By Susan DeMaggio
Four La Jollans were among The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary 2014 “Women of Dedication,” selected for their outstanding service work in the community. The honorees were introduced Nov. 7, 2013 at a Presentation Tea hosted by member Terry Cooper at her La Jolla home.
La Jollans Jeanette Day, Cynthia Kronemyer, Mary Mulvihill and Anseth Page Richards, will join 10 other area humanitarians to be feted at the 49th annual Women of Dedication luncheon and fundraiser, Tuesday, April 9, 2014 at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina.
The Women of Dedication (WoD) were chosen by an anonymous selection committee comprised of five previous WoD, who met to review the nominations submitted by other past WoD recipients.
Among the many programs supported by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary are The Door of Hope (for pregnant teens), The Haven (a therapeutic group home for foster care teens who are parenting), Transitional Living Center (for homeless mothers and children), Adult Rehabilitation Center Women’s Residence, and Betty’s House (a residential program for victims of human trafficking).
For more information about joining or supporting the Women’s Auxiliary, visit
or call Pamela Lennen at (619) 446-0273.
• Jeanette Day
Jeanette Day is an attorney who represents children as a Deputy Public Defender in the Juvenile Division, and formerly with “Office of Children’s Counsel.” Her volunteerism began as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer during college when she developed a latchkey program for youth without supervision after school.
Day envisioned and coordinated the renovation of Hillcrest Receiving Home, a shelter for abused children, cultivating the support of civic leaders, businesses, service organizations, raising more than $300,000.
She was a member of the San Diego Junior League and has served on many foundations and boards, as well three terms on the San Diego County’s Children, Youth and Families Commission. She is a founding board member of Friends of Children and The Coming Together Foundation.
With awareness of the unique and critical needs of foster children, Jeanette co-founded “Just in Time for Foster Youth,” a successful non-profit whose programs help steer foster youth into productive adulthood. One of the first foster youth she mentored through JIT, has not only been in her life for 13 years, but Day now proudly calls her daughter.
• Cynthia Kronemyer
Organizations that benefit children are especially dear to Cynthia Kronemyer’s heart. She combined her love of teaching and volunteering to establish the Service Learning Program at La Jolla Elementary School. For the past five years, under her tutelage, students have done monthly service projects to learn about the needs of the community. These included the San Diego River Park Foundation, Rwandan Orphans Project, Storefront, San Diego Food Bank, Hand-up Pantry, Soles for Souls, The Spay and Neuter Action Project, Words Alive, The Community Resource Center, Alpha Project and The NEGU Foundation (Never Ever Give Up-Kids Fighting Cancer).
Kronmyer has served as president of The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and Scripps Ranch Theatre, and as vice president of The Junior League of San Diego. She has also chaired St. Germaine’s Silver Tea. Married for 27 years, she and her husband, Dan, are the parents of 13-year-old twins.
• Mary Mulvihill
Mary Mulvihill has a long history as a member of the Juniors of Social Service, assisting the Sisters of Social Service with their work in San Diego and at Camp Oliver, Descanso, helping children for 60 years. She was president of All Hallows Parent Teachers Board and is a member of St. Germaine Children’s Charity.
Mulvihill’s interest in education resulted in her membership in ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation, whose mission is to advance science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, engineering and medical research.
Mulvihill supported her husband Dan, in founding the Mercy Foundation in 1985, which has raised more than $100 million for the needs of Mercy Hospital. They were founding members of the San Diego Chapter of The American Ireland Fund, raising money for peace, culture and charity in Ireland for 30 years. The couple has been married for 58 years and has four sons, two daughters and 12 grandchildren.
• Anseth Page Richards
Anseth Richards is a wedding and event designer who has won many industry awards. She served as the national programs director for the Wedding Industry Professional Association and serves as the So Cal Regional Vice President. She owns “the ART Nest” gallery in Bird Rock, exhibiting an array of local talent.
Richards is a second-generation member of Las Patronas, co-chairing and designing Jewel Balls. She’s also chaired many galas for the Foundation of La Jolla High and served National Charity League for nine years, producing their last five Senior Recognitions and fashion shows.
She was vice president of San Diego Junior Assembly and helped produce the La Jolla Debutant Ball.
As a board member for the Mount Soledad Association, Richards produced its Millennium Celebration for Peace, raising initial funds for the Mount Soledad Veterans’ Memorial. She is a past president of Stella Maris Academy PTO and chaired its annual gala many times.
Today she focuses her attention on women’s health to raise awareness and funds for the National Cheers Foundation.
Richards is a native La Jollan. She is married to Keith, and the couple has four children and two grandchildren.
Masked ball patrons raise funds for women’s health to support National Cheers Foundation in La Jolla