Back row, left to right: Gable Catherine Gering, Grace O’Malley, Elizabeth Adair, Eliza Jane Sandifer, Katherine Courteen Deardorff, Kathleen Duffy Keller, Alana Juanita Laurie; Middle row, left to right: Asher Rose Harris Rawlins, Grace Victoria Hutchins, Channing Van Petten Pauley, Cecily Paige Rasmussen, Lucy Jo Griffin, Julia Elizabeth Dillon Lokey, Aubrey Rae Wendling, Frances Louise Foy, Sarah Elizabeth Rocchio, Kelsey Grace Babcock; Front row, left to right: Penelope Lynn Nakasone, Cornelia Scott Halferty, Ruby Wilhemina Elliott, Katherine Shea Dietrick, Reilly Kathryn Robinson, Annie Shea High, Hailey Nan Webber, Talia Bahar Zafari. Photo by Nick Boswell Photography (Click on image to enlarge)
On December 21, 2024, Las Madrinas honored 26 young women and their families for their service to the Southern California community and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles during the Las Madrinas Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Guests from across Los Angeles and around the country gathered with the young women, their families, and the members of Las Madrinas in celebration. It was a joyous and festive evening in the annual tradition of the Las Madrinas Ball.
Sheridan Russell Link, the President of Las Madrinas, formally welcomed the families and guests in attendance and thanked everyone for joining Las Madrinas in its support of the research programs at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She spoke of Las Madrinas’ impact on Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the past 91 years, specifically highlighting the organization’s latest commitment to the Las Madrinas Endowment and Chair in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Mrs. Link then recognized the Ball Chair, Hilary Esketh Crahan, and the Debutante Chair, Michele Nishiyama Esbenshade, for their dedicated efforts in making the evening a smashing success.
Member husband Peter Varner Shoemaker announced the Debutantes. Larchmont Florist created the centerpieces and floral décor. The Wayne Foster Orchestra accompanied the Presentation of the Debutantes and played the traditional waltz that transitioned the party from presentation to celebration.
Top Row Left to Right: Lucy Jo Griffin, Katherine Shea Dietrick, Penelope Lynn Nakasone, Julia Elizabeth Dillon Lokey; Bottom Row Left to Right: Kelsey Grace Babcock, Cornelia Scott Halferty, Channing Van Petten Pauley, Annie Shea High, Frances Louise Foy. Photo by Nick Boswell Photography (Click on image to enlarge)
Las Madrinas was established in 1933 as the first Affiliate Group of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and has been supporting equity, quality, and innovation in pediatric care and research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for 91 years. Since 1939, Las Madrinas has honored families who have demonstrated a commitment to the civic, cultural, and philanthropic life of Southern California by presenting their daughters at the Las Madrinas Ball.
Donations made in honor of the young women, together with the annual support of Las Madrinas members and friends, have enabled Las Madrinas to complete 11 major projects at the hospital since 1988. Among these endeavors are 10 research endowments and a capital project on the Cardiovascular Floor totaling more than $32 million, and the current $5 million pledge to the Las Madrinas Endowment and Chair in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children’s hospital in California and among the best in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. The hospital is also one of America’s premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.
