Women’s Committee Kicks Off Celebratory Year

Current and past Hat Luncheon co-chairs joined Lesley Hoffarth and more than 80 members and guests for the 2026 Women’s Committee Kick-Off at the Jewel Box.

On Thursday, March 5, the Women’s Committee of Forest Park Forever kicked off a pivotal year. We’ll commemorate major milestones and support Forest Park’s ongoing care and tornado recovery, all while advocating for the best city park in the country!

In addition to celebrating Forest Park Forever’s 40th anniversary and Forest Park’s 150th in 2026, we look forward to hosting the 35th annual Hat Luncheon, first organized by members of the Women’s Committee in 1991. Over three decades, the luncheon has become Forest Park Forever’s most eagerly anticipated event and largest fundraiser of the year. Tickets will be available to purchase in mid-April.

The festive occasion is held in the World’s Fair Pavilion and co-chaired* by two dedicated members of the Women’s Committee each year. We’re excited to announce that our 2026 Hat Luncheon co-chairs are Akberet Boykin Farr and Laura Sawyier!

Laura Sawyier (left) and Akberet Boykin Farr, co-chairs of the 2026 Forest Park Forever Hat Luncheon

2026 Forest Park Forever Hat Luncheon Co-Chairs

Akberet Boykin Farr

Akberet Boykin Farr is Emerson’s vice president of human resources, corporate functions. She provides executive leadership for the company’s corporate human resources strategy, oversees the Emerson Charitable Trust focused on U.S. philanthropic giving and serves as the company’s primary community liaison in the St. Louis region.

Akberet is actively engaged in civic leadership and serves on the boards of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, KIPP St. Louis, City Academy, Junior Achievement USA and Saint Louis University.

Laura Sawyier

Laura Sawyier is a nationally recognized style expert who works with Fortune 500 companies, SMBs, non-profits and individuals, using evidence-based research within the Applied Psychology of Style. She consults individuals on their personal brand, style, confidence and presence and speaks professionally on the science behind how we show up and what we wear every day and how it impacts performance, moods, behaviors and relationships.

Laura serves as a trustee for the Saint Louis Art Museum and is on the Women’s Leadership Society Steering Committee at Rung for Women.

Save the Date for Upcoming Events

The Women’s Committee hosts formal and informal gatherings in the Park throughout the year to connect with each other, Forest Park Forever staff and prospective members. Some events are exclusively for members, while others are open to anyone interested in supporting Forest Park.

A Walk Among the Wildflowers
Date: Tuesday, April 28
Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
Location: Round Lake Vista

35th Annual Hat Luncheon
Date: Thursday, June 4
Time: 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: World’s Fair Pavilion

Coffee & Conversation
Date: Thursday, September 17
Time: 8–9 a.m.
Location: TBD

About the Women’s Committee

Formed in 1990, the Women’s Committee of Forest Park Forever has been engaging the community and raising funds to maintain and restore Forest Park for 36 years. Since its founding, the Women’s Committee has raised over $7 million!

All who wish to participate in these efforts are welcome to become a member. To join, you must be a member of Forest Park Forever at the Keeper of the Park level or above. Your membership provides essential support for Forest Park Forever’s daily work: planting and pruning, clearing paths, providing expert service to Park visitors and more. 

Support Forest Park

As the nonprofit conservancy that maintains Forest Park in partnership with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever employs experts in land management, ecology, conservation, park operations, community engagement, education and visitor services. We’re now using our expertise to integrate long-term tornado recovery into our annual plans and the master plan for Forest Park. There’s still so much work to be done and many ways you can help!

*Thank You to Our Past Hat Luncheon Co-Chairs!

Nicole Adewale
Bola Akande
Mary Atkin
Tony Bailey
Ruby Bonner
Adrian Bracy
Barbara Bridgewater**
Cynthia Brinkley
Zundra Bryant
Susan Buford
Karen Carroll
Charmaine Chapman**
Sue Clancy
Roberta CohenThelma Cook**
Vanessa F. Cooksey
Holly Cousins
Carol Daniel
Ida H. Early
Carolyn G. Farrell
Alison Ferring
Linda M. Finerty
June McAllister Fowler

Minga Furr
Jean Gase
Leslie Gill
Laurna Godwin
Fran Gooden**
Diedre Gray
Linda Hall
Ali Hogan
Kristen Hogan
Debra Hollingsworth
Barbara Jacob
Sharon Price John
Ann Liberman
Lucy Lopata**
Carolyn Losos
Jan Mackey
Ann Marr
Susan B. McCollum
Leah Merrifield
Marsha Mitchell
Kathryn Nelson**
Peggy Newman

Gwendolyn D. Packnett
Deborah Patterson
Linda Penniman
Penny Pennington
Jennifer Poindexter
Cheryl D. Polk
Peggy Ritter
Jeanne Gore Roberts
Mrs. Erin Runnels
Carol Schneithorst
Laura Shaughnessy
Susan Sherman
Suzanne Sitherwood
Susan Stith
Liz Teasdale
Jo Throdahl**
Jessie Vonk
Sara Wade
Joan Wendt**
Patricia Whitaker
Gloria White**
Marquita Wiley

**Deceased

Tiffany Webb