Some of the women who make extraordinary contributions to Stanislaus County will be honored at a lunch next month.

The Stanislaus County Commission for Women will hold its 45th annual Women of Stanislaus County Awards Brunch on March 9 at 10 a.m. at Greens on Tenth, 953 10th St., Modesto.

This year’s honorees include Turlock residents Allison Jeffery, the associate director of research cohorts for Legacy Health Endowment and EMC Health Foundation, and attorney Betty Julian, who is affiliated with the Letters to Santa charity.

“I am absolutely honored,” said Jeffery. “And what’s most amazing about it, if you look at list of honorees, it’s the best of the best of our community. I can’t believe I made the list. I’m very excited very honored to join the others on this list. They are all amazing honorees.”

At Legacy Health, Jeffery works alongside local organizations in Stanislaus and Merced counties to improve health and mental health access. She has bachelor of science degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration.

Jeffrey has also spent years working on community task forces, with chamber groups, committing time to local schools, and volunteering for non-profits. Her current community roles include: 

• Kiwanis of Greater Turlock Vice President of Administration & Exiting Two-Term President
• Prior President of the Stanislaus Health Foundation & Current Board Member 
• Advisory Board Chair for the Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program 
• Turlock Certified Farmers Market Board Vice President
• City of Turlock Community Development Block Grant Committee Member
• Stanislaus County Mental Health Stakeholder & Suicide Prevention and Education Coalition Member
• Kiwanis International Distinguished Member 2022 (the club was Stan County AFP Philanthropy Organization of the Year during her term)
• TUSD Superintendents Advisory Panel Representative for Turlock Junior High School
• 2023 Salvation Army Diva Awardee

Jeffrey has also held past positions as a city of Turlock Park, Arts, and Recreation Commissioner (2020-2023),  Stanislaus County Suicide Prevention Innovation Committee, Turlock Junior High School Site Council,  and Julien Elementary School Site Council President and PTA President. She recently joined the Turlock Certified Farmers Market board of directors.

“The most amazing thing is that, as a mother of two girls, I get to take my daughters into this and talk about women who are making a difference,” said Jeffery. “I’m truly honored that I get to be a part of it.”

Julian is a graduate of Turlock High School and Santa Clara University. After graduating from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, Julian joined the Modesto law firm of Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher and Silva in 2002. In 2009, Julian joined McCormick Barstow, and currently serves as practice group co-chair for the Modesto office. She has concentrated her practice in the area of family law since 2009 and has been a certified family-law specialist.

Julian is also active in non-profit work with the Letters to Santa charity, which works with school districts in Turlock, Denair, Keyes, Ceres, Modesto and Waterford to identify students most in need during the holidays. Last year, it was named by Turlock Unified School District as the Volunteer Organization of the Year for its work in 2022.

While there isn’t a date yet set for the 2024 Letters to Santa event, those interested can visit letters2santacharity.com to receive updates.

In addition to Letters to Santa, Julian is president of the Stanislaus County Bar Association, a board member of the Stanislaus Family Justice Center, and a member of the Assyrian-American Civic Club of Turlock.

“I am 100 percent surprised by this honor,” said Julian, who was born in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to the U.S. when she was just 2 years old. “I had no idea I was even nominated.”

Julian is the daughter of William and Margarit Julian. He was a real-estate broker and contractor, and Margarit owned and operated a hair salon. Julian says they taught her the value of giving back to one’s community.

“My father thought it was more important to give and to make other people happy; he enjoyed that. And my mother used to go to assisted-living facilities and give the residents there free haircuts,” said Julian. “My parents were very rooted in giving back to their community.”

Julian said she hopes to pass on that legacy to her two sons, 17-year-old Joshua Julian Abadi, a junior at Pitman High School, and 13-year-old Patrick Julian Abadi, an eighth-grader at Turlock Junior High. 

“I hope they grow up to have kind, gentle hearts, and that they give and love without expecting something back,” said Julian. 

Also being honored are May Rico, Marjorie Derby, Amanda Hughes, Amy Abid Jeffries, Ruth Luman, and Colleen Preston.

Outstanding Young Women honorees include Damaris Diaz, Reece Riley, and Audrey Rosenow.

The Bette Belle Smith Award, named for the longtime community supporter, went to Amy Wolf.

The SCCW is a philanthropic organization that advocates for women, and acknowledges women who are leaders and making a difference in their communities.