Spring 2025 Edition - Quarterly Newsletter of The Miami Woman’s Club
By Metris Coley Batts - President of The Miami Woman’s Club
Voices of Impact: A Season of Leadership, Legacy & Purposeful Service
As spring blossoms in 2025, The Miami Woman’s Club continues to advance its mission of service, leadership, and advocacy with renewed energy and intention. From powerful presentations on the status of women and community engagement workshops to impactful fundraising events and bold new initiatives, this season reflects our unwavering commitment to equity, empowerment, and meaningful change. United in purpose and strengthened by sisterhood, we carry the torch forward—illuminating paths of progress, compassion, and connection across Miami-Dade and beyond.
May 12, 2025 - General Meeting Highlights
March Highlights: March brought powerful moments of leadership and advocacy
The Miami Woman’s Club hosted a powerful and purposeful meeting that exemplified our commitment to women’s leadership, equity, and service.
Dr. Rose Martin, Director of the Miami-Dade Commission for Women and our Club’s own 2nd Vice President, delivered a compelling presentation on the 2024 Status of Women in Miami-Dade County. Drawing from the County’s official report, she shed light on disparities in health access, income inequality, domestic violence, and political representation. Her remarks challenged members to remain advocates for women’s equity and empowered them with local data to drive conversations and community action.
Virginia Yemolie, GFWC District 11 Chair, brought greetings on behalf of the District and introduced the GFWC President’s Special Project: “A Fight to Honor,” which supports veterans and military families. Members responded with heartfelt generosity, raising $300 during the meeting to contribute to the Honor Flight initiative. The Club’s involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to civic engagement and national service.
The March meeting also served as a moment to reflect on the broader mission of the Club—to educate, uplift, and activate women across generations. It set the tone for a vibrant and socially responsive spring season.
March 14, 2025
Power of the Purse Fundraiser
Members of the Miami Woman’s Club proudly attended the Power of the Purse fundraiser hosted by the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, an annual event focused on advancing economic justice and opportunity for women and girls in the region.
The event brought together changemakers, philanthropists, and advocates for gender equity, spotlighting the urgent need to close the wage gap, support women-led businesses, and create inclusive pathways for economic empowerment.
Club members used their presence not only to support the cause financially but also to network with fellow leaders and organizations committed to uplifting women through policy, entrepreneurship, education, and social investment.
Their attendance reinforced the Club’s ongoing advocacy for women’s rights and positioned the Miami Woman’s Club as a key community partner in building a stronger, more equitable Miami.
March 15, 2025
No More Broken Hearts Workshop
The Miami Woman’s Club proudly participated in the 25th Annual No More Broken Hearts Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop, founded by District 2 School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall. This long-standing community initiative has empowered and educated thousands over the years, and for the past 10 years, our Club has been a proud partner and active contributor.
This year’s workshop featured the return of our signature installation, “The Empty Seat at the Table,” curated by member Linda Joseph. The powerful display served as a solemn reminder of the lives lost to domestic violence. The installation allowed visitors to reflect on the physical and emotional void left behind when a loved one is no longer at the table.
A highlight of the day was a personal guided tour of the healing gallery provided to Miami-Dade County School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas, who praised the Club’s commitment to education and awareness.
Students from Urgent Inc. engaged deeply with the interactive exhibits, which included storytelling boards on the stages of abuse, stations for healing through art, and journaling prompts on trauma recovery. These young voices brought vital energy to conversations around teen dating violence, a growing concern in today’s social climate.
The Club also used this platform to introduce its Words Matter Campaign, launching a petition to abolish the term “wife beater.” The campaign challenges harmful language and calls for more respectful, trauma-informed communication when discussing domestic violence.
The workshop concluded with a powerful breathwork session that supported emotional grounding and collective healing, reminding all attendees of the importance of self-care as a form of resistance and restoration.
April 2025
State of the Club Address & Special Guest Speaker
During the April general meeting, President Metris Coley Batts delivered a dynamic and visionary State of the Club Address, reflecting on the Club’s progress and setting the tone for continued growth as the organization approaches its 125th anniversary.
She emphasized two core pillars of the Club’s advancement:
Membership Growth & Engagement – The Club has welcomed new members with energy and purpose, strengthened retention, and expanded leadership opportunities for both new and longstanding members. Through events, community projects, and consistent communication, member participation remains at an all-time high—fostering sisterhood and sustainability.
Community Impact – Members were celebrated for their commitment to service. From volunteering at food pantries to assembling hygiene kits for those in need and building intergenerational connections through outreach programs, the Miami Woman’s Club continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of Miami-Dade residents.
Following the address, the Club welcomed GFWC Florida 1st Vice President Jolie Frankfurth as guest speaker. Ms. Frankfurth delivered an uplifting and powerful message about the lifelong impact of volunteerism, emphasizing how intentional acts of service not only uplift others but also nurture personal growth, connection, and resilience. Her visit underscored the value of women’s leadership in action—reminding members that local service is the heartbeat of global change.
Read State of the Club Address: Reporting April 2024 - April 2025
May 2025
May Milestones – Club Highlights
May was a dynamic month filled with progress, celebration, and meaningful contributions that closed out the Club’s spring season on a high note.
Adopted Revised Bylaws
The Club formally adopted a new set of bylaws—its first major revision since 2016. This milestone reflects the Club’s commitment to maintaining organizational transparency, efficiency, and alignment with modern governance practices. Members participated in a thoughtful review process, ensuring the updated bylaws reflect the Club’s current goals, structure, and values.
Distributed the Golden Ticket Arts Guide
All eligible members received a copy of the Golden Ticket Arts Guide, a unique resource produced by Miami-Dade County that grants residents aged 62 and older free access to cultural events and arts programming throughout the year. This initiative not only promotes arts participation but also encourages lifelong learning, creative engagement, and social connection among seniors.
Donated 12 Laptops at the 10th Annual Women’s Motorcycle Association Network College Trunk Party
The Miami Woman’s Club proudly participated in this annual send-off celebration by donating 12 brand-new laptops to graduating high school seniors. These students are headed to top universities, including:
🎓 Florida State University (FSU)
🎓 Florida International University (FIU)
🎓 Penn State University
🎓 Howard University
🎓 Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
🎓 Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
🎓 Livingstone College (athletic scholarship recipient)
This act of generosity equips students with tools for academic success and symbolizes the Club’s belief in education as a pathway to empowerment.
Students attending: FSU, FIU, Penn State, Howard, FAU, FGCU, Livingstone College
A Taste of France
In May, the Miami Woman’s Club delighted members and guests with its first-ever French Wine Tasting, an elegant evening that blended culture, education, and camaraderie.
The event offered a curated selection of French wines—each paired with a brief tasting note and cultural insight to enhance the experience. Guests explored flavor profiles from iconic French wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley, while learning about the traditions and histories behind each vintage.
More than just a tasting, the evening was a celebration of sisterhood and global appreciation. Members enjoyed lively conversations, learned something new, and deepened their connections over shared laughter and clinking glasses. The atmosphere was warm, sophisticated, and filled with joyful discovery—hallmarks of the Miami Woman’s Club spirit.
This successful cultural event opened the door for future themed tastings and continues to elevate the Club’s offerings in arts, culture, and social enrichment.
📌 CLUB NEWS & REMINDERS
✉️ Have Something to Share? Submissions for the next edition of The Torch are due by July 1, 2025. Photos, member highlights, and upcoming events welcome!
Closing Reflection
Now in its 125th year, the Miami Woman’s Club stands as a beacon of service, scholarship, and solidarity. From tech training and domestic violence prevention to cultural engagement and youth empowerment, MWC continues to lead with heart and purpose.
– The Communications Committee, The Miami Woman’s Club