She championed children with disabilities. Her legacy honored at Miami riding center

If you were lucky, you got to know Marilyn March, one of Miami’s foremost champions for people with disabilities, and women and children’s causes.

I knew her through CHARLEE, where she raised money for programs to aid abandoned, abused or neglected children. She also worked tirelessly to help the physically challenged, elderly or disadvantaged through Easter Seals.

March died in May 2020 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Marilyn was a guiding light and beacon of hope for so many in the Miami community. She will never know how many lives she deeply touched, including mine,” said Nancy Hector, founder of Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center in Kendale Lakes.

In April, March’s family and friends gathered at the center for the dedication of an outdoor riding arena named in her honor.

“Her legacy lives on in this community, and we are humbled and grateful to be able to honor her by dedicating this outdoor arena allowing children and adults with disabilities to experience the life changing benefits from therapeutic horseback riding,” Hector said.

Founded by Hector in 2010, Whispering Manes offers opportunities to interact with horses that promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of children and adults with special needs.

More than $200,000 was raised for the effort to maintain the covered arena for instructors to provide therapeutic riding classes regardless of the weather.

March was also dedicated to women’s causes including equal pay and employment opportunity, and freedom from domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. She served as the executive director of The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade and on the Board of Directors for Whispering Manes.

During the dedication event, which included proclamations and tributes, Hector reminded guests of March’s early successes.

“As a past PTA president, she successfully argued before the School Board that classrooms with children with special needs would benefit from air conditioning to help keep their attention, which prompted the School Board to go one step further and air-condition all the schools.

“She was kind, gentle, and compassionate, but also a force that wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Hector said. “She is missed terribly.”

Whispering Manes helps up to 80 participants per week, ranging in age from 5 to over 70. There are over 150 people enrolled in its equine-assisted activities program annually, including current and former members of the armed services, participants from multiple local special education programs and Miami-Dade public schools, the Down Syndrome Association of Miami, Miami Cerebral Palsy Residences and private individuals.

The center also strives to promote strong community ties through volunteers from local service organizations, high schools, and individuals. Visit www.whisperingmanes.com for more, and there is a beautiful tribute to March at https://youtu.be/wPGKw_HkbkU.

Frost Chopin Festival to feature Ukrainian pianist

Chopin lovers rejoice! A week of free performances, in-person and through livestream, will be presented by the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and the Chopin Foundation of the U.S. from June 19-26.

This is the fourth annual Frost Chopin Festival and this year there will be performances by 21 gifted young pianists and world-renowned Chopin specialists, including a rare appearance in South Florida by pianist Garrick Ohlsson.

Concerts will be at UM’s Maurice Gusman Concert Hall on the UM campus, 1314 Miller Dr. in Coral Gables. A global audience can enjoy performances through the Frost YouTube channel.

“We are so excited to be able to host the return of the Frost Chopin Festival with in-person events, offering world-class classical music to the people of South Florida free of charge,” said Kevin Kenner, Frost Chopin Festival Academy founder, artistic director and associate professor of piano at the Frost School of Music.

“We especially want to welcome those who have rarely come to classical music events in hopes they will discover the transformative power and beauty of this music.”

Donor support has enabled all concerts to be free with more full scholarships awarded to participants this year than in previous editions.

Two notable concerts will feature Ukrainian-Polish soprano Olga Pasichnyk performing Ukrainian and Polish songs, and one of Ukraine’s most gifted young talents, 16-year-old pianist Khrystyna Mykhailichenko, who is one of the students receiving a full scholarship.

Khrystyna had to flee her Ukrainian home and is now living in Poland. She will perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko.

“At this disturbing moment in world events, I have been deeply concerned for the people of Ukraine,” Kenner said. “This unjust war has not only shocked the world, but is also taking aim at Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage, as it attempts to erase the very identity of the Ukrainian people, their literature, art and music. Our Festival, therefore, has aligned with the King Baudouin Foundation of U.S Relief Fund for Ukrainian Musicians.”

You can make a donation at https://bit.ly/FrostChopinSupportsUkraine. More about performances and workshops is at www.frostchopinfestival.com

Woman’s Club honors student who died after LSU frat hazing

Since its founding days in 1912, the Coco Plum Woman’s Club has continued to be a force for good in our community. Members have sought ways to make a difference in education and libraries, arts and culture, the environment, health and wellness, and civil engagement.

Members recently hosted a “Brunch & Broadway” gathering at their historic Coral Gables clubhouse on Sunset Drive, where they welcomed students in the Florida International University School of Music as guest performers.

Proceeds from the event, in partnership with The Max Gruver Foundation and the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, will benefit scholarship funds awarded to a graduating Miami-Dade high school senior.

“The Max Gruver Foundation was formed in 2018 in his memory by fighting to end hazing,” said new Coco Plum Woman’s Club president Carol Nobles.

“The Foundation raises awareness and educates young men and women to understand the importance of looking out for each other and speaking up in dangerous situations.”

Call 305-283-3182 to join.

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.

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