By Sally Jackson, event chair of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County’s 2020 Grande Dames Tea
If only we knew then what we know now…
Our experiences in life – both good and challenging – instill wisdom. With time, we gain a new perspective on the world before us.
For younger generations, the opportunity to learn from those who have gone through the ups and downs of life is invaluable.
Each year, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County honors three local women for their roles in business, community and philanthropy through its Grande Dames Tea. The celebration captures the contributions these women have made in a very unique way through its theme, “The Wisdom of Time – Honoring the Female Spirit,” which represents the powerful perspectives and insights honorees have gained throughout their life journeys and the importance of passing this knowledge along to future generations.
This year’s Grande Dames – Marie Ackord, Marilyn Stout and Barbara Watt-Biggs – will be recognized for their significant impact on the community through decades of service and helping others.
These women can serve as role models for absolutely anyone in the room, as well as throughout the community.
Marie Ackord was the first in her family to graduate from college and went into a 43-year career in education as a teacher and human relations specialist while also serving many local organizations through recognition and appointments by two Florida governors, the City of Cape Coral, Lee County Commissioners and the City of Fort Myers.
She was instrumental in establishing the Fort Myers Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the foundation of its Deltas Life Development Center, which has provided college preparation services to thousands of local students.
Marilyn Stout is a council member for the City of Cape Coral and has fulfilled many leadership roles for political organizations, also serving as a mentor for other local women beginning their careers in the political sector.
She has a long history of community involvement, including serving 14 years on the elected board of Lee Health and with several other local organizations.
Barbara Watt-Biggs changed career paths when she was 47 years old, establishing Century 21 Sunbelt Realty in Cape Coral.
She grew the Sunbelt franchise from a four-person operation to a 400-person powerhouse covering Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties recognized as No. 1 worldwide by Century 21, and also established a nonprofit foundation in her name, which has helped contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to many local causes.
The most inspirational part of the Grande Dames Tea is when honorees share words of wisdom and advice during a Q&A session led by the Pace girls. During this special event, the Pace girls will learn that these successful business and community leaders are not unlike them – they, too, have experienced heartbreak and the hardships of life. Furthermore, they have risen above their challenges to find success and happiness, serving as an inspiring example for the Pace girls, and every other person in attendance. The theater is filled with smiles, laughter and sometimes tears as the women share their stories and insight.
Pace Center for Girls’ mission is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy. Girls entering Pace’s programs are working to overcome risk factors such as academic failures, poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, grief and physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Pace’s strength-based, gender-specific programs are designed to help these young women find their voice, achieve their potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity, and grace.
The 12th annual Grande Dames Tea event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 at Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. Tickets are available at www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee or by calling 239-425-2366.
The girls and young women of Pace are providing a special contribution this year with handmade tea party fascinator hats. Dozens of beautiful, one-of-a-kind headpieces are available through Pace Center for Girls, Lee County’s Facebook page for guests to purchase and wear to the Grande Dames Tea. Proceeds from the event and fascinators benefit Pace and its strength-based, gender-specific programs that guide Pace girls in finding their voice and achieving their potential.
It’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss.
About the Author
Sally Jackson is vice president of the board of directors for Pace Center for Girls, Lee County and event chair of the 2020 Grande Dames Tea celebration on March 10, which recognizes local women for their roles in business, community and philanthropy.
