Florida Forum

WORLD-CLASS SERIES

The Florida Forum is an annual speaker series begun in 1992 and produced by The Women’s Board. Proceeds from this esteemed benefit—currently celebrating its 20th season— provide funding for select areas and programs to enhance the only in-patient, pediatric hospital in the region.

The Forums have enriched the intellectual and cultural life of Jacksonville for two decades, while contributing more than $6 million to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. This year’s series is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Landstar System, Inc. and Wells Fargo.

Connie Phillips and Beth Langley, 2011-2012 Florida Forum Chairs

The world-class series—featuring monarchs, entertainers, pundits, influential thinkers, business heavyweights, heads of state, and more—has welcomed a veritable “who’s who” of engrossing speakers, including Sir Richard Branson, Tom Wolfe, Queen Noor of Jordan, Bill Cosby, Anderson Cooper, Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Cal Ripkin, Jr., General Colin Powell, Barbara Walters, Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

See who’s involved in making this year’s Florida Forum a world-class series.

TED KOPPEL’S HOSPITAL VISIT

Patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital were treated to personal readings of The Cat in the Hat and Winnie-the-Pooh, personal favorites of award-winning veteran journalist Ted Koppel, who kicked off the 20th Anniversary Florida Forum season with his lecture on October 4, 2011.

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RECORD-BREAKING SEASON

With visits from former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, along with humanitarian Greg Mortenson, the Florida Forum raised $671,026 in its 19th season, surpassing all previous years’ fundraising totals.

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