Coconut Grove Woman's Club honored at luncheon

The Coconut Grove Woman's Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month and I know we are all proud of them and their longevity. The club has come a long way, it was originally called the Coconut Grove Housekeepers Club founded in 1891 by Flora McFarlane and other pioneers of the time. Above, from left, Monty Trainer, Marlene Erven, Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Ken Russell.

Miami Mayor Tomas Regaldo presented the club with a Proclamation in honor of the occasion. The Mayor and Monty Trainer, president of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, were featured speakers at an Anniversary Luncheon on January 7. More than 100 were in attendance including members of the Club, the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and Coconut Grove Arts Festival Board. “Celebrating Miami’s Past Present and Future” was the focus of their presentation.

Mayor Regaldo commended the Club members for “being a landmark of tradition in our city and for its contributions to the betterment of Miami.” He declared Friday, February 19, 2016 as the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove Day!” The Club  will celebrate its anniversary on this day with holding a a theater in the round at its Clubhouse of the production Footprints, a new play, written by member Sandra Riley, about the lives of pioneers Kirk and Mary Barr Munroe. This historic play is being produced in conjunction with New Theatre. Above are WCCG Members Anne McDonald-Korth & Lina Duque

Monty Trainer commended the Club for, “being a shinning historic treasure of the Grove and a remembrance of our past.” 

Club President Marlene Erven, presented Trailblazers awards to individuals who had significantly contributed to bringing the Club into the 21st Century as a premier property to host community and private events. Awards were given to Lifetime member Renee Belaire who served as the first volunteer events manager for two years and raised almost $40,000 in fees for the Club as a start-up rental facility; Bill Hansen of Bill Hansen Catering who was the Club’s first professional catering and events company on premises and to Leslie and Rudy Rowe, of Coconut Grove Events, who have served as the Club’s professional event management company for the last decade. Above, from left: Marlene Erven, Leslie and Rudy Rowe, Bill Hansen and Renee Belair.

The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove was established five years before Miami became a city.  It is the oldest community service organization in South Florida and its clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a nonprofit organization it is dedicated to enriching the Miami community through the promotion of public welfare, education, civic improvement, historic preservation and the advancement of the arts and culture while fostering good fellowship among its members.  

For more information on the Woman’s Club, email info@coconutgrovewomansclub.com or call 305-216-0626.