College to Honor Work of Slain Woman’s Parents

The parents of Amy Biehl, a Newport Beach woman who was killed in South Africa while working on voter education and human rights causes, will receive a humanitarian award from a Los Angeles college.

Peter and Linda Biehl will accept the California School of Professional Psychology’s Humanitarian Award at a Feb. 1 fund-raiser for the school, an independent graduate program that trains psychologists for clinical work.

Amy Biehl, a 26-year-old Fulbright scholar, was killed in 1993 by a mob during a protest before that country’s first democratic elections in 300 years.

The Biehls three years ago set up the Amy Biehl Foundation, which has raised more than $50,000 for programs in South Africa that aim to foster education and curb the abuse of women and children.

Peter Biehl said while Amy Biehl received many posthumous honors, the school’s award was the first to recognize the foundation’s work.

Amy Biehl’s awards “are wonderful and treasured. Nevertheless it is nice to have Amy’s new life recognized and honored this way,” Peter Biehl said Monday. “We are extremely proud of it.”

The Biehls recently helped California School of Professional Psychology officials make contact with South African leaders to set up a program that will train nurses in rural areas of that country to administer basic mental health services.

The Feb. 1 benefit in Beverly Hills, the school’s second, seeks to raise $120,000 for scholarships and to fund a community outreach project that seeks to reduce violence against young people. Jazz, blues and classical musicians will entertain.

Last year, $96,000 was raised for scholarships and other services.