News Scrapbook 1970-1972

. ~n who takes charge for good causes By GEN FORTIS

Ball, which raised $56,000 in two years for law scholarships at the University of San Diego. What most women do not realize is the effort which it takes to perform such a task. To do this one, Portia had an office in the law school at the university. She was there from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week. She managed her conunittees as would a top executive in a big corporation. No one has repeated this particular effort, probably because the challenge is so great. Black cigarettes with gold tips were especially ordered from New York to be placed in baroque white holders set on the black covered tables under the three-foot gold candleabra mounted with three-foot black tapers. The piece de resistance was the blackout of the huge crystal chandeliers to allow waiters to enter the large ballroom from all sides holding over their heads, with white gloved hands, large trays containing lighted 24-inch black tapers set amidst the tops of entire pinneapples. WHAT IS this always-active, charming and elegant woman involved in now? "I am working to save the culture of San Diego-to get the citizens to vote yes on Proposition B and save the culture of our city. Even the kids I talk to on the street believe that this is our culture, although it is not truly Spanish. But it is ours. And Proposition B will replace in permanent form the old deteriorated Electric Building with the same well-loved facade to maintain the heritage of our city," she declares. It just might be that with her support, plus her large conunittee of 100, this is one proposition which might pass. As Portia used to end her radio show in 1943: "Women, God bless them, are magnificent."

WITH DR. MARGARET STERN, w 11 known Detroit educator, she gained the s pport of philantrophist and chemical firm chi f Henry Reichold to save the Detroit Sympho . She also obtained the support of Bernard Heiden, a member of the fading sy phony's string section, to collect his friends for series of concerts sponsored by the AWVS. War bonds were the price of admissi n. When Reichold saw how successful the proje was, he brought the first opera, the San Car Opera Company, to the automotive town a another step to improve the cul e of the burly ·ty. Now, a beautiful opera house exis on the shores of the Detroit River. FOR HER HEALTH, the Merriams Scottsdale, where the judge was a mem r Qf the Sheriffs' Posse. There, he was a familia sight on his palomino with silver saddle and g r. Portia wasn't idle in Arizona. She h lped the hitherto quiet town to blossom. She steered to success the first tea dance at the Biltm eHotel, where the Merriams resided in a ho e on the grounds. She also instigated the first s phony bal~ believing that "women are insp' ed to do things." In 1953, she found that a clinic dedicated to · deaf, dumb and invalided children was · need of funds. So she gave a supper dance at the Backstage Club and raised $10,000. Mrs. Sam ell, who resides here and in Scottsdale, now is charge of this project, for which a party is given every year. ONMOVING to La Jolla, Portia joinedMarion Longstreth in her arduous battle in behalf of the La Jolla Theatre and Arts Foundation. PROBABLY one of the biggest jobs this woman "doer" has performed is the C ncellors

This "little oman" truly is petite. But anyone who has known her, worked with her or enjoyed her company t parties knows that she carries a true sense of strength into anything she does. The woman is Mri;. De Witt Merriam, known affectionately in Detroit, Scottsdale and La Jolla as "Portia." She stands mere 5'2". She is known for her fabulous colle ·onof Oriental art, including jade handles on h r dresser knobs. She becomes the center of attention whenever she sweeps into a room, in either understated elegant cloth for daytime or couture designs for evening. BUT, POR is most fond of being a per- former in the truest sense-a woman who is contributing to or directing something which will assist her fe man. Her first · job was as chairman of the Michigan A erican Women's Volunteer Ser- vices with Mr .Frederick Ford from 1942 to 1945. In those days her husband, the late Judge De Witt Merriam, was sitting on the bench in Detroit. She was appointed a colonel in the Michigan state militia f r her physical fitness program for women war orkers. Thousands womenwere allowed time off the assembly lin to participate in the exercise programs th t AWVS offered; management believed tha the exercising increased the women's productivity. She went to ew York and directed the design of the unifo which the women wore. She marched with them on Belle Isle, the island in the middle of the Detroit River. The AWVS •as only one of Portia's programs for Detroit.