shirley_gibson_053112_web.jpgMIAMI LAKES — The Embrace Girl Foundation Inc. gives a nod to Women’s History Month by honoring local women who have been supportive of the organization. The women will be feted at 2 p.m. March 31 at Florida Memorial University during a meet-and-greet with Roslyn Clark-Artis, an honoree and the university’s first women president.

Other honorees include Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, former Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson, Miami-Dade School Board member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall and radio personality Tamara Gant.

“These women will be recognized for their mentorship and all that they have done for the organization as well,” said Embrace Girl’s executive director, Velma R. Lawrence.

The Embrace Girl Foundation is a not-for-profit that provides after-school programs, camps and events for girls. The foundation is known for its celebrity attended tea parties, the latest coming up on March 30, at which actress, author and comedian Kim Coles is expected to attend.

“She truly embraces girl power and all that the title describes. We’re looking forward to her visit with the girls,” said Lawrence, of Cole.
Coles said she’s eager to meet the group of girls and join the tea party. “I’ve heard quite a bit about these little girls and their beautiful teas and engaging conversations,” she said.

Coles’ career spans back to the 1990s. She has appeared in a host of shows including Frasier, Six Feet Under and The Geena Davis Show. She is best known for her roles on two of the 1990s hottest sitcoms: In Living Color  and Living Single.  She’s currently touring the country starring in the one-woman show Kim Coles’ Solo-Live ‘Oh But Wait, There’s More’ and promoting her most recent publication Gratitude Journal,  a book that celebrates “the gift you are and those in your life.”

Lawrence said the tea parties give the girls an opportunity to showcase their social, communication and etiquette skills learned as a result of their involvement in the program.

The tea party with Coles is scheduled to make at the American Girl Store at the Falls, 8888 SW 136 St., Miami, from 9:30 a.m. – noon. The next day, Coles will attend the meet and greet at FMU with Clark-Artis. International spoken word artist Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns will pay tribute to the women with a poem at the FMU event, Lawrence said.

The many dignitaries and celebrities who have supported the organization by attending previous tea parties include former Florida First Lady Columba Bush, University of Miami President Donna Shalala, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, The View’s Sherri Shepherd, Access Hollywood’s Terri Macleod, Civil Rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, actresses Keke Palmer, Kim Wayans and Janet Hubert as well as TV court show judges Lynn Toler, Glenda Hatchett, Marilyn Milian and Karen Mills-Francis.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH