Karima Magazine May-June2107

Mimi Eberhardt
MIMI EBERHARDT —Devoted Wife, Mother,
Business Woman (Banking), Philanthropist
Advice for those Desiring to Start a Business: Mimi had this wisdom to share with us
regarding anyone who is considering entrepreneurship. “It’s the hardest thing you probably
will ever do, but the most rewarding as well. Don’t give up!
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Background
Mimi Eberhardt was a native of San Francisco who moved to
Stockton after marrying her husband. Upon marriage, Mimi
quickly realized that she would play dual roles as she helped
her husband at home as well as in the market place. “I got
into banking when I married my husband, Bob Eberhardt,
who was the 7th President of the Bank of Stockton in its 150
year history, His father was President of the bank before him,
and when I married Bob, I became a banker’s wife, and accompanied
him to many conferences, as well as became very
involved in the local community, helping many great causes,”
said Mimi.
Finding Balance & Navigating Tough Times
As the mother of four daughters, Mimi had to had to figure
out how to balance family while continuing to be the face of
the bank with her husband. “Bob was a very busy man, not
only as President of the Bank, but as an avid outdoorsman
who was very involved in Ducks Unlimited, and University of
the Pacific, as well as the Community Bankers Association, to
name just a few. Sometimes it got hectic, but looking back,
those were fun days. The way to overcome difficulties is to
havea positive attitude and keep moving forward.” And when
faced with the loss of her husband, she did just that, “We unexpectedly
lost Bob in 1994, and it was very difficult, but my
brother-in-law, Douglass, took the helm to run the Bank of
Stockton, and we moved forward as positively as we could,
and Bob would be very proud of all of us.”
A Heart to Help
Mimi’s compassion and commitment to her community has
touched countless lives. She was the co-chair of the M*A*S*H
party held at the Stockton airport, which raised money for the
Medi-Flight helicopter at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was the
founding Director of “Hug Me Bears, “which provided teddy
bears for abused children. She was also a founding member
of University of the Pacific’s “Orange Aid,” a women’s group
that assists with community relations and welcomes perspectivestudents.
She is a founding member of Friends of
the Blind Center, she is a co-founder of group that is named
“Ruffled Feathers.” It is the ladies auxiliary of Ducks Unlimited
and acquires funding to help maintain and develop habitats
for waterfowl species.
She has also held the position of director of Goodwill
Industries. She is a founding member of Haggin Museum
Junior Women’s Group, director of Allen Short Gallery, a director
of “Sunflower”, and active at the Children’s Home. She
has raised funds for the Easter Seals Society, Special Olympics,
San Joaquin County Parents of Deaf Children, and the
Hanot Foundation.
When asked what inspired her to give so much of herself
to so many amazing causes, Mimi said, “My family and my
husband’s family—and my own heart.” Clearly Mimi finds
it very rewarding to help others in need. “When you are
involved in the greater good as a significant business in town,
you are called upon to do many things. We can’t do them all,
but we sure try to do as many as we can. It’s just great knowing
you helpedmake a difference. It takes a village, and no
one can do it all alone—(I suggest anyone wanting to make a
change) get a good group together with a lot of energy and
the help you can give is amazing.”
Karima Take Away
A woman wears many hats, keep it going…even in tough
times, get a group of like-minded people together for a
greater cause, follow your heart, and never ever quit.
*Editor’s Notes: Only a number of Mimi Eberhardt’s commitments to
her community and accomplishments were listed in the above article.
She is truly a gem and if we had mentioned them all, we could have
written a book.
Karima Magazine.indd 24
5/21/17 5:07 PM