Woman’s Club celebrates Dorothy Thomson’s graduation

Gloria Burns

Members of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club gathered at their clubhouse to hold a surprise party for Dorothy Thomson, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

Thomson entered UM’s College of Arts and Sciences in the spring of 1956, but put her studies on hold to pursue professional options, which ultimately led to 16 years on the Coral Gables City Council and serving as the city’s first and only female mayor. She graduated with an area of concentration in Women’s Studies and Politics with a 3.6 GPA. On hand to help celebrate were her husband, Jack, and son, Rob.

Thomson not only was roasted and praised by the group but also received a beautiful UM purse as a graduation gift from the club. Dinner was provided by caterer Terry Cook and members who brought there favorite dishes. Among the many seen enjoying and participating in the affair were Coral Gables Commissioner Maria Anderson, Kathy and Barbara Terry, Claire-Frances Whitehurst, Debi Wilborn, Barbara Lapsley, Charo Bolanos, MaryScull Brown, Gael Jose, John and Ann Knowles, Carmen Suarez, Mayra Domingues, Pam Schaefer, Linda Hartwell, Debra Adam, Sabrina Perez- King , Jo Burke, Cecilia Zamora Stevenson, Aminta Konowicz, Cathy Blanton, Ana Lam, and Ceres Campbell.

Gables Rotarian Dr. Phil Boswell, who chairs the club’s Youth Avenue of Service, introduced the new officers and board of Coral Gables High School’s Interact Club at the June 23 meeting of Gables Rotary. Student leaders enjoying lunch with the club were Christina Jordy, president; Daniella Oliva, secretary, and Chinely Reyes, treasurer. The Interact members advised they always are available for service projects and will be selling refreshments once again this year during the five days of the Jr. Orange Bowl Caroling Competition with proceeds benefiting the Kidney Foundation.

The Singing Miamians’ director, Gene Cokeroft, recently was inducted into the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN. A welldeserved honor, his leadership and amazing talent have helped keep this tradition alive in South Florida. The Singing Miamians now call Pinecrest home and always are looking for new singers.

The public always is welcomed to attend the group’s Tuesday night sessions at Evelyn Greer Park where they currently are working on their fall concert presentation featuring a medley of tunes from the Music Man. For more coming events and information about this group go to <www.miamians.org >.

On Sept. 12, another date to save, His House Children’s Home will hold its Second Annual Waves of Renewal Ladies Luncheon aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. This promises to be an inspiring afternoon with Jean Caceres Gonzalez as the keynote speaker.

Tickets are $55 and reservations are required as space is limited. For more information, go online to <www.hhch.org > or call Daniella at 305 430-0085, ext. 209.

Until next time, keep making each day count.

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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.