In The News - August 2001

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The Magazine of Santa Clarita, August 2001

Article: Stephanie Edwards Brings a message of hope at Second Annual Mes Amies Luncheon

The second annual Mes Amies luncheon on July 14 was everything the 80-plus guests could have hoped for. Beneath the shade of canvas awnings at beautifully appointed tables, they lunched on salad and sorbet and enjoyed each other’s friendship, the thing that is the heart of the Betty Ferguson Foundation.

They sipped iced tea to the accompaniment of 16-year-old Greg Anderson on guitar and enjoyed a breathtaking rendition of Judy Garland’s Trolley Song sung by 14-year-old up-and-coming vocalist Lindsay Hough.

What they were unprepared for, however, was the incredibly moving address of its keynote speaker, radio and television personality Stephanie Edwards, whose self-deprecating humor and honesty shone through in a tale of her own life’s hardships and rewards. Ms. Edwards began by revealing that while many think of her as rich and famous, she has, in fact, had many setbacks along her journey, during which she has worked against getting - in her words - old and cynical. There were significant setbacks, including nearly having to file for bankruptcy. It is due to the kindness of strangers that she and her husband own a home today.

“It was very, very hard to accept such a generous gift – a gift offered with no strings attached.”

It is this kind of generosity that Edwards sees at the Betty Ferguson Foundation.

“A tremendous idea begins with a small step,” said Ms. Edwards. “It [Betty Ferguson Foundation] started with one woman who gave of herself to help others without recognition, and when she (Betty Ferguson) died, her daughter (foundation founder Judy Cox) found out about it and decided to carry on her legacy. As a result, people’s quiet lives are taking fire.”

In addition to providing friendship and support for women, the Betty Ferguson Foundation seeks to help young people discover their dreams. Their goal is to establish a center that will provide them with workshops and seminars, mentoring from business people who can teach them job interview skills, work ethics, proper dress in the business environment, sales and office management. They will also be able to learn different creative media including music and video recording and editing, dancing, photography, and gardening and landscaping, among other things.

The Betty Ferguson Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Fed. ID #95-4726134