Marco Island Woman’s Club – Please Join Us!

“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), an active social network of women dedicated to serving and improving our community. Chartered in 1966 by a group of 16 Marco Island ladies, the Club has grown to over 150 members, touching our community with a lasting impact that will soar to new heights as we embrace and nurture the future. 

We are getting ready to kick off our 2024-25 season. Our first official luncheon of the year will be Wednesday, October 2, at 11:30 AM at Naples Lakes Country Club, 4784 Naples Lakes Blvd, Naples, 34112. Our theme for the luncheon will be “Paint the Club Pink” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It will be a celebration of life in the spirit of peace, love, and light. Luminaria, in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of loved ones lost, will light up the room with an energy of courage, strength, and hope. MIWC President Maureen Chodaba, a 29-year breast cancer survivor will share her personal story with the mission to raise awareness that will save lives. “In 1968, I watched my grandmother die of the disease. Ten years later, my mother would be diagnosed. In 1995, I received my own diagnosis of not one, but of two distinct types of breast cancer. Awareness and early detection are the keys to survival,” she says. “Our Luminaria will honor those who have experienced any form of the disease, not just breast cancer. When you raise awareness of one type of cancer, you raise awareness of all types. Cancer is a villain that comes like a thief in the night, stealing our loved ones and destroying lives. Together, we can fight this bully of a disease.” 

The Marco Island Woman’s Club Charitable Foundation has proudly given to the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program, a patient support service that provides transportation to cancer treatments for patients in need. Club members have been the helping hands of volunteerism at the American Cancer Society Imagination Ball and Little Pink Houses of Hope, a vacation retreat for breast cancer patients and their families.

You have probably seen the ladies of MIWC at other community events as well. We are the “Ladies in the Blue Shirts,” always pitching in to help at events like Camp Able, Meals of Hope, Beach Cleanup, and so much more! 

The October luncheon will kick off a busy fulfilling year for MIWC. Plans for future gatherings include speakers from the National Audubon Society/Burrowing Owls, Marco Island Shell Club, Habitat for Humanity, SW FL Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and even a holiday luncheon with music by Marco Island’s very own Rosetta Stone. Our special interest groups include Book Clubs, a Theater Group, a Card Group, and more. Our Travel Club is currently planning a trip to see Beautiful at the Wick Theatre in February. For years, our Stitchers Group has blanketed the little ones of Golisano Children’s Hospital with love, hope, and healing. The group has created and donated thousands of items, including blankets, hats, sweater sets, and booties. 

Our annual Fashion Show will be held on President’s Day, February 17, 2025, at Naples Lakes. This phenomenal event will raise funds to provide scholarships for students living on Marco Island and support other charitable causes. Details of sponsorship opportunities can be found on our website. 

So, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to join so you can take part in all our upcoming events! We invite all women who live on Marco Island, full-time or seasonal, whether you own or rent, to join us as we embark on a new year of volunteerism, friendship, and fun in the spirit of goodwill for our community. For more information, please visit https://marcowomansclub.com.