Ronnie Dunn and her husband Wayne have devoted their lives to the work of the Optimist Club. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Nashauna Drummond, Acting Lifestyle Coordinator

The elevator doors opened and she glided out looking radiant in a cream coloured skirt suit. She is friendly with a bright smile.

Making herself comfortable on the sofa in her hotel room, her hands did most of the talking. These well manicured hands belong to Ronnie Dunn, the first female president of Optimist International.

Dunn's Ascension

Mrs. Dunn became a member after she was invited to a meeting by her then boss, Dr. Henry Cowherd, secretary of the Cabinet of Human Resources, where she worked.

She was wooed by the words of the club's creed.

"The words of the creed are wonderful words to live by as a Christian. It was easy for me to see how Optimist can help make children whole."

Mrs. Dunn joined up in 1988, a year after a lawsuit was filed against another civic society to allow women as members. Dr. Cowherd encouraged her to become involved in the activities of the club. "My boss saw in me, things I could do that I didn't see in myself. He encouraged me to become very involved," she told Flair.

Dunn rose through the ranks of her local club, the Frankfurt Optimist Club in Kentucky, U.S.A, becoming president in 1996 and again in 2001.

Hope and Positive Vision

She notes that being involved in the Optimist Club has made many positive contributions to her life, which may explain why she retired from her job in Kentucky's state government to devote her entire time to an organisation that has now become her life.

"It defines my personal life," she said, her passion seeping through her voice.

As president of a club whose mission is providing hope and positive vision, she is focused on the needs of children.

"Its nice when you get immediate results from your efforts. I have faith that I'm making a difference."

In her post, Mrs. Dunn overses 53 districts, spread over 37 countries with 32,000 individual Optimist Clubs. She was in Jamaica last weekend for a meeting with the Caribbean district, which comprises 80 clubs. She notes that the Optimist Clubs in the Caribbean differ from other districts.

Needs of children

"There are needs everywhere, but the Caribbean district is so in tune with the needs of its children, it's amazing. Other districts will have fund-raisers and write a cheque, but the countries in this district are rolling up their sleeves and getting involved."

Dunn believes that we can all help to change the world. "One by one we can make a difference in the lives of our children who may not have any hope due to poverty or disease. My vision is to have the beach completely clear of starfish."

"I hope it's attainable, but it's difficult to convince others that just a few hours each month can make a difference in a child's life."

Ronnie Dunn's devotion to this 87-year-old organisation is unmistakable. "If I wasn't in Optimist, I would be a better grandmother attending all our grandsons' games and birthday parties. But it's totally worth it and I can do it because they've got great parents."