By Lauren Segal, Special to JTNews
The Seattle Chapter of Hadassah will honor life member and long-time philanthropist Althea Stroum at the Gala for Giving: A Salute to Heroes on Thursday, May 9, 2002, at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel.
Originally from New York City, Althea was drawn by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest to make Seattle her new home. It was here in Seattle that Althea met her lifelong partner and husband, Samuel N. Stroum. Their marriage of 58 years has been full of love, giving, sharing and helping. They have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Althea has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Israel Bond Woman of the Year Award, the Jewish Federation Woman of Distinction Award and an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University. She is also an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and was honored as “Outstanding Philanthropist” by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
I had the delightful honor of interviewing the Hadassah honoree for our Salute to Heroes, Althea Stroum. The Stroum passion for people has been felt far beyond the borders of Washington state. Althea’s life parallels what her mother inspired in her: Give of your time and of yourself. Throughout the interview, it became evident that Althea Stroum is very much a woman to emulate. Her involvement in humanitarian causes is an extension of her beliefs and way of life. Althea is confirmation that what you give, you get back tenfold — friendships, love, respect, achievement.
Here are excerpts from our interview:
Q. Together, you and Sam made a personal choice in life toward philanthropy. What were the driving forces behind this commitment?
A. This was mainly Sam’s vision. He was a born leader, and I tried to do the same. My mother was very involved in community, school and volunteering; thus, I have always been exposed to “giving.” My mother was a wonderful role model. She gave of her time and of herself.
Q. The dictionary definition of philanthropy is “love for mankind, and practical benevolence.” What does philanthropy mean to you?
A. It means that you give of yourself, encourage others, and make a difference in the lives of those whom you are supporting by creating an opportunity.
Q. With so many rewarding organizations and projects always in need of support, what criterion shapes your commitments?
A. You can’t say yes to everything, but the ones that are important to you, you get involved with, so you can give not just financially but with your time and experience. Sam and I gave with the philosophy that we should not be embarrassed about having our gift quoted. Not because we wanted a pat on the back, but because we wanted to encourage other people.
Q. The Stroum Lecture Series is an outstanding collaboration of Jewish studies. You must be very proud of this success.
A. I agree, they are wonderful. The series has inspired the continued interest of Jewish studies by Jews and non-Jews. Scholars from all over come to lecture on Jewish thought, history, religion and culture. This [lecture series] is one of the first in the United States to delve into Jewish studies. They get a marvelous attendance.
Q. What are some of your favorite aphorisms or words of wisdom?
A. “Give the way you live.” This is something I made up years ago. I also think that when you’ve been interested in people and have been there for them, all which you put in comes back stronger. This is not why you give, but if you have been a giving person, when you are in need, others will be there for you, and often much stronger than you had expected. My sister Hazel’s husband would say, “Cast your bread upon the water and it will come back tenfold.”
Mrs. Stroum has requested that monies raised through this fund-raising event be donated to the new Center for Emergency Medicine at Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. A matching grant to a maximum of $5 million for donations of $5,000 or more has been pledged. For more information or invitations, please contact the Hadassah office at 425-467-9099.
Special guest speaker for the evening will be Dee Dee Myers. She was the first woman and youngest person ever to serve under the Clinton administration as White House Press Secretary. Currently, Myers is a consultant for “The West Wing,” the NBC drama about the White House.