2025 Gala – History Isn’t Trivial

Postcard with palm trees and text: Santa Monica and Save the date Sunday, October 19

Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club
1210 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

ANNUAL GALA TRIBUTE DINNER

HISTORY ISN'T TRIVIAL

Sunday, October 19, 2025

4pm – 8pm (PDT)

This year’s event takes place at the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club where we honor Sam and Paulette Kardashian, and Bruria Finkel.

Music by Samohi Jazz Group

Dinner by Chef Jaydene

Distinguished Honorees

SAM AND PAULETTE KARDASHIAN

The Louise B. Gabriel Award is presented to Sam and Paulette Kardashian, philanthropists and community leaders and owners of Southern California Disposal & Recycling Company, the company known for flying a 30’x50′ American flag on a 100-foot flagpole beside the Santa Monica freeway. They also added a POW/MIA flag, which resonated with veterans and the community. As the son of Armenian immigrants, Kardashian embraced his American identity. Married to his wife, Paulette, since 1964, they dedicated their lives to family and community and their daughter and son, and grandchildren live in Santa Monica. Paulette Kardashian was appointed by Louise B. Gabriel to be the head docent a the firs site of the Santa Monica History Museum. The Kardashians’ strong love for their country and commitment to Santa Monica inspires all who have known them.

BRURIA FINKEL

Bruria Finkel, a renowned artist and educator, is the first ever artist honored by Santa Monica History Museum. She has been a transformative force in the Santa Monica art scene since 1959 and receives the Museum’s Community Award. Originally from Jerusalem, she works in diverse mediums including pottery, painting, and sculpture, with works exhibited locally and internationally. Her notable exhibitions include “Across Time, Space and The Ages” in Germany and “The Complete Aleph Series” in California. As a curator, she has organized significant shows, including “Women Artists of Southern California Then and Now.” Beyond her artistic endeavors, Finkel advocates for women and the arts, as a co-founder of the Santa Monica Arts Commission and as a founding member of the Los Angeles Council of Women Artists.

We are grateful for the generous support and sponsorship of the following organizations and individuals