R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : For Jehan Sadat, the Work Continues

Jehan Sadat brought her message of community service to 900 supporters of the Red Cross on Tuesday when she spoke at the organization’s second annual Clara Barton Spectrum Awards luncheon.

Taking her place beside the American and Red Cross flags--�they call it the Red Crescent in my country,� she noted--the widow of slain Egyptian President Anwar Sadat told luncheon guests at the Hyatt Regency Irvine that her mission was to carry on her husband’s work.

“He worked for peace, dignity and justice,� said Sadat, who is a professor at the University of Maryland. “And I have always been honored to be part of efforts that care for our fellow human beings, no matter their beliefs or where they live.�

When Anwar Sadat became the president of Egypt, Jehan said she asked herself: “What am I going to do? There are two ways to go, one much easier than the other. I could (only) be first lady, take care of myself, attend parties . . . meet official obligations. That would be easy for me to do. But I wanted to do something for my country.�

She went on to help institute a law that protected divorced Egyptian women against historical discrimination. “They call it Jehan’s Law.� Because of it, divorced women with children get to remain in the family home. “I wanted to keep the harmony of the family,� said Sadat, a mother of four and a grandmother of 10. “I love the strong ties of family.�

Sadat’s social activism has also included the establishment of a rehabilitation center for the treatment of disabled veterans and children, and the founding of the Arab African Women’s League.

“My religion (Islam) teaches that God comes to the aid of those who come to the aid of their fellow man,� she said.

After her talk, the following women were presented with the Clara Barton Spectrum Awards:

* Paula Burton of Villa Park, the Education Award. Concerned about student apathy toward the pledge of allegiance, Burton, a teacher, helped write a teaching manual about the pledge, including historical documents and student work sheets. She also established Celebration U.S.A., a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring American history.

* Charlotte Clarke of Fountain Valley, Environment Award. A biology teacher, Clarke has helped establish a local park and helped save the Hellman Ranch, a wetlands area in Seal Beach.

* Mary Piccione, Laguna Beach, Health Care Award. As executive director of the UCI Medical Center, Piccione has helped establish its Birthing Center and UCLA/UCI Liver Transplant Program.

* Mary Muth, Santa Ana, Humanitarian Award. Muth is co-founder of Las Amigas de San Jose, a fund-raising organization that helps support St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1974, she co-founded Catholic Charities Auxiliary.

Receiving special awards were Adriana Brenes-Rios of La Habra, who received the Youth Award; the San Clemente-Capistrano Branch of the American Assn. of University Women, the Group Award, and Barbara Quayle of Huntington Beach, the Elizabeth Dole Glass Ceiling Award.

Standing on the sidelines-- beaming-- were luncheon co-chairwomen Priscilla Sellman and Diane Lawson. “There are so many outstanding women in this county who have not been recognized,� said Lawson, who wore a bright red suit. “Today, it’s their turn.�

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“Superstar� party: Following the opening of “Jesus Christ Superstar� in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa on Tuesday night, arts supporters filed into South Coast Plaza to gawk at “Broadway at the Center,� a two-story photographic exhibit depicting eight years of musical theater at the center. Tommy Tune, Liza Minnelli, Sarah Brightman, Richard Chamberlain, Chita Rivera, Joel Grey--all are pictured around Jewel Court.

During the past eight years, the center has presented more than 50 touring Broadway musicals. Next up: “The Phantom of the Opera,� which opens July 22. Mark your calendar for the “Phantom� gala on July 23, which includes a post-performance gala dinner held on the center’s back lot. Tickets ranging from $165 to $1,000 are available. Call (714) 556-2121, ext. 251. Shari Esayian is chairwoman.