Marco Island Woman’s Club 60-Year Diamond Jubilee High Tea

“Why you were born and why you are living depends on what you are getting out of this world, and what you are giving.” That is the motto of the Marco Island Woman’s Club (MIWC), a network of women who have been making a positive impact on our community for sixty years. Naples Lakes Country Club was a vision of elegance and loveliness as we celebrated our legacy with a Diamond Jubilee High Tea. The ladies were adorned in stylish hats, fascinators, and even white gloves as 108 members and guests enjoyed delightful finger sandwiches, spinach salad, scones, and mini pastries, the perfect delicacies for this incredibly special tea party.

MIWC President Tammy Barstow welcomed the crowd, as Shirley Thayer traditionally led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and musical rendition of God Bless America. Honorary Memberships were presented to Shirley Thayer and Catherine Thomas for their long-term commitment and service to the organization. Membership Chair Joyce Frame welcomed new member Judy Wheeler to our club. Two-time Past President Sharyn Kampmeyer delivered the invocation that encouraged us to cherish our roots and embrace our future. Our future is indeed very bright. We rejoiced in the legacy of why MIWC was born, why, over so many years, it continues to not only live, but to grow and thrive, and what we are giving back to our community.

MIWC Historian Carol Schwalje called upon us to contemplate the creation of a diamond. These one-of-a-kind gems are naturally formed by their very environment. Years of heat and pressure miraculously create an item of brightness, sparkle, and fine beauty. But that’s not all it takes to create such a valuable gem. Diamonds have a unique structure where each carbon atom must be bonded to others. This is what gives a natural diamond its exceptional strength and hardness. And so, it has been with MIWC in reaching our Diamond Jubilee. Our positive energy and vision are the heat. Our bond with one another is our fortitude and endurance. 

MIWC was founded in 1966 by sixteen women who found themselves living in a new developing community called Marco Island. With only a wooden swing bridge to access the island, it felt remote and disconnected from the mainland. These ladies felt a strong need for friendship and connection. Sheila Howard was one of the founding members of MIWC and served on the Board as First Vice President. She was a nineteen-year-old brand-new bride who came to Marco Island with her husband, Larry, an employee of the Deltona Corporation, the developer of this new community. Sheila, who now lives in North Fort Myers, joined us for our High Tea celebration, sharing her memories of the early days of MIWC and of Marco Island. She recalled the tremendous support of Deltona, as they welcomed the ladies for a Kickoff Luncheon at the Marco Beach Hotel and Villas (now the JW Marriott). Sheila spoke of the very first volunteer activity of MIWC at a memorial ceremony that was held for professional golfer Tony Lema, who had once played at the Island Country Club as a traveling golf celebrity. She recalled her cherished friendship with Lillian Binns, the very first President of MIWC, and the support that MIWC received from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club right up the coast. MIWC is proud to recognize Sheila Howard as our Honorary Founding Member.

Did you know that MIWC’s earliest accomplishment was the founding of the Marco Island Public Library? It first began in 1967 as a volunteer effort at the fire station. Deltona later donated its old “Welcome to Marco” Polynesian-style sales shack for the cause. For the first five years, MIWC volunteers staffed the library, including weekly trips to exchange books with the Naples Library.

MIWC is deeply grateful to the Marco Island Historical Museum for preserving and sharing our rich history with our community and visitors. Museum Curator Heather Otis attended our tea with an impressive display of treasured historical items that showcase our accomplishments over the past sixty years. 

Today we are more than 160 members strong! Our accomplishments and support for the community have continued to grow and expand. Through the Marco Island Woman’s Club Charitable Foundation, our significant donations to schools, civic, and health organizations have included Al’s Pals, Alzheimer’s Association (Collier County), American Cancer Society (Marco Island), American Legion Post 404, Autism Association (Collier County), MI Center for the Arts, Marco Island Dementia Respite, MI Fire Foundation, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Our Daily Bread, Foundation of Collier County Women and Children, MI Historical Society, Kiwanis Foundation MI Children’s Dental Program, Mackle Park, Marco Island Academy, MI Public Library, MI Youth Baseball Fund, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, YMCA of Collier County, the MI Cemetery, Camp Able, Little Pink Houses of Hope, and more.

One of the most important projects of the Marco Island Woman’s Club is our dedicated support of higher education for local students. Since 1989, MIWC has awarded over $945,000 to more than 270 well-deserving recipients. In May 2027, we expect to reach a cumulative total of more than $1,000,000 in scholarships to local students through the Marco Island Woman’s Club Education Foundation.

How do we do all these amazing things? We raise funds throughout the year to support this mission. Be sure to check out MIWC-60thDiamondJubilee.VIP or https://online.fliphtml5.com/Events-MIWC/bgpo/#p=1 to learn about our annual Fashion Show Fundraiser! “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” will be held at Naples Lakes Country Club on February 22, 2027. Sponsorship opportunities are available. All funds raised will be given back to our community in scholarships and support of local charities through the MIWC Charitable Foundation. A gift to MIWC is a gift to our entire community. Your generosity today empowers the future for many generations to come.

Membership to the Marco Island Woman’s Club is available to all women who live on Marco Island or Goodland, full-time or part-time, whether you own or rent. We would love to welcome you to our club! Please visit https://marcowomansclub.com to learn more about membership, events, special interest groups, legacy opportunities, and more.