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The GFWC Women’s Clubs in South Florida’s District 11 had a busy May with fundraisers, installations and more. A cast of wonderful characters from Alice in Wonderland made the Coral Gables Woman’s Club 5th Annual Mother’s Day Tea Party uproariously fun for those in costume and not. The White Rabbit (Corey Tennyson), Alice, the March Hare, Cheshire Cat, and Queen of Hearts circulated for photo ops with beautifully themed backdrops. CGWC President Arely Ruiz, attired in white as a modern queen, welcomed the guests, thanking the event chair Rita Tennyson with daughter Saesha Tennyson, Auction Chair and Past President Mayra Dominguez and the many sponsors, auction donors, and volunteers who contributed to the success of this fundraiser to benefit the club’s free children’s dental clinic. Arely also acknowledged support from many GFWC District 11 clubs whose members attended including the Coco Plum Woman’s Club, Miami Woman’s Club, Miami Springs Woman’s Club and Coconut Grove Woman’s Club.
Free flowing prosecco with tea and an amazing assortment of tea sandwiches, petit fours, scones, and other yummy delicacies by R Catering satisfied the hungriest of guests. Among the notables attending the affair were Dorothy Thomson, Coral Gables only female mayor; the new GFWC FL District 11 Director and Past CGWC President Ruth Martinez; Immediate Past District 11 Director, Virginia Yermoli; CGWC Past Club Presidents Barbara Lapsley and Linda Hartwell; Barbara Wexler, a Past President of the Coral Gables Jr. Woman’s Club before they merged; Jenneissy Azcuy, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Communications for South Florida PBS; Kat Barrow-Horth, co-founder of ComicKids.org; Yoli Woodbridge, Past President of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables; and so many other VIPs of the more than 130 others attending.
GFWC FL’s new District 11 Director, Dr. Ruth Martinez, hit the pavement running in her new position officiating over the installations of several clubs including The Miami Woman’s Club that installed its first black president, Metris Batts, who takes over the position from the club’s first British president, Shirley Pardon. In fact, these two remarkable women made the front page of Neighbors on May 19, the day the club honored the outgoing board with a lovely afternoon reception at Klaw’s rooftop lounge. Klaw’s beautiful restaurant and its rooftop lounge are both located in the club’s historic building and the rooftop setting could not have been more beautiful.
In addition to installing officers for The Miami Woman’s Club, Ruth also officiated over installations at the Coco Plum Woman’s Club for President Annie Goodrich; Hialeah Woman’s Club for President Marie Rice; and Miami Springs Woman’s Club for President Eileen McDonough.
Speaking of club presidents, Coral Gables Woman’s Club installed President Arely Ruiz who returned for a second term after a four-year break during which Ruth Martinez was president. During Arely’s installation, the club also installed 9 new members growing the membership to 104 women who reside well beyond the Coral Gables to all far north as Doral and Miramar to as far south as Palmetto Bay and Kendall to the west.
Thunderstorms brought the guests into Bay 13’s private room but the cozy room did not deter the fun with emcee Steven Bradley and DJ Germain for Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s May 21 Gringo Bingo. This month’s event paid tribute to the club’s late Past President Mireya Kilmon who suffered with rheumatoid arthritis and became a spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation. A great crowd enjoyed the night with Mireya’s daughter Jessenia Francisco and granddaughter Mia, who is a talented singer at the ripe old age of 10 years.
Among the many guests were sponsor Jerry Kavulich, Bleeding Blue nonprofit’s Danny Morales, CGWC’s Carmen Suarez, Barbara Lapsley, Julia Irvin, Alma Suarez, Tere Jaramillo, Meredeth McKissick, Nancy Desmangles and Linda Hartwell. Several of these club members were also seen manning a booth at the Coral Gables Literacy Fair on May 18 as well.
Individuals interested in joining this dynamic club that does so much to help our community with its free children’s dental clinic and more, can find information at gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.
Finally, opening night at Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre brought a standing ovation for the new play A Rock Sails By which will run through June 9. Guests enjoyed, as always, the Bacardi Bar, and some delicious dessert crepes from the Crepe Maker whose owner Maria Lopez was on hand for the night.
Until next time, share your time and talents, count your blessings, and make a difference.
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