Constance Lee Sharp

HOMES: Washington, DC; 2400 San Clemente Avenue, Alhambra, California;Boston, Massachusetts; Glendale, California; Pasadena, California; 25Beacon Bay, Newport Beach, California

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Moved from DC as a baby. Youngest graduate ofAlhambra High School Class of 1923. Musically gifted and giving localconcerts at seven. Obtained commercial radio operator's license fromState of CA in 1923. Attended MIT (Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology) in Boston at age 17 as one of it's first women (studiedchemistry and micropaleontology). Met Ford Sammis and married himafter they both graduated MIT. Came to California to join the Sharpclan. Was assistant to Dr. Arnold Beckman doing research on PH andelectronics. Was assistant to the curator at the Huntington ArtGalleries. Got her masters degree in journalism in 1950 at UCLA.Wrote a book about a woman's chance to excel after her children aregrown. Taught college (english, math, journalism) at the Los AngelesCity College in the 1960s. Wrote articles for the Christian ScienceMonitor for many years. Started business selling tapes to teachpeople how to write (The Writer's Workshop). Active in the ChristianScience Church. Took flying lessons in her 60s and loves sailing andmusic.

Devoted grandmother and great grandmother. Gina Sammis remembers"running away" to Connie's house many times when things were not toher liking at home. She'd come around the corner in her little redPorsche and pick up her sad little grand daughter and take her to thehaven of her Beacon Bay home where things always seemed safe. Hergrandchildren think of her with great reverence and acknowledge thestrong influence she has on their lives, especially the girls. Herweekly "make believe" time with her great grandchildren are cherishedand awaited with great anticipation.

As her grandmother, Clara Chapin, did, she has always been a strongproponent of women's rights and continues to urge her grand daughtersto strive to compete in a man's world. In fact, one of our favoritepictures is of eight year old Connie and her brother Bob in WTC sashesas they marched in a demonstration in support of temperance. She wasgreatly influenced by "Mama Chape", her maternal grandmother, who wasa diminutive force herself, working tirelessly for the Women'sTemperance Union and in support of women's suffrage. She was also ajournalist and writer and emigrated from Cheltenham, England as ateen.

Connie was considered a musical prodigy at 5 years old and learned toplay the piano by ear at 4. She played for audiences as a child, andher entire family had musical talent. She played the organ and pianofor churches her entire life and plays to this day at 95 years old.She believes the piano is the instrument of the Gods.