Figuring out what drives someone’s generosity isn’t easy. Motivation can come from an emotional connection with an individual, or a personal experience of hardship. For Edith Dabbs, it’s not the what that’s important, it’s the why.
A builder of multicultural understanding and hope, Edith Dabbs taught ESL and citizenship classes at Continuing Education’s Centre City Campus from 1956 to 2003. For 47 years, she did what she loved best, which was help people.
While no longer contributing in the classroom on a daily basis, Dabbs still helps people by offering a scholarship to a Continuing Education student who wants to further their education.
“It doesn’t take a lot to make someone feel important,” she says, “giving them something can do it.” Perhaps that’s the what motivation behind her generosity.
She made her initial donation in 1983 while she was still teaching, and Dabbs remembers precisely what drove her to write the first check.
“Two sisters took turns attending business class to learn typing, and I remember them well,” she said. “One had two small children, and the other had three. Between them, they traded-off caring for the children so the other could attend class.”
The dedication of the students, and their commitment to education, sparked Dabbs to help them beyond her classroom. The first Edith Dabbs scholarship of $200 was given to one of the sisters.
At the time, and even today, Dabbs humbly considers it a privilege to provide the scholarship. Each year she attends the Continuing Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony to meet the recipient of her gift, and hear their plans.
This year, Dabbs met Blanca Lopez, who will continue her education in a Culinary Arts college program.
“The visit feels like coming home,” Dabbs said. “The need is here, the students are here, and that’s why my gift is here.”
Dabbs also remains generous with her time. She has devoted decades of volunteer hours for organizations such as the California Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is an international effort, and the largest group of women volunteers in the world.
Dabbs has been affiliated with the local group for more than 53 years, and served on the California State Board in a leadership role for 14 years. She is past President of the Allied Gardens Woman’s Club, and the San Diego Woman’s Club, where she was recently honored as a new inductee to the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame. Dabbs shares the great honor with other well-known San Diego women, including Bonnie Dumanis, Joan Embery, Joan B. Kroc, Judge Elizabeth Riggs, Ellen Browning Scripps, and Kate Sessions.
The Edith Dabbs Scholarship to Continuing Education is the longest running donation on record for the organization. The award is available to a single, female parent in sole support of her children.
