In 1966 funeral director Athelie Range was appointed to the Miami City Commission, the first black and the third woman. She later became head of the newly created state agency of community affairs.
Audrey Finkelstein has hosted Straight Talk on WLRN-FM National Public Radio since 1972. She is a member of the Community Advisory Board for WLRN Channel 17 and FM radio, secretary for the YWCA board of trustees, chair of the Advisory Council for Volunteer Referral Services and chair of Community Relations at Cedars Medical Center. She is a board member of the Dade County Community Relations Board and chair of the Advisory Council for the Rape Treatment Center. She is active in the Girl Scouts on the local and national levels, and is chair of the American Jewish Committee's oral history project. Among her University of Miami accomplishments are the creation of Alumnites (Alumni Education Lecture Series) and Alumni College, Alumni Education Week. She has received many honors, including the University of Miami Alumnus of the Year Award and Mental Health volunteer of the Year award.
Molly Turner's varied television career spanned 37 years, from 1951 to 1989. She began as a singer on a country and western program on WTVJ. During the 1950s, she often appeared live 25 times weekly on three different local stations. Later, she served as Public Affairs Director and co-anchor for the Midday News at Channel 10. The was the first woman newscaster on local television. She received three EMMYS for investigative reporting. Molly Turner was a charter member of the Dade County Commission of the Status of Women and founding president of the Gold Coast Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television. A leader on women's issues, her efforts in 1970 led to the admission of women to the male-only Tiger Bay Club. Not one to rest in retirement, she currently serves on the boards of the Miami Chapter of the National Academy of Tevelevision Arts and Sciences, the Council for International Visitors, the Miami International Press Club, the Family Friends Project, and the Coral Gables Cable Board. She also works on the Special Events Committee of the YWCA.
Since 1984 Nikki Beare has been a voice for feminist issues. She helped found the Dade County National Organization for Women (NOW), and served as its president in 1971. She has also served on the national board of directors of NOW. Since that time, she has also been active in the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), on the local and state levels. She has campaigned and lobbied for a number of reforms and candidates; most recently, for example, she helped pass legislation to establish a State Commission on the Status of Women and to make it a state goal to attain gender balance on state boards and commissions. Beare is president of Nikki Beare & Associates, a corporate communications firm specializing in health, financial, and travel fields.
Thelma Gibson serves on numerous boards, and participates in several civic and community organizations. She serves as president of the Theodore R. Gibson Memorial Fund. She recently organized the T. R. Gibson Unity and Communication Center, which strives to foster a oneness among South Florida's ethnic communities, as well as improve national and international relations, through networking. She is a founding member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of South Floirda, Black Investors of Dade County, and the Manatee Bay Club. She serves on the boards of the Public Health Trust, the Visiting Nurst Association, the Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community, Coconut Grove Cares, and United Way of Dade County.
Bea Hines has written for the Miami Herald since 1970. She was baptized with fire on her first day on the job, for on that day Miami experienced its second racial disturbance in two years; and Bea Hines was sent out to cover it. In 1981, her columns were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize; although she did not win, the nomination for her was a victory. In 1984, she was selected by the Washington, DC, Spelman Alumni Chapter as one of four outstanding women in the country for community work. In 1985, the Miami Herald chose her as one of three employees from among over 4,000 to receive a Service Among Us award for her community service.
Pantin is chairman and CEO of META, Inc., a multi-disciplinary consulting firm, which provides services and support to the federal government, state and local agencies, and private organizations. She is a former president of the National Association of Spanish Broadcasters and a former Associate Director for Public Affiars, U.S. Community Services, during the Carter administration. Torano-Pantin serves as a member of the U.S. Commission on Minority Business Development and as a member of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute. She serves on the Florida Education Accountability Commission and the Florida Free Cuba Commission. She is a member of the National Hispanic Leadership Institute and the Latin Ameriacn Management Association, and is on the boards of the U.S. Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida.
In 1977 Mary Ann Ballard opened Cauley Square, a cluster of shops in several rennovated, Goulds buildings. She has operated this popular destination until it was badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew. She hopes to restore and reopen Cauley Square. Mary Ann Ballard studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Jacksonville Art Institute. She opened an art studio in Goulds in the early 1950s, and subsequently worked as an interior decorator. She has decorated more that 40 Florida banks, as well as savings and loan associations and other commercial buildings.
Dr. Pratt was born in Coconut Grove in 1896. She received a Doctor of Humanities degree from the University of Arkansas, and taught school. One of the founding members of Mt. Olivette Baptist Church, she has been active in the church for more than 50 years. She is past treasurer of the Inter-Racial Mother's Club, district president of the Atlantic Coast Baptist Association, and worthy matron of the Victoria Ward Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
Mercedes C. Sandoval is a professor of Social Sciences at Miami-Dade Community College, and recently was given the endowed chair in Social Sciences. She has lectured extensively, at the college, at professional meetings, and in the community. Her lectures and writings have covered such diverse topics as Cuban and Cuban-American culture, mental health, and Santeria. Sandoval has a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the Universidad de la Habana and a Ph.D. in History and Culture of the Americas from the Universidad de Madrid. Post-doctoral studies have added counseling and psychology to her areas of expertise.
Silvia M. Unzueta has worked in Dade County government since 1975, in a variety of positions. She was a coordinator of the Mariel boat lift in 1980, and sought asylum for Haitian refugees. Her work led to the creation of the Beacon Council. She worked briefly for the City of Miami as the first woman Assistant to the City Manager in 1985, and in 1986 became Superintendent for Arts and Community Affairs with the County Park and Recreation Department, the position she currently holds. She is the first woman and first Hispanic to hold that rank. Ms. Unzueta served as president of the YWCA of Greater Miami. She is currently national Vice President of the YWCA. She is also a member of the national board and executive committee of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
Real estate businesswoman Norma Kipnis Wilson served on the University of Miami Board of Trustees from 1972 to 1978. She is a member of the board and executive committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is chair of the Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She participated in the White House conference on school volunteer programs and has served on the board of directors of the New World Festival of the Arts.
In 1988 Angela Bellamy became the first woman to serve as assistant city manager for the City of Miami. She is recognized locally and nationally for her professionalism, integrity, dedication, and standards of excellence. Mrs. Bellamy has played an active role in promoting the arts, encouraging education, serving as a mentor and role model to females and youth, and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of our community.
Dr. Louise Cason is Director of Ambulatory Services at Miami Children's Hospital. As a pediatrician, she has focused on children's needs, and is active in NOW, Coconut Grove Cares, Children's Service Bureau, the Catholic Welfare Bureau, and other organizations. She is an expert on polio.
Since 1988, Calderin has served as chief executive officer for Pan American Hospital. She is treasurer of the South Florida Hospital Association, chairwoman of the Florida Hospital Workmen.