Wisdom Women of Fall 2022
Cynthia Bengtson
Meet Cynthia Bengtson
Cynthia Bengtson was born into a military family in Honolulu, Hawaii. She spent her childhood moving around a lot and therefore missed the chance to set down roots. To this day she regrets not being able to sing ”When You Walk Through a Storm" with the rest of her 8th grade graduating class in Germany. After graduating high school in Turkey, she attended college, first in Munich, Germany, and then at UCLA majoring in German. After college, Cynthia went to New York and became a secretary (who didn't type or take shorthand) for the Airline Pilots Association. She came to Los Angeles at the age of 22 – and our community has been blessed by her presence ever since.
Cynthia’s greatest passion is “to be helpful and to be of service,” says Ann Monahan. This is certainly evident in Cynthia’s volunteer work at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Thousand Oaks. Of her work at the museum, Cynthia says, “I am the co-chair of the docent council, schedule the docents, in charge of programs and attic sales, give tours, hire speakers, creator of the tea party and often do the readings.” Additionally, Cynthia has volunteered at the Goebel Adult Community Center in Thousand Oak for the last 8 years serving as a commissioner and program co-chair, providing her expertise with fundraising and program planning.
Cynthia definitely gives her heart and soul to her community.
At Global Truth Center, Cynthia holds the honor of the first "Kitchen Queen" heading up refreshments and is still the number one assistant in our kitchen on Sunday mornings helping with preparations.
When asked how she came to Science of Mind teaching, Cynthia says it was her sister who encouraged her to attend what was then called the Church of Religious Science when it was on Hillcrest Road in Thousand Oaks many years ago. She then attended what was then called the Center of Positive Living Pleasant Valley in Camarillo (now the Center for Spiritual Living Pleasant Valley). She then moved her membership to the Center for Spiritual Living Westlake Village and has remained through its transition to Global Truth Center. According to Cynthia, "Being in this teaching keeps me calm in stressful situations.”
What does this "wonder woman" wonder? “I wonder if I can get all of the things accomplished that I want,” she says. “Such as travel to the Galapagos Islands, go back to visit Germany and to see my children married and happy.”
In conclusion, Cynthia says “it’s very important to me to be nice to people, acknowledge them, be outgoing and notice the good in everyone."
Says Ann: “Cynthia is a woman who definitely lives up to her principles and frequently gives to the point of exhaustion. Our community is so blessed by her presence and passion for life, and the Wisdom Women’s group is delighted to proclaim her Wonder Woman of the Month.”