Palm Beach Atlantic names 2023 Women of Distinction honorees

Every year for more than 30 years, Palm Beach Atlantic University searches for a unicorn.

The recipient of its Woman of Distinction award can't be an active volunteer, or civic-minded or a leader or accomplished or respected.

They have to be all of those things.

For 2023, those two unicorns are Mary Fairbanks Freitas and Monika Preston.

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They will be recognized at the 31st annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on Feb. 21 at The Breakers.

Hometown girl Freitas attended high school at Rosarian Academy, where she is now a parent of a student and a board member. She is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in media communication. She worked in radio and television locally for WPTV and radio stations WRMF and WJNO during and after completing her studies.

She has served as chairwoman or co-chairwoman of numerous fund-raising events, including the Policeman's Ball, the Christmas dinner dance for St. Edward Catholic Church, the South Florida Science Museum (now the Cox Science Center) Smarty Party, Rosarian Academy's Rose Ball, and the Archival Evening for the Historical Society, among others.

With her husband and their Mark and Mary Freitas Foundation, she supports many causes, particularly those serving children. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, the Town of Palm Beach United Way, Nat King Cole Generation Hope and Best Buddies are among them.

She is a trustee of the Town of Palm Beach United Way, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Rosarian Academy and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach; a board member of the Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County; and a founding member of the Palm Beach Police Foundation’s Council of 100 and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

"It is such an honor to have been selected to receive Palm Beach Atlantic University's 2023 Woman of Distinction Award," Freitas said. "I am truly humbled to join this amazing group of respected, accomplished and beautiful women who have been recognized over the years.

''Many of them are friends and mentors to me and I am thrilled to share this experience with them. Their service, commitment and generosity have enhanced our community and beyond, and is an inspiration to all."

Monika Preston was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and grew up in Ontario, Canada, where she met her husband, John, at the University of Guelph.

In 1991, they moved to Palm Beach County, where she became active in charity.

Preston was chairwoman of the 2019 Palm Beach Heart Ball and has been a co-chair for several years. She also has co-chaired the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation Ball with her husband. Preston is vice chair of the board of directors of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and has co-chaired the Kravis Center’s annual gala for a number of years. She previously served on the boards of The Benjamin School, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Center for Children in Crises and Stop Children’s Cancer.

The grandmother of five also is an equestrian and manager of Popish Farms. She and John will celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer.

"It’s an overwhelming honor to be selected as a Woman Of Distinction,'' said Preston, "and to share the platform with such accomplished, talented, philanthropic and civic-minded women who contribute so much to our community."

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The pair are in good company indeed.

Previous recipients include Helen Messic Ross, Carolyn Buckley, Anita Hamilton Michaels, Nicki Harris, Hillie Mahoney, Patricia Cook, Kathryn Vecellio, Kit Pannill, Nancy Brinker, Pat Johnson, Susan Keenan, Edie Schur, Sydelle Meyer, Lore Moran Dodge, Barbara Nicklaus, Julie Fisher Cummings, Diana Ecclestone, Frances Fisher, Michele Kessler, Sydell Miller, Gay Hart Gaines. Vicki Halmos, Iris Apfel, Dr. Gail Austin Cooney, Eileen Burns, Joyce Licht Sang, Sally Ross Soter, Gail Coniglio, Danielle Hickox Moore, Susie Elson, Nancy Murray, Sheila Reicher Fine, Joan R. VanderGrift, Cathy Johnson Flagg, Jane R. Grace, Emilia Fanjul, Darlene Jordan, Candy Carson, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Audrey Gruss, Laurie S. Silvers, Melania Trump, Ronnie Heyman and Lois Pope; and the late Patricia Supper, Rose Sachs, Anita Dubnoff, Mary Schott, Jean Feather, Helen Persson, Helen Cluett, Dorothy Schulman, Jean Tailer, Maura Benjamin, Helen DeVos, Lily Pulitzer Rousseau, Alicia Blodgett and Suzanne Wright.

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The day begins at 11 a.m. with an honorees reception. Luncheon follows at noon.

Tickets are $350 per person with tables of 10 available for $3,500. Register for tickets or tables at pba.edu/wod.

Proceeds will benefit scholarships for women students, six of which will be presented at the luncheon.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Atlantic University names 2023 Women of Distinction honorees