The Women’s Club of Costa Rica: 2000 – present
2000
60th Anniversary! Dorothy Boone was president. The March luncheon at the Costa Rica Country Club featured a musical revue celebrating the club’s anniversary with a sentimental ‘train’ journey in music, dance and fashion from the 40’s right up to the millennium. The New York, New York gala held at the Costa Rica Country Club was also a musical affair, featuring famous tenor Rudolfo González, the music of West Side Story, and an auction, with proceeds of $14,000. An award was received from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in recognition of WCCR’s 60 years of distinguished service to the community and the nation. After consultation with the Instituto Nacional de las Mujures WCCR honored its 60th anniversary by donating $15,000 to production of a radio novela (story) by Voces Nuestra on the subject of domestic violence. The 25-part story, “La Otra Cara del Amor” was aired twice a day Monday to Friday, has been shown in 25 countries, is still being aired today, and won the prestigious “Columbine” award for Documentary on Women’s Issues in 2002 at the annual Moondance Festival in Boulder, Colorado.
2001
Dorothy Boone served her second term as president. The Viva Las Vegas gala held at the Intercontinental Hotel featured a casino, night club review, silent auction, dancing and a guest appearance by Elvis! The event raised a record $24,400. Student Merit Awards were presented at an Intercontinental Hotel brunch which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Scholarship program, now funding 158 students with $100 each, grades 7 to 10. A pilot project for university scholarships was also established in memory of Past President Betty Dahlstrom.
2002
Jean Watson and Nina McGibbon both served as president in 2002. The Old Havana gala was held in May at the Intercontinental Hotel with a charity casino and auction, raising $15,600.
2003
Rhoda Obolensky served as president. Many mini-fund-raisers were held, such as themed dinners, concerts, and more.
2004
This was Anne Sobel’s first term in office. Isabel Atienza’s brainchild, Reading is Fun! program, was established under the Social Services committee. It provides books, chairs, tables, floor pads, etc. to primary schools who have appropriate space and someone responsible to act as Librarian. The 43rd annual Bazaar was held at the Country Day School in Escazú.
2005
Three-time Grammy award-winning group Editus joined with WCCR to produce a benefit concert at the Auditoria Nacional.
Anne Sobel served her second year as president. The annual Scholarship Brunch was held May 12 to provide assistance to 130 students in 31 public high schools.
2006
Fashions and music of the 40’s were celebrated at the In the Mood gala attended by 200 people at the Intercontinental Hotel during Grace Woodman-Fernandes term as president. It also featured a silent auction and raffle with a grand prize of 2 tickets on Continental Airlines. The event raised $14,900.
2007
Anne Kreupeling was President when the Carnaval gala was held in May at the Marriott Hotel, featuring dancing to the Grupo Expresso. With a mega-raffle, auction and mask sales incorporated, the event netted $12,900 for Scholarship and Social Services programs. Another bilingual Cookbook was produced, called Kitchen Pleasures.
2008
The exciting Fiesta Brasileña held at El Rodeo Country Inn in San Antonio de Belén featured a raffle, silent auction, bocas, multi-course dinner, Brazilian music and dancers. It was Anne Kreupeling’s second term as President. The Annual Bazaar at Country Day School in November featured a popular Food Court, ”Bocas del Mundo”, for the second year.
2009
Bonnie Murry served as president. A highly successful auction, themed Under the Rainbow, was held at the Aurola Holiday Inn netted over $16,000 for Social Service programs. Costa Rican astronaut Dr. Franklin Chang paid a congratulatory visit to the event via Skype video conference from Texas. Fund-raising endeavors over the past five years enabled donations exceeding $154,000 for the Scholarship Committee and $51,000 for Social Service programs, including Reading is Fun!
2010
70th Anniversary In 2010 the club initiated university scholarships as a pilot project. The club is indebted to Anne Sobel and Roslyn Beswick for ten years of scholarship leadership for high schools. With Bonnie Murry in her second term of office, the year began with a February 10th anniversary luncheon at the Aurola Holiday Inn and the presentation of a 15-minute documentary of WCCR’s seven decades of good times and good works. In July a new interest group was started, the Professional Women’s Network (PWN). This group meets on Saturdays and some evenings to enable working women to attend; speakers are invited to discuss topics of interest to them, and there is always an opportunity for networking.
2011
Pat MacKinnon is president with a membership of 320. The big May fundraiser was “A Night at the Museum” held at the Museo de Arte Costarricense in Sabana Park. This building was the original airport for Costa Rica. The event was lovely with tours of the art exhibits, Columbian traditional music, silent and live auctions, and delicious food provided by 9 different restaurants under a tent in the sculpture garden.