeavor she challenged herself to.  Gloria donated her brain to the UC Davis Mind Institute, the world’s leading autism research center, with the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals living with autism and their families by creating technological developments, clinical care and research.

As a student at Southwestern College, Gloria was very active in the  Associated Student Office, serving as co-president of the A.B.L.E. Club (Abilities Beyond Limitation Through Education), providing and increasing disability awareness and visibility on campus.

Gloria’s family created this fund to assist BIPOC chorus members, and members who live with nuero-diversity, and may face financial and other accessibility challenges that may hinder their participation in chorus related activities.  This memorial fund will also assist the Inclusion and Culture Committee in their goal to create a safe space for all chorus members.