Making a difference in island
lives since 1948
Compiled by Marcy Shortuse
Photos from Boca Beacon archives and the
Boca Grande Woman’s Club
For more than 70 years a small and somewhat silent
group of Boca Grande residents has been making
a dramatic impact on many lives. The Boca Grande
Woman’s Club, established in 1948, has donated millions
of dollars through the years to everything from the Boca
Grande Health Clinic to The Island School. They have sent
children to college who never thought they would be able to
go, they have helped to heal the sick through the use of
medical equipment funded through their donations, and they
have taken their money – and time – to make this island a much
better place for everyone.
In 1948 the Club was created by 25 women of the island who were
interested in helping island organizations thrive. Their club colors are blue and
silver and their signature fl ower is the hibiscus. The Club was federated in January of 1949, but in 1981
it was decided they resign from the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs in order to concentrate
efforts on more local interests.
Now, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is a prolifi c organization with more than 350 members, whose
year-long efforts support the two major philanthropies of the organization: College scholarships and
support of local non-profi t organizations.
In the early years, the Club sponsored annual Christmas and New Year’s Eve dances for the public,
supported the establishment of the Boca Grande Health Clinic and organized the annual Christmas
Tree Lighting ceremony (which they still do). They were also involved in various beautifi cation programs.
In 1966 the Club introduced and promoted the drive for a fresh water system for the island, which
replaced the antiquated cistern system used up until that time. The Boca Grande Woman’s Club took
the lead in developing a study that led to the establishment of the Boca Grande Community Center in
what had been the old school. The Club was also a leading fi nancial supporter of this project.
January/February 2020 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 57