CORAL GABLES, FL (February 2018) – The Junior League of Miami (JLM) announced the honorees of the organization’s 17^th annual “Women Who Make A Difference” luncheon, which will take place on Friday, March 9 at Hotel Colonnade in Coral Gables. Sponsored by Northern Trust, the event recognizes influential women who have made a distinctive impact on their community. WPLG Local10’s Laurie Jennings will emcee the event.

The luncheon is open to the public so that all community members can celebrate the amazing honorees and to learn more about the impact of the Junior League of Miami. Funds raised from the event support JLM’s community projects, such as Inn Transition North & South, which aids survivors of domestic violence and their children.

“Since our founding in 1889, Northern Trust has actively advanced a culture of caring and a commitment to give back to the communities we serve worldwide.  This philosophy continues today. Northern Trust employees have served the Junior League for several years.  We are proud to be a supporter and applaud the women who are being honored for their dedication and leadership to our community,” said Northern Trust Senior Vice President and Managing Director Marianne Devine, who also serves as President of the Junior League of Miami Foundation.

Arva Moore Parks, Victoria Cummock and Lubby Navarro will be recognized for their strength, persistence and their remarkable contributions to society, all characteristics that the Junior League of Miami has instilled in its members and in the community for more than 90 years.

The luncheon will also award the four winners of JLM’s scholarship program, which assists female high-school seniors in Miami-Dade public schools. Each year, the Uppaluri Family Foundation funds one of the awards by granting an applicant a one-year scholarship with the option to apply for funds for an additional three years. Longtime JLM member and Past President Erin Knight provides additional support for these scholarships.

“Our Women Who Make A Difference luncheon provides us the opportunity to honor extraordinary women, to celebrate the achievements of the League’s members and to support future efforts to improve our community,” said JLM Executive Vice President Carla Crossno. “It is a reminder that as advocates for those who need it most, we are creating change to improve our community.”

This year’s luncheon will recognize:

Arva Moore Parks is a renowned historian, author, publisher, preservation expert and a sustaining member of the Junior League.  She was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame and honored in Coral Gables as Citizen of the Year.  She is the author of Miami, The Magic City and George Merrick, Visionary Creator of Coral Gables, among others.

Victoria Cummock lost her husband in the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Since that dreadful date, she has become one of nation’s foremost activists, working in the areas of crisis management, aviation security and counter-terrorism.  Her work has been instrumental in many legislative changes, including the 1990 Aviation Security act.

Lubby Navarro, currently the District 7 School Board Member, has served more than 20 years in public service beginning in the Florida State Senate and the Florida House of Representatives, where she served as a legislative assistant to several members of the Florida Legislature. During her time in Tallahassee, she worked on key legislation, appropriations requests, and constituent matters for member districts throughout Miami-Dade County. She is additionally a member of the JLM Advisory Board, where she offers counsel to the chapter’s President.

To purchase individual tickets or to purchase a table at the luncheon, please visit http://bit.ly/2DDCVzL.

For sponsorship information, please contact Executive Vice President Carla Crossno at executivevp@jlmiami.org.

About the Junior League of Miami

The Junior League of Miami, founded in 1926, is an organization of approximately 1,000 women sharing a common vision to empower Miami’s women, children, and families to conquer tomorrow’s challenges and to build a united community. The mission of the Junior League of Miami is to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League concentrates its resources to make a significant impact on our community. This year, in addition to providing $150,000 in direct funding, another $600,000 in volunteer hours will be dedicated to the community for projects that address families at risk. For more information, visit www.jlmiami.org.

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