Rubicon Theatre Company's "Extraordinary Women" campaign this month resulted in the acknowledgment of many women honored for inspiring or making a difference in the lives of children, parents, friends and community.

Two women will be celebrated at Rubicon's Grandes Dames volunteer auxiliary luncheon at 11:15 a.m. June 5 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard. Lunch reservations for Grandes Dames members (Rubicon's volunteer organization) and their guests are $35. Reservations for the general public are $45 and must be made by Friday by calling Amber Landis at 667-2912, ext. 239.

At the luncheon, two Broadway veterans, Susan Egan, who originated the role of Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" in New York and also played leading roles in "Cabaret," "State Fair" and "Triumph of Love," and Jason Graae, who was in the original Broadway cast of "Grand Night for Singing," "Falsettos" and "Stardust," will perform a special number to celebrate the luncheon's two honorees, Jodi Woolwine and Wendy Giroux.

The luncheon also includes a preview with director Rod Lathim and actor Remi Sandri of Rubicon's coming presentation, "Children of a Lesser God."

Among the information submitted for the "Extraordinary Women" honor was the story of Ojai resident Woolwine, an employee of Ojai Community Bank. She was nominated by Shari Skinner, Ojai Community Bank president and chief executive officer. The bank made a donation to Rubicon's "Extraordinary Women" campaign in acknowledgement of Woolwine's kidney donation to Giroux.

The two have been friends for more than 22 years, but the transplant episode began in September. Giroux's kidneys had been struggling, and she was preparing for a transplant from her husband when his own medical issues prevented them from going forward. A cousin also volunteered her kidney, but was turned down as a donor match. That's when Woolwine stepped up to the plate and was a match.

The women underwent surgery April 12 Woolwine's left kidney was removed via laparoscopic surgery at UCLA Medical Center and transplanted in Giroux.

Both women are recuperating. Woolwine plans to go back to work after Memorial Day weekend and Giroux is targeting a date soon after that.