History

In 1972, Ellen Cavert lost a grandchild, a twin born prematurely to her daughter, Ray Martin. It was then that Ellen was asked by Dr. J. W. Hayes to raise community awareness of the new children's hospital at Baptist Medical Center. In response to her personal loss, she formed The Women's Board in 1973, beginning with forty friends. Membership is now over 350 volunteers, women who have chosen as their charity this region's only dedicated children's inpatient healthcare facility. Wolfson Children's Hospital serves Florida, Georgia and patients from around the world. President Mary Pietan, and the Executive Committee lead the Women's Board. The continuing mission of the board is not only to raise community awareness of this unique facility, but to also fund state-of-the-art services, programs and equipment for the best healthcare for all children. Among the areas funded are: Radiology, Cystic Fibrosis Research, the Surgical Suite, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Emergency Center, the Adolescent Mental Health Unit and the Pediatric Cardiovascular Program. In 1993 the new Wolfson Children's Hospital opened and at the entrance is The Women's Board plaque, which states, "We joyfully dedicate the Rotunda to the children who are our inspiration, and to all whose faithful commitment ensures their finest care. This is the spirit and mission of The Women's Board."

The volunteers produce two major benefits each year -- the Florida Forum speaker series and The Art & Antiques Show -- which together now bring an annual profit of over a million dollars to advance services and facilities at Wolfson. Florida Forum annually brings renowned personalities to Jacksonville to inform and entertain. Among the past distinguished speakers have been President and Mrs. Bush, John Glenn, Queen Noor of Jordan, General Norman Schwarzkopf, General Colin Powell, Bill Cosby, Lady Margaret Thatcher and Dr. Henry Kissinger, to mention a few of Florida Forum's special guests.

The Art & Antiques Show is a three-day benefit preceded by a gala Patron Preview Party. Over fifty exhibitors from across the country bring museum-quality art and antiques for purchase by show patrons. The Women's Board has been responsible for raising over 19 million dollars for select equipment, programs and facilities at Wolfson Children's Hospital to ensure that state-of-the-art pediatric healthcare continually advances and is made available to all children in this greater coastal area.