Board Members
Genevieve Douglass – 1999
Genevieve was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1952. She was raised in Seal Beach California from 1957 through 1970. She married Robert Douglass in 1971. They have two sons – Shawn now 28 and Daniel now 22. They were married for 27 years, until Bob’s untimely death from Agent Orange related Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on February 19, 1999.
Genevieve received her degree in Cosmetology in 1980 from Cerritos College. She owned a beauty salon for 22 years. She also has an internet business. She sold her salon to be able to devote more time to the Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition which she founded and organized in June 1999.
Her other community involvement includes: Veteran Widows International Network, Friends of the Long Beach Vietnam Veterans Memorial, United States Chamber of Commerce (President’s Legislative Council), Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce-Women’s Council Board of Directors and Women’s Outreach Chairperson (1999-present), member of Lymphoma Research Foundation, Founder and President of 7th Street Business Association (1991-1999), and Executive Board Member of the Council of Business Organizations (1997-1999) and campaigned for elected office to the city council in 1997 in Long Beach, California.
Diane Bowles – 2000
Diane was born in Canada in 1940. Subsequent to a failed marriage, she decided that she and her daughters, Dawn and Tracey, would fare better in the sunshine of Southern California. Diane and the girls arrived in Point Fermin in 1965 and in 1968 moved once again and settled in Lakewood, California. Diane met William (Bill) Bowles, Jr. the following year through a mutual friend. Bill had just returned from his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a 23-year career soldier, handsome, intelligent and vital. Diane and Bill fell in love and were married. Bill was a wonderful father to the two girls and his son Stephen rounded out their readymade family. In 1970, their son Daniel was born.
Bill and Diane both worked; he as a Purchasing Agent for the ABC School District and Diane as a manager with an insurance company. Bill also attended Cerritos College in the evening to obtain a degree.
When Bill first became ill, it was approximately 1975. This illness, initially diagnosed as asthma and psoriasis really wasn’t too frightening. However, as the years progressed, the various diagnoses he received from the military doctors at the Navy Hospital grew worse. From simple asthma, to chronic bronchitis, from psoriasis to a point where he had bald spots on his head and his skin condition was so bad it appeared burned. These conditions prompted the military doctors to determine that his illness was beyond their capabilities and knowledge. The military authorized Bill to seek help from the civilian medical community. Every year his health was further diminished and required longer hospital visits. In the end, a machine did his breathing. Bill died March 3, 1989 at the age of 57.
Daniel, Bill and Diane’s son was born with a number of health issues. Diane is researching the possibility that Daniel’s conditions are related to his father’s Agent Orange exposure.
Diane continues her work as Co- Director of the Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition, and is a member of The Retired Enlisted Association, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Gold Star Wives and the Vietnam Veterans of America Auxiliary.
Diane welcomes the opportunity to communicate with other widows, Vietnam Vets, their families and friends.
Daniel Douglass – 2020
U.S. Marine Corps, Captain (Ret.), aviator, musician, performer, son of Bob & Genevieve Douglass
Shawn Douglass – 2020
Musician, songwriter, performer, broadcast camera operator, audio engineer, business owner, son of Bob & Genevieve Douglass