HONOREES 1992-2014
Adrienne Arsht
A respected national business leader and hands-on philanthropist, Adrienne is a community-minded power broker, who has taken a leading role promoting artistic, business and civic growth and development in her adopted hometown of Miami, Florida. In January of 2008, her commitment to the community and the arts took the form of a $30 million contribution to secure the financial footing and ensure quality cultural programming for Miami’s Performing Arts Center, now named the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County where she was photographed. She is Chairman Emerita of TotalBank, where she served as Chairman of the Board from 1996 to 2007.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2009
Ana Azcuy
One of Miami TV News pioneers, Ana Azcuy, is photographed at the legendary Little Havana "Domino Park" on Calle Ocho. The Cuban-American graduate of the famed Columbia University School of Journalism was the first Hispanic news reporter on Miami TV at WTVJ and then became the first Cuban-American news anchor in Miami television history at WPLG. Among her many awards are three prestigious Emmy's. She and her husband funded "The Ana Azcuy Excellence in Journalism Scholarship" at Ana's alma mater Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. After a 21-year broadcasting career, Ana retired and is currently on a mission to see the most important places on Earth.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Rosemary Barkett
The first woman appointed to the Florida Supreme Court and its first female Chief justice, Rosemary is photographed in the Florida Supreme Court. She then served as a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Judicial Circuit. On October 1, 2013 Rosemary joined the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, having been selected by the U.S. Department of State for the post, which is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Martha Barnett
The second woman to serve as the president of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the first woman to chair the policy making House of Delegates and serve on the ABA Board of Governors. Her numerous statewide commission appointments include the Constitution Revision Commission, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission and the Chair of the Florida Commission on Ethics. The National Law Journal named her one of “The 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America.” She is photographed with a view of the state Capitol Building. Photograph: Scherley Busch 2001
JoAnn Bass
The third generation owner of 96-year-old Joe’s Stone Crab. JoAnn is surrounded by a sea of chairs “before showtime” at her internationally famed restaurant.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Nikki Beare
The late Nikki served as Vice president of the Florida Women’s Political Caucus and was a founding member of NOW. Nikki is seen in front of the Old Capitol Building in Tallahassee where she lobbied as a government relations specialist advocating women’s issues.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1993
Ann Bishop
The late award winning news anchor for WPLG Channel 10, Ann Bishop is seen standing metaphorically at the foundation of a towering building that oversees Miami, the city she knew so well.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Elaine Bloom
Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives 1992-94, Elaine served a total of 18 1/2 years in the House where she authored over 100 major laws and chaired 8 committees. Founding Chairperson of Dade County's Commission on the Status of Women in 1971, she also served on numerous Boards and presided over many organizations affecting the Jewish and general communities and the State of Israel. An advocate for causes important to women, children, senior citizens and families, she was also a leader on health care, education, the arts, tourism and Florida's economy, public transportation and the environment.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2009
Roxcy O’Neal Bolton
Photographed in her home in Coral Gables, Roxcy is known as Florida’s Pioneer Feminist. She is a founder of Florida NOW, Crime Watch, The Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Women in Distress, and the Women’s Park of Miami-Dade County. She is recognized in the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame and received The Miami Herald’s Charles Whited Spirit of Excellence Award.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1994
Mary Bartlett Bunge, Ph.D.
Dr. Bunge is the Christine E. Lynn Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Cell Biology, Anatomy and Neurological Surgery at The University of Miami School of Medicine, working in the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. She is past Chair of the Committee for the Development of Women’s Careers in Neuroscience of the Society for Neuroscience, first recipient of Mika Salpeter Women in Neuroscience Lifetime Achievement Award, and was awarded the Christopher Reeve Research medal for spinal cord repair. Dr. Bunge is seen working at an electron microscope, in front of a digitally superimposed photo image showing remyelination, which she and her husband discovered.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2002
Teresa Buoniconti
Terry is the co-founder of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami School of Medicine. In 1985 when her son Marc became a quadriplegic during a college football game, she promised him her total commitment to find a cure for paralysis. Her dedication has helped the Miami Project become the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord research center. She is photographed in her home.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Ruth L. Campbell
A member of the pioneer Campbell family, Ruth L. Campbell has a very long history of service and deep roots with the City of Homestead. The first woman elected to the Homestead City Council, she also served as Vice Mayor. After 34 years as a public servant she was awarded the title of Honorary Mayor of Krome Avenue. She is currently the museum director and local historian of the Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum. Ruth has served on local, state, and national boards for Historic Preservation and continues to be involved in government and civic affairs. She is photographed in front of Homestead’s Historic Townhall.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
B. Carlin
An ardent supporter of the performing and visual arts, the late B. made major contributions to Barry University, the Art Museum at Florida International University, The Performing Arts Center, the Concert Association, Maximum Dance and is a Founder Member of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. B. is photographed in her home surrounded by her art collection.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2005
Betty Castor
Former president and chief executive officer of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, Florida Commissioner of Education, president of the University of South Florida and state senator, Betty is seen in her home at the Lifsey House on the USF campus.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1997
Leona Cooper
Civic leader, former supervisory microbiologist at the Miami Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, life long advocate of human rights and social justice, Leona is seen in the historic Biltmore Hotel, once the auditorium of the VA Hospital.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1993
Elsie Bradwell Crowell, Ph.D.
Photographed in the Capitol, Elsie is the former Insurance Consumer Advocate of the State of Florida. As the first African American Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, she helped to establish the permanent Hall of Fame Exhibit location in the Capitol and initiated the first internship program with the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and Women’s Studies Departments in the Florida State University System.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1994
Marjory Stoneman Douglas
The late pioneer, crusader, author, environmental advocate and champion of the Everglades, received the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award from President Clinton. She was photographed in her home, proclaimed a historic site.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1991
Judy Drucker
Judy’s dedication to the finest in music and dance has made her synonymous with the performing arts. In 1967 Judy founded and directed the Great Artist Series at Temple Beth Shalom until 1987 when she became the founding president of the Concert Association of Florida, developing it into the largest presenter of touring classical artists in the region over the next 20 years. She is pictured amid the many famed autographs on her signature piano.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1996
Gloria Estefan
The international superstar and Grammy award-winning recording artist is photographed in her garden. A community leader, she is a founding board member of the Buoniconti Fund, the national fundraising arm of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and committed to promoting educational opportunities and pediatric AIDS research through the Gloria Estefan Foundation.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Chris Evert
Record-breaking tennis champion is photographed on the court of the Evert Tennis Academy. She is honored for her many causes including the Chris Evert Charities, focusing on combating substance abuse and assisting children exposed to drugs.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1996
Helen Aguirre Ferré
Award-winning, bilingual journalist for over two decades, Helen Aguirre Ferré is Opinion Page Editor for Spanish-language newspaper Diario Las Américas, additionally covering local, national and international concerns in her Sunday column. Moderator of WPBT Channel 2 public affairs series Issues, she also co-hosts Spanish language national broadcast Yo Cuento, analyzing political news of the week. Ferré co-founded Operation Saving Lives to aid victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America. In 2005, she was appointed to the Florida Energy 2020 Commission and to the Florida State Committee of Higher Education Access Task Force, among others. She currently serves as chair for Miami Dade College Board of Trustees. She is photographed in the press room of Diario Las Americas".
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2009
Dorothy Fields
Founder of the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Dorothy is photographed in front of the Chapman House, one of the historical sites she helped to restore.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Margaret Ann Fischl, M.D.
Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Special Immunology and AIDS Clinical research unit, is one of the first investigators to describe the heterosexual transmission of HIV. She authored the pivotal clinical study that led to the approval of the first drug, Zidovudine, for the treatment of HIV; co-chaired the International Society, USA treatment guidelines that resulted in the publication of the first Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Therapy in Adults. She served as a consultant to the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration, and testified before the U.S. Senate and the Florida House and Senate.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2005
Regina Jollivette Frazier
A civic leader, Regina was the first international president of The Links, Inc., and listed in Ebony Magazine’s 100 most influential Black Americans. She is photographed at the Sylvester Center at the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics where she was director of Pharmacy until her retirement in 2007.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Thelma Gibson
Thelma serves on many community boards and is President of the Board of Directors of the Theodore R. Gibson Memorial Fund, Inc., which works with youth to provide educational scholarships and housing for homeless women. She is a founder of the Miami Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the T.R. Gibson Unity and Communications Center which fosters a oneness among South Florida ethnic communities.
Photographed by Scherley Busch 1997
Evelyn Gilbert
Philanthropist and community leader, the late Evelyn was co-chairman of the Miami-Dade County Florida Grand Opera. She served on many boards including the Miami Heart Research Institute and was an officer of the Murray Dranoff Foundation, the Viscayans and supporter of the children’s school for the Miami City Ballet. Master Gardener of Dade County. The late Evelyn Gilbert was photographed with one of her favorite orchids.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1996
Elaine Gordon
Former Dean of the Florida House of Representatives and the first woman Speaker Pro-Tempore, the late Elaine paved the way for women in the political arena,was a champion for health, women’s and elderly issues. She was Vice President for Florida International University’s Outreach Program. She was photographed in the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1994
Adele Graham
First Lady of Florida, 1978-1986, mother and grandmother of ten, Adele is photographed in her home in Miami Lakes with grand-daughter, Caroline Adele McCullough. Advocate for volunteers in public schools and home-based programs for the elderly, she authored Finish for the Future, and was instrumental in the historic preservation of the Florida Governor’s Mansion. Honored as University of Florida Alumni of outstanding achievement, she served as Vice President of the Florida House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1997
Sally Heyman
A Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Sally Heyman also served as an elected official in the Florida House of Representatives for four consecutive terms, as Council Member for the City of North Miami Beach for seven years, and worked for the City of Miami and North Miami Beach Police Department. Serving in her third elected office, Sally’s main focus is public safety and works on various issues, especially social services; women, children and vulnerable adults; personal freedoms; affordable healthcare; and emergency management. She is a Crime and Loss Prevention Specialist and Attorney who has her own consulting firm. A South Florida native, Sally is photographed at Haulover Beach with her dog, Andi.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Bea L. Hines
Bea Hines is photographed in front of the Miami Herald where she was the first black woman reporter at The Miami Herald. Her columns, which ran on the front page of the Local Section from 1981-85, were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She was cited for the company's Spirit Among Us award for her community work, representing The Miami Herald and later as a Herald Legend. She was recognized as one of the top five women columnists in the country by Savy Magazine, and has been awarded many honors including the St. Martin de Porres Peace and Unity Award for her columns promoting racial harmony. Bea, a gospel singer, has traveled to Italy to sing with the gospel group “Unity."
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Patricia Ireland
Shown among images from her decade as the longest-serving national president of NOW, Patricia is recognized as a key leader in improving social and economic conditions for women in Florida, in the US and around the world. From her union activism as a flight attendant for Pan American Airways to her advocating as an attorney, Patricia challenges people to make the connections between women’s rights and other human rights issues.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2006
Virginia Jacko
A blind visionary in a sighted world, Virginia Jacko is president and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Under her leadership, the Miami Lighthouse has steadily increased services, program participation and donor contributions, while gaining recognition as a national Center of Excellence in vision rehabilitation. During her tenure as CEO, Miami Lighthouse has received five consecutive 4-star ratings, the highest rating possible, from the national evaluator, Charity Navigator, placing it among the top 4% of non-profits in the U.S. Her biography, The Blind Visionary, was published in 2010, with her royalties benefitting the Miami Lighthouse. Virginia is photographed in front of the Miami Lighthouse with her guide dog, Kieran.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Betty Mae Jumper
The first Seminole Indian to earn a high school degree is photographed beneath the Council Oak where, as a young woman she recalls translating to help organize the Seminole Tribe of Florida in the late 1950’s. First woman elected “chief” of a North America Indian Tribe in 1967 and appointed by President Richard Nixon to a term on the National Indian Opportunity Council.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Ruth Kassewitz
Photographed by the ocean in early morning, Ruth retired in 1990 from the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center as public relations administrator. The late Ruth, a dedicated volunteer, served on the Miami-Dade Community Foundation, YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, and Plymouth Congregational Church. She was named South Florida’s Rotarian of the Year and received the Public Relations Society of America’s highest public service award and the Lifetime Achievement Award of its Miami chapter.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Ellen Kempler
Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Ellen is on the board of UNICEF, Miami, the past President of the Dade Council of Teachers of English and the Peace Education Foundation, co-founder of Micro Business-USA, and a dedicated partner with RESULTS. She is photographed amid a sea of her students at MAST Academy.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2002
Joan Lehman
A celebrated sculptor, the late artist’s work is in the permanent collections of the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, Massachusetts; the Israel National Museum, Jerusalem, the Lowe Gallery, Coral Gables. Joan is seen with her sculpture in front of the Museum of Contemporary Arts.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2002
Monna Lighte
The late community activist, Monna, seen in her home, served on the Governor’s and Miami-Dade County Commission on the Status of Women and the National Board of NOW. She was a founding member of the Florida and Dade County Women’s Political Caucus.
Photograph by Scherley Busch 1994
Gwen Margolis
For four decades, Gwen Margolis has served the public in the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate and on the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. On November 2, 1990 Senator Margolis became the first woman to serve as president of any Senate in the United States of America. Throughout her career she has been an agent for positive change while receiving recognition and honors for her leadership and dedication to the community. Professionally she has been a licensed real-estate agent and an investor for 35 years. She is photographed in front of the great seal of the Florida State Senate.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Arva Moore Parks McCabe
Noted Miami historian and author of books including Miami the Magic City, Arva is photographed in front of Coconut Grove’s Barnacle, which she helped to preserve. A member of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, she is recognized “for giving Miami a sense of place.” Awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Barry University and an Alumnae of Outstanding Achievement Award by the University of Florida, she received the Miami Herald’s Charles Whited Spirit of Excellence Award.
Photograph by Scherley Busch 1992
Carrie Meek
One of the first African-American women elected to the U.S. Congress from the South since Reconstruction and first African-American Woman in the Florida Senate, Carrie Meek was photographed in her Dade County Office. Now retired, Carrie has had successful careers as a public servant, college administrator and educator.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1994
The Miami Sol
The Miami Sol became the first professional women's sports team in South Florida when it began playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2000. History was made on October 14, 1999, when the WNBA awarded Miami a franchise and the SOL tipped-off its inaugural season on June 1, 2000, then quickly went from a fledging expansion franchise to contenders, reaching the WNBA playoffs in 2001. Team members caught in action were combined in a digital composition of over 20 images as the crowd cheered on.
Photograph by Scherley Busch 2002
Sue Miller
Recipient of numerous awards for her exceptional volunteer and philanthropic commitments, Sue is seen outside her home where she hosts community meetings. Honors include Philanthropist of the Year from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Alexis de Tocqueville awards for extraordinary commitment to United Way’s philanthropic endeavors by both the National and Dade County United Way, and Silver Medallion Award and Humanitarian Award presented by the Annual National Conference of Christians and Jews, Dade County. She was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from the University of Miami and tapped into their Iron Arrow Society, the U.M.’s highest honorary society. Sue was recently presented the annual Humanitarian Award by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in recognition of her lifelong support at the highest levels to the Jewish community in Miami, Israel and around the globe.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2007
Sybil Mobley, Ph.D.
Former Dean of Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry, Sybil has served on many corporate boards and on the Presidential Commissions on Industrial Competitiveness, Minority Business Development, “1000 Points of Light” Foundation, and as a special consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1994
JoAnn H. Morgan
Former Director of the External Relations and Business Development Directorate at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is seen with the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Her service with NASA spans from 1958-2003. She was a pioneer on launch teams as an engineer and technical lead and became an executive with NASA KSC serving in several leadership roles. Awards include 6 NASA medals and recognition twice by the President of the United States as a Presidential Distinguished Rank Executive in government. She was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame and has been awarded the DAR National Medal of Honor for her service, leadership and patriotism.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2001
Tracy Wilson Mourning
Founder of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, Tracy is passionate about nurturing the mind, body and soul of young women in at-risk situations. Honey Shine teaches real-life skills to help girls transition into adulthood with grace and confidence. She is currently working to expand the program nationwide. A mentor, broadcast journalist, motivational speaker, soon-to-be published author, loving mother and wife and designer, Tracy recently launched her lifestyle design company, Honey Child. She is photographed with her mother, who is her life-long source of inspiration.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin
President Emereta of Barry University, Sister Jeanne believes that education can overcome prejudice and ignorance. A passionate visionary, her many facets are captured in her photograph in Barry’s Chapel. Honored by Pope John II and Tel Aviv University, Sister Jeanne is a lady of the Holy Sepulcher and been a member of the Dominican Sisters of Adrian Michigan for over 70 years.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1993
Edith Osman
One of two women to serve as president of the Florida Bar Association’s 50-year history, Edith is photographed on the steps of Miami-Dade County Courthouse. Realizing the importance of women taking leadership roles to open the legal system to other women and minorities, she has served as president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers in Dade County and statewide. She was the first woman to receive the Council for Voluntary Bar Presidents award for outstanding past presidents.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1999
Mary J. O’Sullivan, M.D.
For more than 20 years she was director of the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Division and Director of Obstetrics at Jackson Memorial Medical Center where she is now Professor Emeritus in Ob-Gyn Research at UM. She also was a member of the U.S. Public Health Service Task Force that wrote the guidelines on reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS between mothers and babies. She has authored or co-authored dozens of journal articles and book chapters and presented at national and international meetings around the world.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2005
Barbara Palmer
Past appointee on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Barbara is seen in the Florida House of Representatives where she lobbied for health care, women’s athletics and education. While Women’s Athletic Director at Florida State University (1977-85), FSU won five National Championships in women’s athletics.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Justice Barbara J. Pariente
Justice Barbara J. Pariente is the second woman to serve on Florida’s Supreme Court and as its Chief Justice from 2004-2006. Throughout a legal career begun in 1975, she has shown a passionate commitment to improving the lives of women, children, and families in Florida, especially those whose disadvantages in life have brought them into
courts. Personal tragedy in 2003 became courageous victory as she shared her successful breast cancer treatment publicly, never missing a court hearing, even appearing wigless in nationally broadcast cases. Justice Pariente graduated fifth in her law school class at George Washington University in 1973 and immediately began a successful twenty-year legal career, first as a Florida federal district court law clerk, then as one of South Florida’s pioneering women trial attorneys. She is photographed in the lobby of the Supreme Court.
Photograph by Scherley Busch 2009
Jean Jones Perdue, M.D.
The late Dr. Jean is seen reviewing medical cases in her office. She was the first woman named “Doctor of the Year” by The Dade County Medical Association and was a recipient of The Miami Herald Spirit of Excellence Award.
Photograph by Scherley Busch 1994
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, F.A.I.A., C.N.U
Recognized as a founder of the Congress for the New Urbanism, founding principal of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, Town Planners and Architects (DPZ), Elizabeth served as o Dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture (1995-2013). Co-author of Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream, and The New Civic Art, Elizabeth is photographed as the sun is setting in front of The Village of Campo Sano, designed by DPZ.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2006
Lois Pope
A leading philanthropist, Lois founded the Lois Pope Life Foundation and Leaders in Furthering Education. In 1996, she donated $10 million to the University of Miami for the Lois Pope LIFE Center, home of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. She received the 1999 Ellis Island medal of Honor for exceptional humanitarian efforts.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Peggy A. Quince
Photographed in the Florida Supreme Court, Peggy has the distinction of being the first black female appointed to both the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. She is also the first black female to serve as the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Justice Quince received her Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University and her juris doctor degree from The Catholic University of America. She is a member of the Florida Bar, Tallahassee Women Lawyers, Tallahassee Barristers, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Inc.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2007
Athalie Range
The late Mrs. Range was the first black woman elected to the City of Miami Commission and the first to serve in the Governor’s cabinet as Secretary of Community Affairs for the State of Florida. Her commanding presence was captured in the family room of her business, Range Funeral Homes.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Janet Reno
The 78th Attorney General of the United States and the first woman ever to hold the nation's top law enforcement job, was unanimously confirmed as U.S. Attorney General by the Senate, taking office in 1993. She served until 2001, making her the longest serving Attorney General in the 20th century. She was also the first woman to serve as a State Attorney in Florida. Ms. Reno is seen kayaking in Biscayne Bay at Matheson Hammock.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2007
Anna Rentz
Former president, Northern Trust Bank of Florida N.A. for Dade County where she is photographed, Anna served on the Board of Trustees of the Miami Art Museum, the Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Center Foundation of Greater Miami, the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Inc. and the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
The first Hispanic woman elected to the U.S. Congress and first to serve as chair of a U.S. House Subcommittee and dedicated leader in Congress, she has passed legislative projects to promote democracy and human rights. A former educator, she has also focused her efforts on improving the quality and accessibility of education for our nation’s youth. She is seen on the beach with her two daughters.
Photograph: by Scherley Busch 1998
Katherine Fernandez Rundle
Dade County State’s Attorney since 1993, Kathy is seen in front of Miami-Dade County Court Building. Influential in effecting major reforms in juvenile justice she created the state’s first Domestic Crime Unit, helped form the Dade Partners for Safe Neighborhoods, and was instrumental in insuring that Dade’s celebrated Drug Court become a reality.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Cristina Saralegui
Emmy award winner of the top rated Spanish-language talk show “Cristina”, which had been on the air for over 18 years. Cristina has her own star on Hollywood’s walk of fame and has recently ventured into the home furnishings arena with the hugely successful launch of: Casa Cristina.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Gwendolyn B Scott, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics and director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Gwendolyn was among the first to report the clinical and immunological manifestations of HIV infection in children. A leader on the first clinical trials of drugs that dramatically reduced perinatal HIV/AIDS transmission, she has served as a consultant and advisor to national and world health organizations, and is a key author of the U.S. guidelines on perinatal HIV/AIDS transmission. She has received many awards for her contributions to the expansion of medical knowledge through research.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2005
Ruth Shack
Former Metropolitan Dade County Commissioner and President of the Dade Community Foundation, Ruth is photographed in her office overlooking Miami, the community she serves so well.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Donna E. Shalala
Donna Shalala is President and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami where she is photographed on campus. She has held tenured professorships at several prominent Universities and is recognized as a leading scholar on the political economy of state and local governments. In 1993, President Clinton appointed her the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). She became the longest serving HHS Secretary in U.S. history.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2006
Alex Sink
Photographed in front of the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Alex Sink was elected Chief Financial Officer of Florida in 2006. Her responsibilities included monitoring the state's fiscal health and managing more than $74 billion in tax dollars. She has been a trailblazer in the financial world for nearly 30 years. Her distinguished banking career culminated in her rise to president of Florida’s largest bank serving as Florida president of Bank of America. Committed to community service, Sink has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award, the Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay Spirit of Achievement Legacy Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice Service Award and the Wake Forest University Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2007
Frosene Sonderling
Honored as Philanthropist of the Year, the late Frosene was dedicated to many charitable organizations. She was Chairman Emeritus of the Florida Grand Opera and Board Member for the Miami City Ballet, the Children’s Resource Fund, the Animal Welfare Society, National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, and the Performing Arts Center Foundation of Greater Miami. She is seen in her home.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1998
Katy Sorenson
The President and CEO of The Good Government Initiative at the University of Miami, which educates elected officials at the state and local level in issues of governance.
Katy was elected to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in 1994 and served as its vice chair from 2004 - 2006. She voluntarily left office in 2010. Her commitment to civic activism earned her the first Marjory Stoneman Douglas Environmental Award from the Friends of the Everglades, the Elected Official of the Year award from the Dade Cultural Alliance, and the Elaine D. Gordon Award from Planned Parenthood, among many others. She is photographed in downtown Miami’s Government Center.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Laurinda Spear
An award-winning architect, Laurinda has been framed by a touch of red under an umbrella in a gentle rain in front of her home. She co-founded Arquitectonica with husband Bernard Fort-Brescia. Making headlines and sky-lines with an unconventional modernism, she received the Rome Prize in Architecture.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Mary McLaughlin Spencer
A business leader and philanthropist, has impacted countless lives – locally and nationally – through her charitable giving. Her involvements have included The Community Partnership for the Homeless, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Siena Heights University, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Her early career was in communications – including radio, television, advertising and public relations. Today she is an investor and overseas her interests in Holding Capital Group, the company founded by her late husband of 47 years Sash Spencer. Mary photographed with an image of Sash, has carried on their mutual commitment to the arts and charitable causes.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Barbara Stein
Co-founder and Executive Producing Director of the Actor’s Playhouse, Barbara is photographed in the lobby of the theatre’s home, the historic Miracle Theater in Coral Gables. A person who cares about the quality of life in her community, she dedicates herself to making dreams come true.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Rosario “Charin” Suarez
Dancing to the rhythm of nature, Rosario is photographed by the ocean in South Florida. She was prima ballerina and founder of the Ballet Cubano de Miami and currently is the Director of Rosario Suarez Academy.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1997
Rosa Sugrañes
Former chairman of the Board and founder of Iberia Tiles, Rosa served as a member of the Board of Trustees of FIU, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, Member of the Miami Advisory Board of the Knight Foundation, and former Chairman of Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch. Rosa, an avid art collector, is seen in her home.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2005
Maria Elena Toraño
A political activist and retired CEO of META, Inc., one of the nation’s fastest growing Hispanic businesses, Maria Elena is seen as she balances her executive intensity with an at home moment of relaxation.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1995
Grace Wang, M.D.
Grace demonstrates commitment to her patients in spirit, intellect, emotion and action treating patients with life threatening cancers. She is a leader in Oncology treatment, serving on professional boards including the Wellness Community, American Cancer Society- Miami–Dade/Monroe Unit board of Directors, Day of Caring and Chairperson of the Baptist Oncology Committee. She is photographed in her office reviewing patient files.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2006
Sylvia Whyte
Recognized as a top designer of children’s wear and as one of the most influential women in the children’s clothing industry for decades, Sylvia was photographed in her home.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992
Carol Williamson
Treasurer and Partner of Williamson Cadillac Buick GMC, Carol Williamson is known for her community activism, goodwill, generosity and commitment to making life better for everyone around her. She embraces social change through charities such as People for the American Way, Save Dade, The YES Institute and the United Way among many other organizations.
Photographed in the dealership showroom, Carol has been part of the family team with her husband and son, earning GM Dealer of the Year numerous times, and the Cadillac Master Dealer Award for more than 30 years.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 2012
Tere Zubizarreta
Hispanic advertising pioneer and former president of Zubi Advertising, the late Tere was captured in her spiritual essence, in her beloved Ermita de la Caridad. She was co-founder and past chairperson of FACE (Facts About Cuban Exiles) and was the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the United Way of America Board of Governors, serving as its Ethics Committee Chair.
Photograph: Scherley Busch 1992