Past chairs of The Women’s Board (L-R): Katherine Forrester, Jane Pomar, Frances Hutto, Kelley Kunz and Jan Kirby

Beth Langley, the 2017-2018 President, announced the Women’s Board had exceeded its $800,000 pledge to Wolfson Children’s Hospital by donating over $825,000 during the fundraising period. The donations were raised from the Board’s two signature events: the Florida Forum speaker series and the Arts & Antiques show presented in December 2017. Langley recognized event chairs Katherine Forrester, Jane Pomar, Frances Hutto, Kelley Kunz and Jan Kirby, thanking them for their leadership, passion and dedication to the Women’s Board.

The 2017-2018 fundraising season marked the last year of a five-year $4 million pledge for the Pediatric Surgery Center of Distinction at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. A new funding target was announced at the Luncheon: a new state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“We know that all of our efforts are extremely important and we are honored to be in a position to make an impact for the Children’s Hospital,” said Beth Langley, 2017-2018 Women’s Board President. “Supporting this new and improved NICU funding target is especially meaningful since the special needs of premature babies is why the Women’s Board formed over 40 years ago. We are thrilled to be able to support this cause!”

The Women’s Board named Katherine Forrester the 2019-2020 President at the Luncheon. Forrester is the immediate past co-chair of the Florida Forum and co-chaired the Arts & Antiques show in 2013. She is a devoted member of the Board for over 20 years.

The Spring Luncheon also awarded Susie Arbizzani Miller with the Abbie Award, named for founder Ellen Cavert’s twin granddaughter, Abbie Ray Martin, whose early passing inspired the organization of the Women’s Board. “I’ve been a member for over 30 years,” Miller stated in her acceptance speech. “I hope each of you find the same pleasure and meaning that I have over the years volunteering for this very special organization.”

For more information about the Women’s Board and this year’s events, visit womensboardwolfsonchildrenshospital.com.