Barbara Lovio, 98th Grand President of YLI

Santa Paulan Barbara Lovio is the 2003-2004 Grand President of Young Ladies’ Institute (YLI). She is the first Grand President from District 20, and her goal is to rekindle enthusiasm in YLI including membership and efforts on Catholic charities. Barbara Curran was born in Santa Paula and attended Santa Paula schools. She met her husband, Gilbert Lovio, in high school, and they were married in January 1966 in St. Sebastian Church in Santa Paula. They have two sons and two daughters, one grandson, and four granddaughters.Barbara joined Saint Paula Institute (YLI #195) in 1966. Her mother, Josephine Curran, was a charter member of the Institute when it was organized in November 1949. She encouraged her daughter to join just as she had done.When Barbara was 22 years old she was elected president of the Institute. Since then she has served in all of the offices of the Institute, and was president again in 2001-2002. She also served as an Institute and District Deputy Director.At the 1999 convention in Rohnert Park she ran for the office of Grand Director. She was chairman of the Board for two years. At the Fresno convention in 2001, Barbara was elected to the office of Grand Second Vice President.