THE BERTA BLECKE AWARD
Alberta Batchelor Blecke was born in 1950. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Florida. She is married
with three children. She has traveled the world, teaching and consulting from Japan to Singapore. She has held the positions
of Florida SPAC Chair (1985-86), and Junior League of Miami President.
It seems like every major cause for children and youth has Berta Blecke at the forefront. Berta’s commitment
to child welfare and volunteer leadership comes naturally to her. She is the granddaughter of Rebecca Herndon Bush, who founded
the Junior League of Miami and served as its first president in 1926. Her mother, Lucy Batchelor, was a great community leader
as well, providing homes for children who fled Cuba during the Pedro Pan operation.
In 1980, she established the Guardian Ad Litem program and later secured its statewide funding. She has helped
established and built coalitions for many projects, and has secured millions of dollars of funding for these projects. All
children and their families have benefited from Berta’s efforts. Berta has exercised the gift of giving through
voluntarism, and has been a true leader for change in caring for everyone’s children.
Berta Blecke is one of Miami-Dade County’s and indeed Florida’s
premier child advocates. For over two decades, Berta has worked for the rights of Florida’s at-risk children, helping
to create programs that ensure their safety and provide them love, shelter, and hope for a better life. According to the Annie
E. Casey Foundation, Florida has historically ranked in the lowest 15 states in quality of life for children. Berta rallies
legislators, business leaders, volunteers, and philanthropists to place children higher on the community’s agenda. Her
legacy is evident in long-standing programs, improved systems of care and dedicated funding streams for sexually and physically
abused children, children in foster care, and other underserved populations in this community.
Major Projects:
Guardian Ad Litem Program
Dade County
Governor’s Constituency for Children
Children
Have All Rights, Legal, Educational, and Emotional (CHARLEE) Program
Gladstone
Center
Kristi House
Orlowitz-Lee Child Advocacy Center
The Peaceful Schools Project
The Haitian
Neighborhood Center, Sant La, Inc.
