New GFWC Doral West Dade Woman’s Club elects officers

By
Gloria Burns
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Pictured here are the founding members and officers of the newly formed GFWC Doral West Dade Woman’s Club (L to R) :Jeneissy Azcuy, Susie Vicaria, Emma Machlin, Maria Prado, Marti Bueso, Gloria Burns, Barbara Romani Carroll, Nubielena Medina, Nadya Gribanova, Ruth Martinez, Stacy Alonso, and Arely Ruiz.

Founding members of a new General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Doral/ West Kendall Woman’s Club reconvened on August 27, 2025, for an official first meeting during which they elected officers and approved by-laws. The 2025-27 officers include President, Gloria Burns; 1st Vice President, Maria Prado; 2nd Vice President, Nadya Gribanova; Treasurer, Stacy Alonso; and Recording Secretary, Barbara Romani Carroll.   

The excitement was palpable during these organizational meetings and these women cannot wait to start making an impact.  Joining the group as founding members are Nubielena Medina,  Jeneissy Azcuy, Arely Ruiz, Marti Bueso, Emma Machlin, Susie Vicaria, Rosemary Guilfoyle and Ruth Martinez.

GFWC Florida’s District 11 Director, Dr. Ruth Martinez, was instrumental in guiding the club  through the process of starting a new club with club sister Gloria Burns who is also Ruth’s District 11 Secretary and the support of GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s President Arely Ruiz. Those interested in learning more about this new club or donating services to support the effort may contact this writer at gloria@cnews.net.  This club will fill a void for GFWC FL clubs in the Doral, Miami Lakes, and West Kendall area. 

In other non profit news, on September 5, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami hosted its Tropical Extravaganza: Benefit Dinner at the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne to launch the inaugural Miriam’s Mentees Mentorship Program. Co-chaired by Norma Jean Abraham, Jill Daley, and Sharon McIvor, the event raised nearly $73,000 and was a tropical celebration in every sense. Guests danced before dinner to live entertainment from saxophonist Jorge Perez and singer Steve Fatal, with a spirited raffle drawing closing out the evening. Among the many notable guests were BBBS COO Rebekah Lanae Lengel; Director Gale Nelson; the Honorable Bronwyn Miller, Migna Sanchez-Llorens, and Norma Lindsey; Carol Suroweic; Meme Ferre; Isabel Cancela; Miriam Almer; Shirlee Fernandez; Kathleen Monahan; Raquel Watters; and Rita Fernandez, to mention a few.

Pictured here at Big Brother Big Sisters Gala are event chairs (L to R) Sharon McIvor, Norma Jean Abraham and Jill Daley.

Speaking of galas, the Out of Foster Foundation and Citrus Family Care Network’s “Hope Under the Stars Gala” is coming up on October 4,  at Trump National Resort.  The evening kicks off at  7 p.m..  For tickets visit, www.outoffoster.org.  Rudy Bustamante, founder of the Out of Foster Foundation (formerly known as the Magic Waste Foundation, was a recent guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE video podcast to discuss the many ways the Foundation helps young people aging out of the foster care system who have no safety, no parents to help rent their first apartment or help with tuition, etc. Look for more on this in our next issue. 

On the sports front, the Orange Blossom Classic brought a massive number of visitors on Labor Day weekend for its series of events that even included a package for fans to attend the FIU – Bethune Cookman game on Friday, the OBC luncheon and OBC football game with FAMU vs Howard University. While Howard won the tight game, the Florida A & M Band won halftime.  This year was extra special. You see the OBC’s  very first game was played in 1933, with those very same teams and they have played only one other time over the years in the Classic until this year.  The OBC’s Executive Director, Kendra Bulluck, was a recent guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE to share information on the festivities and the history of the OBC.

Pictured here enjoying the Orange Bowl Classic at Hard Rock Stadium are (L to R) : Micahel Cannon, Bryan Graham and Donell Hicks.

In other news,  Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library are making plans for their annual Late at the Library: The Beyond Books Benefit fundraiser at the Coral Gables Branch Library on Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m.  Guests will enjoy delicious food, refreshments, lively conversation and a silent auction – all in support of the Miami-Dade Public Library System. Individual tickets are $200 and sponsorship are still available.  For more than 50 years, the Friends have championed library advocacy and community enrichment. Funds raised through this event help support Library programs that impact lives every day.

Finally, here are some dates to save: 

September 25-27, 2025 – GFWC Florida Fall Board – Rosen Plaza, Orlando

October 1,2025 – BeeLiver Havana Nights fundraiser at The Biltmore Hotel, 6:30 – 9 p.m., $150 pp or $200 for a couple.

October 4, 2025 – Out of Foster Foundation and Citrus Family Care Network’s “Hope Under the Stars Gala” at Trump National Resort, 7 p.m.., for info www.outoffoster.org 

October 4, 2025 – Bowling Tournament to benefit Family Resource Ctr., 11a.m.-1p.m., Bird Bowl 19275 SW 40th St., more info at www.frcflorida.org 

Oct. 11, 2025 –  5th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk at Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 NW 199th Street, Miami Gardens, FL. 33056.

October 25,205 – A Safe Haven for Newborns Gala – Intercontinental Miami, 7p.m.  

October 31, 2025 – Voices for Children Annual Luncheon at Loews Coral Gables, Hero costumes are encouraged..for more info, visit  www.bevoice.org.

October 31, 2025 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club Halloween Party at Birdie BistroHalloween 

November 7, 2025 – AFP National Philanthropy Day Luncheon – Jungle Island. 

Nov. 13 – Elio’s Kitchen 2nd Annual “Fashion Art Beats,” Coral Gables Woman’s Club, 6:30 p.m. (www.FashionArtBeats.org)

November 14, 2025 – GFWC FL District 11 Meeting 

In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference! 

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Gloria Burns
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.

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