The Anne Banning Leadership Award is named after the founder of Assistance League, who promoted the growth of effective volunteerism through leadership and education. Anne Banning and a group of twelve friends, including Ada Edwards Laughlin, formed Assistance League to provide food and clothing for local families severely impacted by World War I. The first chapter, Assistance League of Southern California, was organized by Mrs. Banning in 1919.  There are now 120 chapters nationwide.  The Anne Banning Leadership award demonstrates the importance and value of leadership to Assistance League chapters, while also honoring the accomplishments and dedication of the recipient.

Recipients:

2023 – Gloria Fowler

Ada Edwards Laughlin Award recipients are chapter members who have been a member for a significant number of years, and have given outstanding “behind the scenes” service. The award is named for the co-founder of Assistance League who was less visible and filled the role of hardworking “behind the scenes” assistant to Anne Banning. She was active in many Los Angeles organizations but her favorite was Assistance League. She was instrumental in the development of Assistance League as a national organization in 1935.  The first National Ada Edwards Laughlin award was presented to Santa Monica member Anne Salenger in 2015.

Recipients:

2014 – Marti Desmond
2015 – Dorothy Thatcher
2016 – Roberta Dunmore
2017 – Anne Salenger
2018 – Jeannine Richards
2019 – Barbara Parker
2023 – Sue Ferrell