Miami Woman’s Club’s first Black president is a milestone years in the making

Last Monday, on the third floor of the majestic, 100-year-old Miami Woman’s Club building that sits on the banks of Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, history was made: Metris Batts Coley became the first Black woman to lead the 124-year-old organization as its president.

Getting here was no easy feat. The early years of the Miami Woman’s Club are steeped in stories of discrimination and racism.

But, as 20-year club member Dolly McIntyre said, “It’s a new era and this is wonderful progress. With Metris as our new president, we are righting some old wrongs, and I’m looking forward to working with the new officers.

“Righting some old wrongs ...” is a fitting mission for today’s Miami Woman’s Club. Yet outgoing president Shirley Pardon said she still expects some resistance. “People are afraid of change. But what’s happening now is a real turning of the tide. And the Miami Woman’s Club is becoming a part of this forward movement.”

While she is optimistic about the future of the club, Pardon said it will take time before all the members embrace the change. “The older members will get used to it. We have come from total shutout to the embracing of the new. Light attracts light. Metris must bring the light. She will have to reach out to everyone to be inclusive.”

And Batts Coley said she is up to the challenge. In her inaugural speech, she said, “The previous administration of our club has left an indelible mark. Yet our focus remains fixed on the horizon, where tomorrow’s challenges and growth opportunities await. We must recognize that every promising idea might seem daunting at first, but it is through action that we unlock its potential... As we embark on this journey, let’s draw inspsiration from the eternal flame’s symbolism - embracing its representation of resilience, perseverance and continuity.

Batts Coley’s elevation is the culmination of years of work. When Noreen Timoney became club president in 2006, serious attempts were launched to invite Black women in as members. Among the first Black members were Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Ph.D., yours truly and the late Josie Poitier.

“The Miami Woman’s Club has witnessed remarkable transformations over its 124 -year history,” Timoney said, and indeed, it has. Back in the mid-1970’s I was sent to speak at the club as a replacement for my colleague Margaria Fichtner, then the book editor at the Miami Herald. When I got there, one of the club members met me at the elevator, and with a questioning expression on her face, she asked me politely, “Can I help you?”“

I said, “I am your speaker.” I thought I saw the color drain from her face as she paused for a few seconds before leading me into the meeting and introducing me.

To be honest, I don’t know what I spoke about that day. I was uncomfortable. Obviously, the women had not expected a Black speaker. I do remember that as soon as I was done, I was thanked and led quickly to the elevator. I wasn’t even offered lunch.

When Timoney became president 18 years ago, her goal was to spearhead two major efforts: protecting the historic building from being torn down and seeking options for restoration, and launching an initiative to ensure unity and diversity within the club and a return to civic engagement to benefit the community. Through her efforts to bring inclusiveness to the club, blatant, embarrassing moments like the one I experienced ceased.

“The effort aimed to represent the full community and foster inclusivity; more accurately to bring people together to make a difference,” Timoney said. adding that Batts Coley’s installation marks a significant milestone in the club’s ongoing journey. “Embracing inclusion strengthens the club’s mission.”

Fields has lived close to some of the changes that have brought the club to this point. Her late stepfather, James D. McKellar, was once the devoted head waiter and elevator operator for the club. And when Fields got married in 1966, she said she wanted to have her wedding reception in the clubhouse. After all, her stepfather had served the club at that time, for more than three decades.

“The club refused and seemed angry that we even asked,” Fields remembers with a chuckle. Yet, despite the disappointment, McKellar stayed on and served the club for another decade. When he retired in 1977, he had worked there for 45 years.

When McKellar retired, the club held a luncheon in his honor. Fields remembers it was a big day for him and the family. But when McKellar and his guests arrived at the clubhouse, they were ushered into an area apart from where the all-white club members were seated. What had begun as a day of celebration quickly became a day of degradation. The demeaning gesture was a bitter blow to the gentleman who had served the club faithfully for nearly half a century, and to his family, who were Miami pioneers.

Gradually, change started showing up at the clubhouse’s doorstep, leading it to where it is today.

“This [the installation of Batts Coley] is a big step forward for the Miami Woman’s Club, and for the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs,” said Linda Joseph, a past president. “Metris represents a faction of women whose value we have ignored for a long time. The Miami Woman’s Club started the change many years ago. We see a difference when we go to Florida conventions. There is more diversity now.”

In addition, said Fields, “The fact that Metris is Black is one thing, but equal to that is the fact that she is extremely qualified. She is a successful and experienced businesswoman who has operated both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Also, she has participated in every level of the Miami Woman’s Club. This adds to the legacy of the Club.”

As I see it, this new era is also a time for forgiveness and moving on. In spite of my early treatment by some members, I am glad that ! accepted the invitation and I have been happy as a member.

Each president since Timoney has carried on the efforts of continuing the inclusion as well as the building restoration component.

“Metris has an opportunity to continue the efforts from me and others, to bridge the gap from a different perspective, and bring people together,” Timoney said.