AROUND TOWN

Empowering Women

Attorney Gloria Allred addresses this year's Woman's World crowd.

Franci Goldstein of Farmington, Halley Uzansky of Bloomfield Hills and Fran

Lisa Chaben and Melanee Radner, both of West Bloomfield

Uzansky of Birmingham

S

he has taken on presidents, corporations and sexual predators and Gloria
Allred has made a name for herself fighting against injustice, discrimina-
tion and sexual violence. The high-powered attorney, a founding partner
in her Los Angeles-based law firm, radio talk show host and television commenta-
tor on various cable-TV networks, was this year's keynote speaker at Lois Linden
Nelson Woman's World 2010. About 450 people gathered at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield for the annual fund-
raiser sponsored by the Sisterhood, which also included a lun-
cheon, boutique shopping and an "over the top" raffle.
"Gloria Allred spoke about women empowering themselves:'
said Sisterhood President Jeri Fishman of Southfield. "She talk-
ed about her book, Fight Back and Win: My 30-Year Fight Against
Injustice and How You Can Win Your Own Battles and we also
sold autographed copies of the book?'
Allred has represented harmed parties in celebrity cases involv-
ing accused wife-killer O.J. Simpson, convicted wife-killer Scott
Peterson, pugilistic rocker Tommy Lee and fired pregnant actress
Hunter Tylo. But she also represents everyday people in civil rights

Julie Nelson-Klein of West Bloomfield
and Karyn Sokol of Birmingham

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May 20 • 2010

Shirley Ruzumna of West Bloomfield
with her daughter, Ilene Lubell

cases. On her website, she says, "I truly believe that the power that resides within me resides
within everyone. Find it, use it, and learn how to tap into your own strength. Even if you
are not famous or wealthy, and even if you do not have the best education, you still have the
power to win change at home, at your workplace, in your school and in your community."
During the event, longtime CSZ Sisterhood member Shirley Ruzumna of West Bloomfield
was honored with the "Woman of Valor" award for her years of dedication and service.
"Shirley has held many offices and has overseen many events for Sisterhood," Fishman
said. "She led the preparation and serving of meals for the social action committee; pro-
viding meals for those less fortunate was truly her most rewarding experience. Shirley's
mandelbread is also legendary at Shaarey Zedek."
Money raised at Woman's World supports special projects at the synagogue and
in the community; 3 percent of all proceeds benefit Mazon: A Jewish Response to
Hunger, the Los Angeles-based hunger relief organization.
Spotted in the crowd were: Event co-chairs Julie Nelson-Klein of West Bloomfield
and Karyn Sokol of Birmingham; Denise Kalt, Linda Cohen and Kari Alterman, all
of Franklin; Debra Ribitwer, Susan Tapper and Gloria Meer, all of Bloomfield Hills;
Suzi Terebelo of Southfield; and Anita Naftaly, Cindy Scharg and Laynie Langnas,
all of West Bloomfield.

❑

Sandi Matz of Franklin and Jacqui Elkus

Jeri Fishman of Southfield with featured

of West Bloomfield

speaker Gloria Allred