Louise Gabriel
Louise has given over 50 years of ongoing service to the community benefiting the young, elderly and disadvantaged, in civic affairs and historical activities. She has been recognized by numerous organizations, the City and County for her selfless service to benefit others.
She is the founder and president of the Santa Monica History Museum and has authored two books donating the royalties to the museum.
PAST SERVICE:
President, Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club
President, Santa Monica Boys Club Auxiliary
President, Santa Monica Hospital Auxiliary
President, Santa Monica College Patrons
President, Salvation Army Auxiliary
President, Santa Monica Historical Society
President, Marina Satellites, California Federation of Women’s Club
Chair, Salvation Army Advisory Board (served on the board 25 years)
Chair, Women’s Council, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Chair, 100 Anniversary Celebration for the Santa Monica Salvation Army
Chair, Salvation Army Auxiliary Annual Benefit for needy children (30 years)
Chair, Bicentennial of the Constitution Celebration for the City of Santa Monica
Chair, Rose Float, Pasadena Tournament of Roses for Chamber of Commerce and City of Santa Monica
Chair, Chamber of Commerce, City Beautiful Awards
Chair, 100 Anniversary Celebration for comedian, Stan Laurel
District chair, Marina District 18, Federation of Women’s Clubs (served over 27 clubs)
Co-chair, the 125th birthday celebration of the City of Santa Monica
Board Chair, Project Lift (a program for the developmentally disabled (initiated first fundraisers)
Board Member, Santa Monica Westside Bay Area Health Screening Clinic for the elderly
Board Member, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Santa Monica Hospital Board of Trustees
Advisory Board Member, Santa Monica College (7 years)
Board Member, Santa Monica Breakfast Club
Served on the Historical Activities Committee of Santa Monica Centennial Celebration in 1975
Past Girl Scout & Brownie Leader
Volunteered 460 certified hours at the Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center
RECOGNITION SERVICE AWARDS:
YWCA, Woman Of The Year award-1984
Humanitarian Award, National Conference Of Christians & Jews, 1977
National Boys Club service award, Santa Monica Boys Club
Plaque of Commendation on behalf of Santa Monica by Mayor Clo Hoover, 1975
Community Service Plaque, Sunrise Optimist Club of Santa Monica
Kiwanis Community Service Plaque
Chosen as the Santa Monica Independent Journal ‘s Centennial cover Girl for the 1975 edition of “Wonderful World of Women”
Citizen Of The Year award, Santa Monica Board Of Realtors, 1978
“OTHERS” award, Salvation Army, 1979
Commendation Plaque, Santa Monica Salvation Army
Commendation, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 1979
Recognition For Service award, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Honorary Service award, Santa Monica College Patrons, 1980
Certificate Of Appreciation from Advocate for the Quiet Minority for services and contributions benefiting individuals with developmental disability-AQM, Project LIFT, 1981
Certificate Of Recognition, YWCA, Women Of The Year dinner, 1984
Community Recognition Award, Santa Monica Lions Club, 1982
Commendation from Mayor Ruth Yanatta Goldway for being a long time provider of philanthropic service in the City of Santa Monica and for an exemplary contributions to the people of Santa Monica, 1982
Three first-place State Awards from the California Federation of Women’s Club
Citation, National Federation of Music Club for promoting music in the community
Numerous First Place Awards from Marina District 18 for contributions to the community
Public Education, Scholarships, Community Improvement and Music
Preservation – Education Award as Museum Founder for the Santa Monica Historical Society
Centennial Award, Salvation Army for chairing its 100th Anniversary Celebration
Dedicated Service plaque from Salvation Army Auxiliary
League of United Latin American Citizen Community Unity Award, 1999
Elks Club Citizen Of The Year Award
Santa Monica Breakfast Club, World Of Thanks Award
Chamber of Commerce, Roy E. Naylor Award
Center For Healthy Aging, Recognition Award, 1985
Rotary Foundation Award
Conference of California Historical Societies, Award Of Merit
Santa Monica Boys Club Auxiliary, Outstanding Leadership Award, 1978
Special Thanks, Santa Monica Salvation Army Auxiliary for 30 years as benefit chair
Certificate of Recognition, Assembly Member, Richard Bloom, 2013
SERVICE Award, Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, 1972
You can read more about Louise and her history with the museum in this article:
Louise Gabriel: A Santa Monica Pillar With Passion For History
Lynne Bronstein
Santa Monica Mirror Contributor
Past Presidents of the Santa Monica Historical Society (now Santa Monica History Museum)
Clo Hoover — First Female Mayor of Santa Monica
David Cameron — Attorney, Historian
Louise Gabriel — Community Leader, An Incorporator
Lolita Lowell — 4th Generation Californian, Historian
Andrew Carrillo — Descendant of First Judge of Santa Monica J.J. Carrillo