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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.