Property Was Owned by Remarkable SAGE Founder Norma Jean Hotaling
San Francisco, CA – February 24, 2008 – Giving back to the community is a priority for Pacific Union Real Estate agents Lee Ann Monfredini and Bethany Patten, who are the listing agents for a modest Bayview home owned by a remarkably special woman, Norma Jean Hotaling. A nationally recognized advocate for the sexually exploited and founder of the nonprofit Standing Against Global Exploitation (SAGE), Hotaling recently passed away, leaving behind the property at 77 Pomona Street.
“This is a really good story about people caring about people,” said Monfredini. “Everyone has asked us what they can do to help.”
Hotaling’s story of survival, triumph and helping others has moved Monfredini and Patten to gather a team of professionals to help prepare the home for market. A former prostitute, drug addict and homeless, Hotaling overcame her childhood sexual abuse to become an innovative beacon dedicated to providing services and programs to help prostitutes get safe and change their lives. She was the recipient of Oprah Winfrey’s Angel award program and went on to not only found SAGE as a resource and counseling center for the sexually abused, but to help enact state legislation against pimps and johns, as well as assisting the San Francisco District Attorney’s office in creating a program for johns caught soliciting prostitutes. Her passionate work and dedication won her much praise, several awards, and the love of everyone whose life she touched.
“The women and girls we work with are the discards of society. I include myself in that description. We’ve come as close to death as anybody could and still survive. We’ve not only asserted that women and girls are worthy of help; we have shown that with the right nurturing and environment we can do more than heal. We can be so incredible and give back to our community and help make it safe for other women and girls,” said Hotaling. Her quote was featured on the cover of the program from her celebration of life service in December after her death at age 57. She lost a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
A public event to honor Hotaling is set for Monday, March 23 from 4-6 PM in the North Court of San Francisco City Hall.
Proceeds from the sale of the property will be donated to SAGE, after the mortgage is paid. Monfredini and Patten, Chris Breining and Bill Upton of HomeStagers Inc., and Ricardo Marino Painting are all donating their time and efforts to the cause.
In 2000, Hotaling purchased the two bedroom, one bathroom home with a backyard she shared with her beloved dogs. The home has a livingroom, dining room and kitchen, the second bedroom/office is upstairs with lots of natural light, plus a long and wide garage for a large car and huge storage areas. “The house needs a lot of love and attention and could be charming, the possibilities are endless,” said Monfredini.
To contact the Monfredini/Patten team, visit www.SanFranciscoHomeSolutions.com, call Monfredini at 415.345.3133 or email leann.monfredini@pacunion.com; call Patten at 415.929.7100 or email bethany.patten@pacunion.com. They are based at Pacific Union’s Presidio headquarters office.
Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate
Since 1975, Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate has thoughtfully matched generations of buyers and sellers throughout the entire Bay Area. Pacific Union GMAC focuses on delivering outstanding quality and unparalleled service to a full spectrum of discerning clients. Pacific Union GMAC is the 2008 recipient of two distinguished four star Americas Property Awards in association with CNBC and The New York Times as the Best Real Estate Firm in California and for the Best Real Estate Agency Marketing in the USA for superior marketing materials and client services in the luxury marketplace. A premier, locally managed brokerage with knowledgeable, experienced real estate professionals, Pacific Union GMAC takes a leading edge to new technology applications designed to enhance the client experience. Pacific Union is a GMAC Home Services company. For more information, visit www.pacunion.com.