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City People

Madame president is club's 'pride and joy'

A longtime member of the Tampa Woman's Club now leads the state federation.

By AMY SCHERZER
Published October 13, 2006

"I guess that's how they did it 100 years ago," she said. "We used to write 'Mrs. C.J. Keel,' too, because a woman didn't have her own identity. We've come a long way, baby."

So has Keel, who rose through the ranks of the century-old organization, serving in every capacity for the club based on Bayshore Boulevard since joining in 1964.

In May, Keel became president of the GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs, the second from Tampa since 1972. The two-year term will have her traveling from the Panhandle to the Keys, overseeing 14,000 members in 252 clubs.

"She's our pride and joy," said Tampa member Kay Hance.

During the summer, Keel visited Federation headquarters in Washington, D.C., twice. She made hundreds of calls to appoint 178 state chairwomen, all volunteers, of course.

"And never had one refuse me," she said.

Keel, 72, led her first board meeting Sept. 30 in Orlando, where she announced her motto - "Love Isn't Love Until You Give It Away" - and a statewide project: the American Cancer Society's college scholarship program "Making Dreams Come True."

Applicants diagnosed with cancer before age 21 can receive $3,800 a year to attend a Florida school.

"I was going to let each chapter choose their own project until I heard a young girl speak at a meeting in Orlando. It was like the Lord sent me there. I was hooked," she said, her eyes welling with tears at the memory. Keel lost both her parents to cancer.

"Every club does their own fundraising," Keel said. "I haven't set a goal, maybe 100 scholarships? Maybe we can do 252 - that's one per club."

Women's club membership is by invitation, Keel said. Juniorettes are 12 to 18 years old; Juniors are up to age 40 and stay on forever as General members. Bylaws don't require members to be female, Keel said, noting a male president in Pinellas County who took over when his wife died.

"You did have to be white in the '50s, but, thank God, they got over that," she said.

The former high school cheerleader's enthusiasm bubbles as she describes how the club's monthly meetings combine socializing with action in six departments: Home Life, Education, Conservation, Arts, Public Affairs and International Affairs.

For Keel, like most of the members, friendships and volunteering are inseparable.

While they're playing bridge, they're planning the next meeting or project.

"I'm not happy if I'm not helping other people," Keel said, who was raised by a single parent, the only girl of seven children.

"They depended on me," she said of her brothers. "I didn't see my father until I was married and moved to Tampa."

Tampa lawyer C.J. Keel gets high praise for sharing his wife with the sorority of volunteers. As a former Egypt Shrine Potentate in 1978 and board member for 15 years, he appreciates her commitment and leadership.

"She has a knack for being the boss but without really bossing you," he said. "No one gets mad at her."

Born in Minonk, Ill., Keel met her husband soon after he graduated from law school and came to work at a Peoria insurance firm where she was a secretary.

They had a son Joey in 1955. He now owns Keel & Curley Winery in Plant City. The family moved to Tampa in 1957 when C.J. went to work for State Farm. Pat was a homesick Midwesterner.

"The Tampa Junior Woman's Club saved my life," Keel said. "I hated it here until I joined."

Maybe that new outlook affected her in other ways. In 1966, son Jeff was born, 11 years after her first child.

"We doctored and prayed and gave up," she said. Daughter Laura Keel Jones arrived in 1969.

Some 15 years ago, Keel befriended Anna Perdue and brought her into the club.

Perdue filled various local and state positions and watched Keel climb the Federation leadership ladder.

"Pat mentored me and got me involved as I was recovering from cancer," Perdue said, lauding her friend's resourcefulness.

"The only thing she can't do is bake brownies."

Amy Scherzer can be reached at scherzer@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3332.

Pat Keel

HOME: Palma Ceia

FAMILY: C.J., husband of 52 years; three children; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

CURRENT ROLE: President, GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs

FREE TIME: She's given up golf and bridge during her presidency but finds time for shopping. Keel has chaired five Fashionolias, the club's annual fashion show, and modeled many times.

LIVES BY THE RULES: Punctual and precise. "Either follow the bylaws or throw 'em out."

NEWEST PERK: Reserved parking space at the Bayshore Boulevard clubhouse.

NEW RIDE: 2006 Cadillac CRS.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 11:38:09]