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On the town

Lauded leaders praise their mentoring moms

By MARY JANE PARK
Published March 27, 2005

Two leaders from widely diverse fields described themselves as risk-takers and lauded their mothers as exemplary mentors last week during Tampa Bay area awards ceremonies.

Speaking at the Girl Scouts' Women of Distinction luncheon in Tampa on Tuesday, international chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall said she was surrounded in childhood by strong women who encouraged her voracious curiosity.

"I had an amazing mother," she said of the woman who reportedly didn't flinch when her 18-month-old daughter took earthworms to bed with her.

On Thursday, Sweetbay Supermarkets and Kash n' Karry president and chief executive officer Shelley Broader acknowledged the contributions of her mother, Lois Gilchrist. Broader was the keynote speaker at the annual women's symposium presented by the Women's Council of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, which her mother attended.

More than 700 people went to the Girl Scouts event at the A La Carte Event Pavilion, which honored the 2005 Women of Distinction: Sally Lowry Baldwin, founding chair of the Lowry Park Zoological Society and the Lowry Park Zoo Endowment Foundation; Karen Brown Dunlap, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies; Ruth Binnicker Eckerd, chair of the Eckerd Family Foundation; and Dorothy S. Mitchell, a Pasco County philanthropist and former member and chair of the Pasco County School Board.

The chamber event filled the Palm Court Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

Marty Petty, publisher and executive vice president of the St. Petersburg Times, was named Business Woman of the Year, and Mary Wyatt Allen received Community Service Woman of the Year honors for her 40 years of volunteerism.

Additional Business Woman of the Year nominees were Suzanne Boland, RFB Communications Group; Vera Burianek, VBPS TV Marketing Group; Michelle Danielson, Raymond James & Associates; Susan Gordon, the Science Center of Pinellas; Robin Grabowski, Tranquility Day Spa; Nancy Hamilton, Operation PAR; Cynthia Lake, Children's Dream Fund; Virginia Littrell, St. Petersburg City Council; Dannette Lynch, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; Deborah Nicklaus, Sirata Beach Resort; Kathryn Pemble, Bank of America; Lisa Louise Robbins, U.S. Geological Survey Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies; Ann Rogers, Keller Williams Gulf Coast Realty; Rhonda Schroeder, Back Pain Relief Centers; Dawna Stone, Her Sports magazine; Debbie Wessel, MTS Medication Technologies; and Jane Wyatt, Bank of America.

Also nominated for Community Service Woman of the Year were Corinne Karen Bulla, Karol Bullard, Shari Davis Gonzales, Carol Dunn, Dr. Tonya Hawthorne, Cindy Jameson, Mary Melcer, Gloria Mezera, Michele Nixon, Alice Phillips, Janet Root, Mary Shuh, Belinda Talavera, Carol Vallee, Debbie White, Dr. D.C. White, Connie Whitehead an d Bernadette Young.

John Schloder, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, gave an overview of the organization's expansion plans for members of the Stuart Society on Thursday, expressing the need for additional display, storage, classroom and public spaces.

New construction is planned in several phases and will begin once significant initial money is in hand, he said. Any additions will be compatible with the current Palladian facade and will strive to attain a symmetrical effect.

Stuart Society president Mary Shuh announced that the January gala that opened "Monet's London: Artists' Reflections on the Thames 1859-1914" brought in a record $80,000.

The organization honored honorary member Eric Lang Peterson, an art professional who has volunteered with the museum throughout all of its 40 years. His initial involvement occurred when he was a student at the University of the South, popularly known as Sewanee.

He has donated art to the museum, helped to build its collections and was a founder of the Palladian Society, which sponsors performing arts at the museum. His floral arrangements for the Stuart Society are memorials for deceased members. Thursday's bouquet was a tribute to the late Emily Hawkins and Mary Ann Yeatman.

A fashion show and luncheon at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Tuesday celebrated a milestone for Infinity, the League to Aid Abused Children and Adults.

The organization, which raises money for Help a Child, Brookwood Florida and Community Action Stops Abuse, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Founders Marilyn Johansen and Pat Watters received special recognition, as did past presidents of the organization, among them Paula Park, Joann Barger, Mary Shuh, Hugh Ann Cason-Kelly, Ann Foster, Terry Ray, Carolyn Reese, Maritza Smith, Bobbie Gilgosch, Patsy Dunlap. Fern Clayton is the current president.

The organization dedicated the event to the memory of the late Margaret Ewell Dickins, a longtime member whose foundation contributes to Infinity.

Attendees included Patsy Buker, representing Help A Child; Pam Mesmer, Brookwood; Jean Kraus, CASA; Dot McCarthy; Debbie Barnes; Judy Meserve; Gail Damkoehler; Debbie Tucker; Paige Catani; Rita Porto; Cathy Groeschel; Michelle Entwistle; Jenny Gardner; Pat Straubinger; Fran Huey; Karin Seeley; Dixie Seeley; Sally Plonsky; Virginia Boswell; Shirley Lawrence; and Diane Wasserman.

Friday

CORONATION BALL: Suncoasters of St. Petersburg event opens Festival of States. Hors d'oeuvres, beverages, dinner, music featuring The Charlie Raymond Orchestra. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $100. 898-3654. TRADE IN/TRADE UP: Benefits thrift shops operated by Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Take gently used women's clothing on hangers to the Northeast Shopping Center Stein Mart, 218 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. For each garment donated, the store will issue coupons (maximum four per person) worth 20 percent off any one item. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 586-4432; 898-8814. Continues Saturday.

Saturday

WISH UPON A STARFISH: Benefit for Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg features cocktails, dinner, program, auction. Beach chic attire. 6 p.m. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, 5600 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. $175. 322-0800.

Mary Jane Park can be reached at 727 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

[Last modified March 27, 2005, 00:34:19]