A Word From the President

The History of The Leading Ladies

Photos of Past Events!

In the Beginning……At a meeting held in the conference room at Clearwater City Hall on February 24, 1981, Arnold Bremen, the first Executive Director of PACT, introduced Betty Colhoun, who had volunteered to chair a women’s auxiliary.  At that meeting, Betty proposed the name of “Inner Circle” for the auxiliary.  She said:  “It is up to all of us to pull the whole fundraising program together for PACT.  The joy of living is the joy of giving.”

And they called themselves….The group, always striving for excellence, continued to seek just the right title for this prestigious group.  Sometime in the fall of 1981, Gus and Frances Stavros were having dinner at the Belleview Biltmore when Dick and Betty Colhoun walked in.  Frances said to the group:  “Well, here comes our leading lady, Betty Colhoun.”  Dick said:  “That’s it, Betty!  That’s a great name for the group – The Leading Ladies.”  Among the many things we have to thank Frances Stavros for, we also have her to thank for our name, which was approved by the Directors of PACT in November of 1982.

The “Ladies” get to work….One of the first campaigns to raise money for the Hall was a campaign to name chairs in the theater for $1,000 a piece.  The chairs were sold through direct solicitation and at “Cocktails for Culture”.  The initial “Culture” party was a Sunday morning coffee given by the Carlisles, Carrs and Ullery’s.  You can still buy a chair today at that price and there are still a few available.

The first major fundraiser according to the record books was in the winter of 1981 for the opening of the Holiday Inn Surfside on Clearwater Beach, followed a year later by an “Escape Weekend” at Innisbrook.

The largest amount raised at a single fundraiser was over $160000 at the PACT for All Auction held on March 24, 1984 and co-chaired by Jane Rutenberg and Cynthia Kaiser.  They held an afternoon auction and a black tie dinner and auction.  Among the items were a putting green, a mounted African Cape Bull, an installed chain link fence, a new Cadillac and a special drawing for a brand new Lincoln Continental Mark VII.

Events & Fundraising

Notable Events….Over the years, the “Ladies” organized imaginative events to support PACT and the Hall.  A gift shop was opened in 1983 and eventually closed in 1990.  The first fashion show was chaired by Joan Kline in 1984.  Other shows followed, which developed into “Fashion Faires” – the brainstorm of Toni Alexander – held from 1995 to 1999.

There was a Country Western Ho-Down in February of 1985, with a barbeque and square dancing.  Other celebrity events held in 1985 were Town Hall meetings with Charlton Heston, Vincent Price, William Buckley, Art Buchwalk, Alexander Haig, Jack Anderson and Norman Mailer.

“In the Wings” was first published in the fall of 1983 with Myra Haas as editor.  The Leading Ladies charm was the idea of Wilsie Carr in the fall of 1983.  The first directory was published in the spring of 1983 with 213 names.

Over the years, Leading Ladies have held many different fundraisers such as “  Monte Carlo parties, auctions, golf tournaments, decorator showcases, Cinderella sales, black tie affairs and special travel packages, oneof which was a cruise on the QEII to London with a return flight on the Concorde.

The POSH Sales….The two fundraisers that seem to have staying power are POSH and Parties Potpourri.  POSH sales started in 1982 and were held annually through 1986.  Since then they have been held in even years.  Jane Homes chaired the first seven sales.  The first sale, which had only designer clothes, was held at the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center and was scheduled for two days, but everything sold out on the first day.

It is interesting that the POSH logo – a man in a top hat and tails and a woman dancing – has remained, although the slogan has changed from “Champagne Clothes…to Champagne Items at Ginger Ale Prices”.

Currently, the “Posh Sale” sponsored by the Leading Ladies of Ruth Eckerd Hall is held bi-annually in the Heye Great Room at the concert hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.  Almost and some new men’s, women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, women’s designer day and evening wear, toys, house wares, home accessories, books, tapes, games and much more are sold at huge bargains.  Proceeds benefit children’s educational programs at the Performing Arts Center and Theater complex, which includes Ruth Eckerd Hall. 

Parties Potpourri….”Parties Potpourri” was the brainstorm of Diana Fenn, who got the idea from Mabel Easton, who did parties for the Stewart Society in St. Petersburg.  Myra Haas and Terry McHarg gave the first party on September 21, 1985.  They had a “Lobster Luau” – must have been memorable…the police came three times to tell them they were making too much noise!  Fifteen parties were held that year with proceeds helping to subsidize “Adults at Leisure”.

Breakfast with Santa…The first annual Breakfast with Santa was held November 29, 2003.  The event was such a huge success that it is now held annually on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving in the Margarete Heye Great Room at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  A child-friendly breakfast buffet, crafts with the help of Santa’s Elves, a keepsake photo with Santa and more.  A great way to bring those special children in your life and start the holiday season! 

Fundraising for Educations Programs….During the presidency of Yvonne Gubner (1990-1992), it was decided to use the monies raised for educations programs at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  Over the years The Leading Ladies have given over $1 million to further educational programs at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

The Leading Ladies have been and will continue to be advocates and outstanding representatives in the community, educating others about the importance of arts, education and the performing arts in the life of the community.