Pace Center for Girls, Lee to host 18th annual Grande Dames Tea on April 14
Pace Center for Girls, Lee’s 18th annual Grande Dames Tea is set to take place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers. This year’s honorees will include Bobbie D’Alessandro, Gail Markham and Arden McCurdy.
Pace’s Grande Dames Tea honors women who exemplify the organization’s guiding principles and have made a significant impact through their roles in business, community and philanthropy. Led by 2026 co-chairs Marshall T. Bower and Amira Fox, the inspirational event recognizes the unique perspectives and powerful insights that these women have gained throughout their life journeys, and the importance of passing this knowledge along to future generations.
With the event’s theme, “Honoring the Wisdom of Time,” honorees will share their wisdom during a Q&A session led by the young women of Pace. Guests will also enjoy special performances by the Pace girls and prize drawings featuring an array of packages from local businesses.
“Our annual Grande Dames Tea provides us the opportunity to spotlight the wisdom and impact of three local women who have made a tremendous impact on our community,” said Jenny Cellitti, executive director of Pace Center for Girls, Lee. “Bobbie, Gail and Arden are three powerhouse examples of women who lead by example, and we are looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments, learning from their experiences and being inspired by their journeys.”
D’Alessandro’s lifelong commitment to education has left a lasting mark on Lee County and beyond. As superintendent of The School District of Lee County from 1993 to 1997, she championed initiatives that expanded opportunity for local students, including achieving unitary status for the desegregation of the District, implementing a controlled choice plan, increasing student achievement, launching a five-year technology plan and helping secure more than $17 million in scholarships for local students. Her impact was recognized with the 1995 Florida Department of Education’s Superintendent’s Award and the 1997 Florida Outstanding Superintendents’ Award. D’Alessandro went on to serve as superintendent in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she developed programs to strengthen student achievement and professional development for educators, and later mentored education leaders across the country as director of coaching for the National Institute of School Leaders. Since retirement, she continues to volunteer her time to mentor leaders and support local causes, including serving as a board member for Pace Lee.
Markham is a distinguished business and community leader whose personal experiences have inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting at-risk youth. She founded Markham Mosteller Wright & Co. in 1979, growing it into a premier Southwest Florida accounting firm and a recognized local business leader. Drawing on her own challenging childhood, Markham co-founded Pace Center for Girls, Lee in 2006, raising funds, support and community resources to bring the center to Lee County. Since opening its doors in 2007, Pace Lee has delivered critical services that have transformed the lives of thousands of girls and young women across the region. The nonprofit’s 15,000-square-foot facility, named in her honor, stands as a testament to her vision and dedication. She serves on multiple boards, including the Collaboratory, the FGCU Foundation Board and Finance Committee, the International Women’s Forum Florida Suncoast Chapter and Lee County Industrial Development Authority, all while remaining a steadfast advocate and champion for Pace Lee.
McCurdy is a longtime community leader whose passion for building meaningful connections has helped shape Bonita Springs into a thriving, service-minded community. After a successful career in retail, she took over her family’s property management business before relocating to Bonita Springs in the 1990s, where she quickly became immersed in civic and philanthropic work alongside her sister, fellow philanthropist and 2015 Grande Dames honoree Jacke. For nearly two decades, she played a central role in the Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida, serving as executive director and bringing nationally recognized thought leaders to local audiences. She passionately serves as a board member for the Bonita Springs Assistance Office, on a committee for the Bonita Springs Community Foundation, and has supported impactful fundraising efforts for regional nonprofits including Guadalupe Center, Hope Hospice and the YMCA. With a leadership style rooted in humble, behind-the-scenes service, she continues to champion initiatives that are elevating quality of life across Southwest Florida.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 18th annual Grande Dames Tea, including Presenting sponsor for $10,000, Golden Teacup sponsor for $7,500, Silver Teacup sponsor for $5,000, Fascinator sponsor for $2,500 and in-kind sponsorships. All sponsorship levels include a varying level of tickets and recognition in event signage and printed program. Higher-level sponsorship levels include opportunities for additional recognition. A variety of underwriting opportunities for food and beverage, valet, décor and more range from $350 to $1,000. Tables of six are $600, and individual tickets are $100 per person.
Proceeds from the event benefit Pace Lee and its strength-based programs that guide Pace girls in finding their voice and achieving their potential. Programs are based on the belief that all girls and young women should be uniquely cared for, supported and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves through a path of healing and recovery.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit PaceCenter.org/Locations/Florida/Lee/2026-Grande-Dames-Tea or call 239-425-2366.
About Pace Center for Girls, Lee
Pace Center for Girls, Lee envisions a world where all girls and young women are safe, have economic security and an equal opportunity to use their voice and achieve their potential. Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and education needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, Lee, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
