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The first among equals
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| Glendale resident Rahla Lindsey reads a book to a group of schoolchildren at R.D. White Elementary on Wednesday. (Roger Wilson/News-Press) |
Glendal resident was first woman to join Noon Rotary Club; now there are eight.
By Ani Amirkhanian
Rahla Lindsey is proud of the fact that she was the first woman to join the Glendale Noon Rotary Club more than 20 years ago.
In 1987, Lindsey was the only woman among 140-plus men in the club.
“They always told jokes,” Lindsey said, of being the lone woman in the club. “I learned to sit with an impassive face and that worked out OK.”
When the Glendale club was first established 86 years ago, women were not allowed to join or take part in any of the club’s activities, Lindsey said.
But today, times have changed and so has the club’s culture. There are at least eight women in the club, said David Crawford, a member of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club.
“I think she has contributed to the Glendale Rotary Club a great deal because not only was she the first woman but she was the first female president,” said Makiko Nakasone, president-elect of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club. “She brings in . . . her being a mom and an accomplished woman. And so these are very invaluable aspects that she brought into the club.”
Lindsey is also considered to be a role model to other women in the club, Nakasone said.
“She’s always very positive and encouraging to other female members,” she said.
Lindsey, continues to do her part to give back to the community with the support of her Rotarians.
Lindsey’s philanthropy extends to local children.
For the last 10 years, she’s been a volunteer reader to second-graders at R.D. White Elementary School.
Known as “Grandma Rahla,” Lindsey visits the school at least once a week and reads to students.
“There are always children who need unconditional, loving adults,” Lindsey said. “I get a lot of hugs.”
Lindsey, 73, has a file cabinet full of thank-you notes and mementos children have given her throughout the years, she said.
“It’s such a joy when a child comes up to you and says, ‘mommy, mommy, that’s Grandma Rahla’,” Lindsey said.
Aside from reading to schoolchildren, Lindsey and the Rotary Club raise money and give to the Glendale Public Library. Proceeds go toward the purchase of new books for the library’s children’s room.
“With Rahla, the word dynamic fits her to a tee,” said David Crawford, a member of the Glendale Rotary Club. “She’s just a go-getter. When she puts her mind to something, she goes whole hog and gets everybody involved.”
But Lindsey’s philanthropy doesn’t stop with the Rotary Club.
Lindsey, a management consultant, also serves on the board of directors of the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy’s Scouts.
She is the vice president of “Exploring,” a worksite-based program that provides youngsters between the ages of 14 and 20 education resources and information about career options. Children have the opportunity to select careers of interest, such as engineering, fire service or aviation and engage in programs that help them develop skills.
“We are trying to expand and find some opportunities for young people,” Lindsey said.
When it comes to her line of work as a consultant, Lindsey puts her skills to use as a volunteer for the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Lindsey teaches management skills workshops to individuals who run nonprofit organizations.
She also gives her time as a voluntary arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. Whenever the association deals with fee disputes between a client and attorney, Lindsey sits on the committee that handles the disputes.
In 1987, Lindsey was the only woman among 140-plus men in the club.
“They always told jokes,” Lindsey said, of being the lone woman in the club. “I learned to sit with an impassive face and that worked out OK.”
When the Glendale club was first established 86 years ago, women were not allowed to join or take part in any of the club’s activities, Lindsey said.
But today, times have changed and so has the club’s culture. There are at least eight women in the club, said David Crawford, a member of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club.
“I think she has contributed to the Glendale Rotary Club a great deal because not only was she the first woman but she was the first female president,” said Makiko Nakasone, president-elect of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club. “She brings in . . . her being a mom and an accomplished woman. And so these are very invaluable aspects that she brought into the club.”
Lindsey is also considered to be a role model to other women in the club, Nakasone said.
“She’s always very positive and encouraging to other female members,” she said.
Lindsey, continues to do her part to give back to the community with the support of her Rotarians.
Lindsey’s philanthropy extends to local children.
For the last 10 years, she’s been a volunteer reader to second-graders at R.D. White Elementary School.
Known as “Grandma Rahla,” Lindsey visits the school at least once a week and reads to students.
“There are always children who need unconditional, loving adults,” Lindsey said. “I get a lot of hugs.”
Lindsey, 73, has a file cabinet full of thank-you notes and mementos children have given her throughout the years, she said.
“It’s such a joy when a child comes up to you and says, ‘mommy, mommy, that’s Grandma Rahla’,” Lindsey said.
Aside from reading to schoolchildren, Lindsey and the Rotary Club raise money and give to the Glendale Public Library. Proceeds go toward the purchase of new books for the library’s children’s room.
“With Rahla, the word dynamic fits her to a tee,” said David Crawford, a member of the Glendale Rotary Club. “She’s just a go-getter. When she puts her mind to something, she goes whole hog and gets everybody involved.”
But Lindsey’s philanthropy doesn’t stop with the Rotary Club.
Lindsey, a management consultant, also serves on the board of directors of the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy’s Scouts.
She is the vice president of “Exploring,” a worksite-based program that provides youngsters between the ages of 14 and 20 education resources and information about career options. Children have the opportunity to select careers of interest, such as engineering, fire service or aviation and engage in programs that help them develop skills.
“We are trying to expand and find some opportunities for young people,” Lindsey said.
When it comes to her line of work as a consultant, Lindsey puts her skills to use as a volunteer for the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Lindsey teaches management skills workshops to individuals who run nonprofit organizations.
She also gives her time as a voluntary arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. Whenever the association deals with fee disputes between a client and attorney, Lindsey sits on the committee that handles the disputes.
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