Date: March 3, 2003 

Miami Beach Honors Women Worth Knowing
-- As Part of Women’s History Month --

Miami Beach, FL – In celebration of Women’s History Month, the City of Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women will honor local women for their contributions to the community in a ceremony on Monday, March 31, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackie Gleason Theater. The Women Worth Knowing program will celebrate the achievements of Judith Berson-Levinson, Sheila Duffy-Lehrman, Ana Kasdin, and Phoebe Morse. Each honoree will be given a certificate from the City, honoring their commitment and hard work to the community.

The Women Worth Knowing program honors women who have made a difference to the community. Each of the women is actively involved in fostering positive change in the community through involvement in civic activities. 

Judith Berson-Levinson is a former college administrator, now a Miami Beach hotelier. Her notable works in the community involve her voluntary work educating the community on the important role that Miami Beach held during World War II. received much recognition for her accomplishments with the WWII veterans reunion, and she currently volunteers on boards and committees throughout the city.

Sheila Duffy-Lehrman is an award winning writer, producer and director for the last 17 years and recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Peabody award. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Girls Advocacy Project, a new intervention program to help girls in the juvenile detention system. In 1998, she helped establish the Florida silent witness initiative against domestic violence.

Ana Kasdin is the first Hispanic wife of a Miami Beach mayor, her openness and willingness to help the community is renowned. Ana was a founder and chair from 1979 to 1983 of the Electric Island Run, which was one of the most important races in Miami-Dade County and raised thousands of dollars annually for juvenile diabetes. She is currently one of the founding members of the learning disabilities association, South Florida Chapter.

Phoebe Morse has contributed greatly to the Humane Society of Greater Miami; fund raising and public relations for 40 years. She is also credited for her work with the Children’s Home Society. The Society named the Phoebe Morse Branch of the Children’s Home Society after her for the over 15 years of voluntary work in fund raising and public relations. She was one of the first women to have her own radio show back in the 1920s.

“Women are a powerful voice on Miami Beach,” said Diana Susi, chairperson, Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women. “And these women exemplify the values that we most cherish – integrity, professionalism and a true caring for the community in which we live.”

Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women serves as an advisory capacity to the City Commission. The purpose of the commission is to support efforts for economic, political, and social equality and opportunity for all women, with special emphasis on the needs of women on Miami Beach. 

For more information, call Judy Hoanshelt, City Liaison to the Commission on the Status of Women, at 305-673-7010.

Women Worth Knowing Past Honorees (Acrobat)

Status of Women Will Also Recognize the County’s Miami Beach Honorees

Miami Beach, FL – In addition to the Miami Beach Women Worth Knowing honorees, the City of Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women will also recognize three Miami Beach winners that were selected as this year’s In the Company of Women Award by Miami-Dade County. Miami Beach Assistant City Manager Christina Cuervo; Liliam M. Lopez, president of the South Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Roymi Membiela, the City’s Community Relations Board appointee and the newly elected chairperson are celebrated for their leadership skills, positive example as a role model and vast contributions to the community. They were three of eleven winners selected. The event will be held on Monday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackie Gleason. For more information, contact Judy Hoanshelt at 305-673-7010.