Brenda Nestor Castellano, Board Member, Swanee DiMare, Honorary Chairman, and Bunny Bastian, Board Member Yolanda Berkowitz, Paula Brockway, Trish Bell, Honoree, and Maria Beguiristain Standing: Karen Tories, Debbie Hasty, Honoree, and Janelle Patty. Seated: Shelley Lewis, Barbara Reese, and Ramona Busot

The American Red Cross of Greater Miami & The Keys honored eleven outstanding women at the 2007 Sara Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Awards for Women luncheon on March 28 at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. This year’s Honorary Chairman was Swanee DiMare, a dedicated supporter of the American Red Cross. The women were featured in a video directed by Josie Goytisolo and produced by Multivision Video and Film. A Collection of Fine Jewelry from Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour was exhibited during the reception.

Ileana Bravo, Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed more than 400 community leaders who came to honor these exceptional women. The Spectrum Awards For Women annually recognize outstanding women whose efforts have made significant contributions to the quality of life in South Florida. These leadership awards acknowledge the humanitarian principles of the American Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Independence, Unity, Neutrality, and Voluntary Service. “Spectrum” refers to women's impact across the broad scope of community life and also reflects the spectrum of cultures represented in our community.

The 2007 Sara Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Awards for Women honorees are:

Helen Aguirre-Ferre: Rosalind R. Ludwig Chairmen’s Award

Trish Bell: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida Philanthropy Award

Carswell Washington: Baptist Health Community Service Award

Myrna Palley: Bank of America Cultural Award

Nilda P. Peragallo, Dr.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N.: J.N. McArthur Education Award

Edie Laquer: Deloitte Entrepreneurial Award

Josefina Carbonell: Cervera Real Estate Miami Ambassador Award

Nilda I. Soto, M.D.: Cardinal Health- Health Care Award

Marie-Ilene Whitehurst: The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation Volunteerism Award

Alexandra Kushman: Swanee and Paul DiMare Youth Award

Debbie Hasty: Brenda Nestor Castellano Red Cross Service Award

The awards are named for Sara Hopkins Woodruff, businesswoman and philanthropist whose family sponsors the Spectrum Awards in her memory. For information on this event please contact Kenia Tedesco at 305-644-1200 ext. 103.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides relief to victims of man-made and natural disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Greater Miami & The Keys chapter has served Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties for close to 90 years. The chapter offers year-round health and safety education programs and volunteer training to residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties; and assistance to military personnel and their families in times of hardship.