Supporter Profile
Elizabeth “Bette” L. Aitken is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to California in 1955. She is a proud graduate of Santa Ana College, where she met her husband, Wylie. After teaching early elementary education to students for several years, she devoted her attention to her three children. While raising her children, Bette remained active as a civic leader. Her charitable activities include having been co-chair of the planning committee for the Musco Center of the Arts at Chapman University and honorary chair of its grand opening, a Board Member for Paint Your Heart Out Anaheim, and vice chair of South Coast Repertory. She was also vice president of community relations at SCR, and was a member of its Gala Committee for many years, having chaired three separate galas. Bette is a member of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ “Angels of the Arts,” Chapman University’s “Women of Chapman,” and works with Women in Leadership Orange County and Laura’s House, where she was honored for her work in 2007 as Woman of the Year.
In January 2014, Chance Theater named its new home in Anaheim the “Bette Aitken theater arts Center.” It was also in 2014 that Bette and her husband Wylie were honored as Chapman’s Citizens of the Year for their service, contribution, and support of Chapman University. Bette has also been recognized by Senator Diane Feinstein and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for her public service work. Bette was honored in Orange County Business Journal’s Giving Guide as one of the Top Philanthropists in Orange County, along with numerous other awards for philanthropy from the Orange County Business Journal, Riviera Magazine, Cal State Fullerton, and Mission Foundation of San Juan Capistrano, among others.
Outside of her philanthropic and civic endeavors, Bette manages the family’s real estate investments and is the proud parent of three accomplished children—Darren, Chris, and Ashleigh—and eleven grandchildren.