News / Articles - Island Women

Published On 11/13/2025

After retiring as a clinical instructor at UNC Chapel Hill, Celeste Kenney and her husband wanted to move somewhere warm. They traveled the southern part of the East Coast, landed in Carolina Beach, and built their house in 2019. Knowing she wanted to get involved in her new community, Celeste reached out to Island Women and the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project. She’s been involved with both ever since.

Member Spotlight: Terri Bose

Published On 10/18/2025

Terri Bose joined Island Women shortly after she moved to Carolina Beach from Long Island in 2020, "because I didn’t know anybody and wanted to meet people,” she said. Since joining, “everyone I’ve met has been so nice.”

Member Spotlight: Mary Swack

Published On 9/11/2025

Mary Swack moved to Carolina Beach from Maryland two years ago with her husband, Phil. She feels blessed that she moved next to two Island Women—Sarah Tardio and Mary Kearney—with whom she quickly became friends. They encouraged Mary to join the organization.

Member Spotlight: June Martin

Published On 7/7/2025

June Martin learned about Island Women from a patient’s family while volunteering at New Hanover Hospital in 2019. June had just retired from nursing and moved to Carolina Beach from Kernersville. The woman had said, “’ You’ve got to find out about this group of women down there.' She didn’t know their name, but her friend was part of it.”

Member Spotlight: Susan Hughes

Published On 6/4/2025

Susan Hughes moved to Carolina Beach in 2020 but only recently got involved in Island Women when she jumped in with both feet to head up the S.E.A. Committee.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Cathy Chester

Published On 4/10/2025

In 2013, Cathy Chester came to Carolina Beach looking for a way to help others. She met a local shop keeper who happened to be the president of Island Women. Cathy joined that day and has been active in the organization ever since.

Member Spotlight: Beth Wrobel

Published On 3/11/2025

Beth Wrobel was in town to close on her house in Carolina Beach in December 2023 when she sat down to breakfast at Kate’s Pancake House. She learned about Island Women from a friendly server after Beth told her, “I need to meet people.” Beth had just retired from her job running a large non-profit in Indiana and wanted to plant her roots here. After the closing, Beth returned to Indiana to finish her move, and joined the organization on New Year’s Eve.

Member Spotlight: Debbie Donnelly

Published On 1/31/2025

When Debbie Donnelly moved to Carolina Beach in 2019, she wanted to get busy. “I loved walking the beach doing turtle patrol, but I thought, 'I can’t just do this and turtles.'” Within six months, she’d joined Island Women. “I needed something constructive to occupy my time.”

Committee Spotlight: SE Committee

Published On 1/31/2025

The S.H.E committee has a new acronym, a new chair, and a new approach in 2025.

Member Spotlight: Lois Berse

Published On 10/31/2024

Lois Berse joined Island Women after hearing about the organization from her neighbor, Cathy Chester. Lois had adopted a nest through the Pleasure Island Turtle Project but wanted to get move involved. “She told me about the different things Island Women does,” Lois recalled. “She said it was ok if you didn’t live on the Island.”

Member Spotlight: Gail Smyth

Published On 9/30/2024

Gail Smyth joined Island Women in 2009 shortly after she moved to Wilmington full-time because she wanted to “volunteer and do something.” Back then, less than 40 women belonged to the organization, and meetings were held over breakfast at a local restaurant.

Member Spotlight: Debbie Scott

Published On 8/28/2024

When Debbie Scott moved to Kure Beach from Lancaster, PA, nearly three years ago, her main mission was to figure out how to meet people. “My neighbor told me to join Island Women,” Debbie said. “I didn’t know that she wasn’t even a member!” Debbie went to the Island Women website that day and joined. Then she started checking out the upcoming events.

Committee Spotlight: Membership

Published On 7/25/2024

The membership committee plays a vital role in making all Island Women members feel welcome.

Published On 6/26/2024

The reusable bag started in 2014 and is now Island Women’s major fundraiser. Bag sponsorship and sales generated more than $20,000 for local charities last year alone. And, Island Women has put more than 51,000 reusable bags into circulation.

Member Spotlight: Rhonda Lee

Published On 6/26/2024

Rhonda has been part of Island Women since 2016, and says the organization helped her create a life of her own when she moved here. She encourages new members to get involved right away.

Published On 6/25/2024

Missed the meeting? Click on the headline to read theJune 2024 General Membership Meeting Minutes!

Published On 5/10/2024

Island Women had a fun night shopping at Coharie Coastal Boutique, a new clothing and home decor store in town.

Published On 5/10/2024

Kure Beach Yoga will donate proceeds from their public beach yoga class on 5/28 at 6pm to Island Women. Join us!

Published On 5/6/2024

Karen Graybush, Mel Lombardi and the Island Women committee helped organize the Missed Pleasure Island pageant, which raised more than $20,000 for local charities supported by Island Men and Island Women. It took place at the Courtyard by Marriott on March 2.

IW Smart Art Kids Makes the News

Published On 4/21/2024

The Smart Art Kids Project that was completed by the Island Women Literacy committee made the News in the April 4th edition of the Pleasure Island News. Congratulations to the team for a job well done!