The Watch Tree Scottsdale Posted by Rada Tierney on February 24, 2010

L-R: Kelly Zitlow, Paula Cullison, Mary Contreras

Women of Scottsdale, one of the Valley's foremost networking organizations for women, named Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist, Paula Cullison, as its 2009 Woman of the Year. Women of Scottsdale co-founders, Wink Blair and Linda M. Herold, along with WOS Director, Mary Contreras, presented Cullison with the award at the group's February luncheon held Friday, February 19, 2010, at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Since coming to Arizona from New York in 1974, Cullison has devoted her professional and personal life to serving the community as an advocate of women's rights and a supporter of issues affecting women and girls. For the past eight years, Cullison's focus has been the Arizona Women's Partnership, Inc. (AZWP), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization which she created in 2002 to provide grants to grass roots charities that assist underserved women and children at risk here in Arizona. Her annual fundraising event, Wine, Women & Jazz, has awarded over $130,000 in grants to more than 40 non-profits.

Cullison's influence has been felt on a global scale as well. As a member of the United Nations Association, she presented at the UN Conference for Women in Nairobi, Kenya, and participated in the World Women's Conference in Moscow. Cullison recently organized and co-chaired the 60th anniversary dinner for the Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The 20-year breast cancer survivor also championed the movement in Arizona to establish the National Breast Cancer Coalition. She was then selected and appointed to the Federal Government Grant Review Board which continues to award millions of dollars for breast cancer research.

Women of Scottsdale announces its annual Woman of the Year every December and honors her in February. Past Woman of the Year recipients were on hand to honor Cullison including Senator Carolyn Allen (R-AZ), former Scottsdale mayors Mary Manross and Sam Campana, Scottsdale Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp, Debbie Gaby, Lois McFarland and Joan Fudala.

ABOUT WOMEN OF SCOTTSDALE
Founded in 1989, Women of Scottsdale is a premier networking organization for women who work or live in Scottsdale and share a pride in the uniqueness of the Scottsdale community. Members meet once a month for an elegant luncheon and the opportunity to enjoy mutual interests and the exchange of new ideas with other stimulating women. Women of Scottsdale has been named one of the Top 20 Valley networking organizations by the Phoenix Business Journal. For more info about membership and sponsorship options, visit www.womenofscottsdale.org

Paula Cullison has spent most of her adult life devoted to elevating the status of women. A Can Do attitude is important to her and she attributes her success to that!

This former New Yorker has been an Arizona woman since 1974. For the past eight years, Paula's focus has been the Arizona Women's Partnership, inc. an all volunteer philanthropic non-profit which she created in 2002 to provide grants to grass roots charities that assist under-served women and children at risk here in Arizona.

To that end, she also created the fundraising vehicle; namely, Wine, Women & Jazz which is presented each Spring at the Arizona Culinary Institute in Scottsdale. AZWP is an all volunteer philanthropic 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization which relies on the generosity of the local (mostly Scottsdale) community. To date, AZWP has awarded over $130,000 in grants to more than 40 non-profits whose profiles can be found on azwp.org

As a longtime advocate of women's rights and a supporter of issues affecting women and girls, Paula was presented with the Susan B. Anthony Award. This was quite an honor especially since Susan B. Anthony is one of the women Paula has most admired.

A finalist for the Athena Award and for the Valley Leadership Award, Paula served on the American Association of University Women Board of Directors for several years. Moreover, Paula served on the Phoenix Women's Commission for three years and was then appointed to the Futures Forum.

A 20 year breast cancer survivor, Paula is recipient of the Macy's For Hersake Heart and Soul Award and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Ribbon of Hope Award for her long standing advocacy efforts. Paula organized the AZ part of the movement to establish the National Breast Cancer Coalition. She was then selected and appointed to the Federal Government Grant Review Board which continues to award millions of dollars in research money for breast cancer research.

As President of Women in Management for a Fortune 500 company, Paula received gubernatorial, mayoral and tribal support throughout AZ when she created 1985 The Year for All Arizona Women. The project involved over 350 volunteers and presented 55 statewide events AND the first ever newspaper supplement on AZ Women in the AZ Republic. Its ripple effects are still being felt.

Paula continues to advocate for the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW by the US Congress. She has spoken on this issue numerous times to civic organizations and to on-campus student groups.

A member of the United Nations Association, Paula presented at the UN Conference for Women in Nairobi, Kenya, participated in the World Women's Conference in Moscow, and the UN Conference on the Environment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She recently organized and co-chaired the 60th anniversary dinner for the Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Three years ago, Paula noticed that American Greetings was not offering an e-card to recognize August 26th - Women's Equity Day which celebrates the 19th Amendment (Women's Suffrage). It took her one year of phoning and e-mailing the headquarters, but her persistence paid off and a free e-card card was create. She urges you to SEND THEM!

An entrepreneur at heart, Paula established the Scottsdale Education Center in the Scottsdale Airpark where she served the academic needs of over 350 students from 20 (mostly Scottsdale) schools for six year.

When Paula noticed that female chefs were receiving very little recognition, she created Getting Our Just Desserts, an all female pastry chef event, which was presented for five sweet years in Scottsdale. These female chefs represented the major resorts / restaurants in Scottsdale.

With a degree in Industrial Psychology and extensive studies in languages, Paula's professional background entails over 25 years of experience in management, marketing, public and community relations, strategic planning, fundraising, program development and implementation, advocacy, and volunteer coordination.

As AZ Director of a medical foundation, she worked closely with the staff at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale to develop and present a series of successful conferences.

An avid hiker, Paula has reached the heights in AZ - Mt Humphries and its depths - the Grand Canyon - including a hike from North Rim to South Rim in one day (13 hours). Her hikes in the Superstition Mountains (especially the Flat Iron) are most memorable.

Paula's passion for international travel has led her to writing articles for publication. Her goal is to encourage women to experience the joy of foreign travel, as they broaden their horizons. In December, she launched a website of her published travel articles and photos www.paulacullison.com.

Her husband Tim, daughter Pamela, and son Greg continue to support her AZWP efforts.
For this she is grateful.

LINKS:
http://lindaherold.com/wordpress/?p=1527
www.lindalandaz.com
http://vimeo.com/album/184365 (acceptance Speech - video clip by Lisa Platt)
http://www.womenofscottsdale.org/philanthropy09.htm
http://www.thewatchtree.com/profiles/blogs/women-of-scottsdale-names-2009


Women of Scottsdale


Woman of the Year Luncheon - Women of Scottsdale
February 19, 2010
By: Rada Tierney

Women of Scottsdale, one of the Valley's foremost networking organizations for women, named Paula Cullison as its 2009 Woman of the Year. Women of Scottsdale co-founders, Wink Blair and Linda M. Herold, along with WOS Director, Mary Contreras, presented Cullison with the award at the group's February luncheon held at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Cullison has devoted her professional and personal life to serving the community as an advocate of women's rights and a supporter of issues affecting women and girls. Cullison's current focus is the Arizona Women's Partnership, Inc. (AZWP), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that she created in 2002 to provide grants to grass roots charities that assist underserved women and children at risk here in Arizona. Cullison's influence has been felt on a global scale as well. As a member of the United Nations Association, she presented at the UN Conference for Women in Nairobi, Kenya, and participated in the World Women's Conference in Moscow. Cullison recently organized and co-chaired the 60th anniversary dinner for the Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The 20-year breast cancer survivor also championed the movement in Arizona to establish the National Breast Cancer Coalition. She was then selected and appointed to the Federal Government Grant Review Board which continues to award millions of dollars for breast cancer research. Women of Scottsdale announces its annual Woman of the Year every December and honors her in February.

Links:
www.womenofscottsdale.org
http://www.thewatchtree.com/profiles/blogs/women-of-scottsdale-names-2009

Kelly Zitlow, Paula Cullison, Mary Contreras


Previous Woman of the Year recipients attending: 1999 Sam Campana, 2002 Joan Fudala, 2004 Wink Blair, 2009 Paula Cullison, 2003 Hon. Carolyn Allen, 2007 Debbie Gaby, 2008 Hon. Mary Manross, 2000 Lois McFarland