TOASTMASTER HAS MADE HER MARK.

Byline: Jean Russell Vogel Community Columnist

Wendy Farrow, an international board member of Toastmasters International, will discuss ``The Joy of Leadership'' at the Simi Valley Toastmasters Club meeting on Nov. 7.

Farrow is a successful businesswoman and Toastmaster leader at every level, beginning with the local club, says club President Lou Abbey.

Farrow recalled that her husband, Kevan, a swimming pool designer and builder, had so much fun at Toastmaster meetings that she decided to follow him into the club in 1979.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ, 370 Royal Ave.

The Farrows and their two children, all natives of England, settled in Simi Valley in 1973 after a short sojourn in the San Fernando Valley. Graeme and Kay grew up here, while their mother made her mark in the business world, becoming the first female supervisor in Union Oil Company's downtown accounting department.

She also did sales training and evaluation and became a frequently requested Toastmaster speaker in and beyond the California district she served as governor. Farrow was the only woman speaker at the gathering of New Zealand Toastmasters in early 1985 when membership there excluded women.

Toastmasters' Central California-Southern Nevada district conferred on Farrow the 1984-85 ``Spark Plug'' award.

The ``Spark Plug'' was also cited in 1985 as Simi Valley's Woman of Achievement by the local branch of the American Association of University Women. She was the second to receive the designation established in 1984 to recognize women whose lives embody the AAUW goals for women: increasing equity in education, continuing personal growth throughout the life span, and working for social change.

Farrow believes that Toastmasters' practice of peer evaluation has special value for developing confidence, communications skills and leadership for girls and women whose careers do not offer this kind of stimulating feedback.

After 20 years in Simi Valley, Kevan Farrow retired, and the couple moved their residence and their Toastmasters' memberships to Las Vegas.

However, Wendy Farrow's Simi Valley employer, Schlumberger Technologies, is not yet willing to give up her expertise as a trainer in accounting and quality control. She says living in two places has become more appealing since the arrival of a grandchild in Simi Valley.

Earlier this month, the Toastmaster clubs of Ventura County celebrated Farrow's election as international board member at a dinner in Oxnard. She has rejoined her original club, but her board responsibilities leave little time for regular meetings.

The Simi Valley Toastmasters meet on the first Thursday evening of the month. For more information, call 527-4703.