Woman celebrates her 100th birthday with family she lovingly guided to success

Miami Herald

06-03-2025

This year's Women's History Month brought me an email about a determined woman who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
It's always uplifting to hear the stories of people in our community who have persevered through it all. And especially when they reach 100 years old.
Andrea Tai lovingly told me about her mother-in-law, Isemenia Tai.
'I am writing to share the story of a remarkable woman,' she said before gratefully acknowledging the accomplishments of a life.
Isemenia was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in February 1925 and was a small business owner there until she came to this country as an immigrant in 1978, Andrea Tai said.
'Against any number of odds, Isemenia raised six children and four stepchildren and cared for numerous grandchildren, guiding them all with a firm but loving hand with second husband Michael Tai.
'Although she never finished high school herself, she doggedly secured excellent educations for her children, many of whom became professionals.
'One son, Lloyd Tai, was the chief operating officer of now-defunct Air Jamaica. My husband is director of artists and repertory at New World Records. Another son, Karl Tai-Loy, runs a martial arts school in Jamaica, while other children and grandchildren have become doctors, nurses and professionals in an array of technical and artistic fields,' she said.
Andrea Tai said her mother-in-law was tragically widowed in July 2000, when a hit-and-run accident took her husband's life.
'But she remains undaunted. At the age of 100, my mother-in-law still lives independently in the same home she's lived in since first coming to Miami, rising each morning at 6 a.m. to tend her garden, where she raises flowers, fruits and vegetables.'
On Feb. 8, friends and family from Jamaica and around the country gathered to honor her.
'Her life and achievements are a testimony to her resilience, faith and devotion to her family,' Andrea Tai said.
Happy 100th Birthday, Isemenia!
SUPPORT THE EVERGLADES APRIL 4
'River of Grass' author Marjory Stoneman Douglas founded Friends of the Everglades in 1969 when she was 79.
Although her eyesight was failing, she was determined to create awareness about the potential destruction of a large portion of the Everglades. Construction on a huge jetport had begun, but Stoneman Douglas and others were able to stop it after just one runway was built in the fragile wetlands. It's still there in the Big Cypress.
Friends of the Everglades continues to fight on and will host its fourth annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration luncheon at 11 a.m. April 4, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
The theme is 'Our Two National Treasures: Clyde Butcher and America's Everglades.' Butcher, the renowned photographer famous for his large-scale black & white pictures, will serve as keynote speaker. He is also an acclaimed humanitarian, environmentalist and recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Butcher's wife, Nikki Butcher, and daughter Jackie will also attend.
Additionally, the group will present the prestigious Marjory Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades Award to an environmental advocate who exemplifies her legacy and fighting spirit.
This year's recipient is public interest environmental and land use lawyer Richard Grosso. His practice is dedicated to supporting environmental sustainability and restoration and the protection of ecosystems and communities.
The emcee will be Ron Magill, conservation and international wildlife ambassador. Co-chairs of the luncheon event are Christian Armstrong and Milda Vaivada.
Sponsorships and table reservations are available. Contact Scott Brown, director of development, at 305-669-0858 or 804-461-8830 or visit everglades.org/msdlc25/
MUSIC CLUB HOSTS AWARDS RECITAL
Coral Gables Music Club members have been joyfully promoting interest in music and supporting talented young artists in their careers for 86 years.
At its annual scholarship recital in February, the club honored 18 students in elementary through high school with its prestigious award.
The 2025 recipients are: Daniel Acosta, Zoe Aldana, Marcus Bautista, Alexander Brown, Anabelle Calles, Aleksandra Deshevaia, Nicolas Marin Fumero, Luka Gekic, Valentina Gomez, Sophie Habashi, Raphael Hablich, Shanming He, Alexandra Larios, Christopher Rocha, Joshua Safont, Marianne Rose Villar-Cordova Scott, Marc Usatenko and Christopher Yang.
The club's artistic director and scholarship chair, Angelica Sganga, was a scholarship recipient when she was in high school. She has a Masters in Music and Piano Performance from Florida International University and is currently a piano instructor at the University of Miami Frost Preparatory Program.
Many generous benefactors contributed to the scholarship fund. Winning the Coral Gables Music Club award increases a young musician's confidence and self-esteem. Former winners are working in every field of music.
There are more than two dozen on university music school faculties, and many others teach privately. Many more are members of large, first-rate symphony orchestras around the globe. Some are working in Broadway Musical Theater, while others are jazz artists, composers, arrangers, and opera singers.
There is a Tony Award winner among this elite group, and another received a Duke Ellington award as the finest young pianist of jazz in the nation. For more on how to be involved, or for student eligibility, visit www.coralgablesmusicclub.org
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