ABOUT US

HISTORY OF PILOT INTERNATIONAL

“Radiating Everyday Miracles Through Pilot” was the theme (1998–1999) under incoming President Ethelyn Morley of the Pilot Club of Nassau. She shared her vision:

“I have a dream and when I dream in color… the Pilot Club of Nassau will set sail and move toward the next level – the District level.”
Her vision began taking shape as the seven clubs in The Bahamas rapidly worked toward the membership required to form a District.
In 2002–2003, Past President Ethelyn was installed as Governor of COED (Clubs of Evolving Districts), advancing plans into full action.
On September 7, 2002, the first formal district formation meeting was held at Super Club Breezes Resort, with key leaders from The Bahamas Pilot Clubs and support from Past Governor Pat Jarvis of Georgia.
By March 2003, despite policy concerns, momentum continued as leadership requested approval to proceed with forming the District in 2004–2005.
A dedicated COED leadership team worked tirelessly—Governor Ethelyn, Governor-Elect Rita Spriggs, incoming Governor Katrina Cartwright, and Secretary Claudine—bringing the vision to life.
In May 2004, the dream was realized when Katrina Cartwright was installed as the chartered Bahamas District Governor at Super Clubs Breezes. The celebration continued at the International Convention in Jacksonville, marking a historic milestone for Pilot International.
Loretta Parris later served as Governor-Elect and became the second Governor of The Bahamas District.

District Administrative Council - DAC

District Administrative Council - DAC

BAHAMAS DISTRICT COORDINATORS & APPOINTEES (2025-2026)

Coordinators & Appointees

Anitha Cooper
Anchor Coordinator
Dania Rigby
Compass Coordinator
Micah Knowles
Fundraising Coordinator
Nikia Forbes
Membership Coordinator
Dorian Cox
Leadership Coordinator
Selva Sawyer
Pick Me Up Coordinator
Eloise Whyms
Projects Coordinator
Sophia Walker
PR & Communications
Stephanie Ferguson
Inspirational Leader
Denise Smith
PI Foundation Fund Representative
Antoinette Carroll
Parliamentarian
Dellareese Wilson
Convention Chair
Joaquin Missick
Convention Vice Chair
Lesia Sands
Convention Registration Chair
Serethea Clarke
Awards Jury Chair
M. Laverne Nixon
Audit Committee Chair
Toni Hudson Bannister
Nominating Committee Chair

BAHAMAS CLUBS BY SUMMARY OF ISLAND

Click an island marker to explore local clubs

Select an island marker
to view its Pilot Clubs

Bahamas District Pilot International
Islands
3 Featured
Total Clubs
7 Clubs

History of Pilot International

Pilot International was chartered on October 18, 1921 in Macon, Georgia, U.S.A. by Elizabeth Leonard and forty local businesswomen. The name "Pilot" was inspired by the mighty riverboat pilots of that day who symbolized leadership and guidance.
Principles
"Friendship & Service"
Motto
"True Course Ever"
Colors
Green & Gold
Emblem
Pilot Wheel – 8 Spokes

Milestones

1922: Lucy B. Allen elected as the first Pilot President.
1926: Pearl Sparks presented the Pilot Code of Ethics at the 5th Annual Convention.
1929: First club west of the Mississippi founded in El Paso, Texas.
1932: Pilot Club established in Juarez, Mexico, becoming a true international organization.
1949: Ruby Newhall first envisioned Anchor Clubs, Pilot's youth service branch.
1954: Membership reached 9,900 members.
1985: Membership peaked at 20,877 members.
1975–1977: Pilot International Foundation launched grants program, later distributing over $1.5 million.

Executive Leadership Pilot International

Beverly Hager
President
Florida
Lisa Palmquist
President-Elect
Northeast Potomac
Karen Ferguson-Bain
Vice-President
Bahamas
Leslie McLaughlin
Secretary
North Carolina
Susan Harbin
Treasurer
Georgia
Directors
Pam Cook
Director
Mississippi
Dorothy Tyson
Director
North Carolina
Terez Curry
Director
Bahamas

GLOBAL DISTRICTS PILOT INTERNATIONAL

District Representatives

Lisa Patterson
Alabama
Sheila McPhee
Bahamas
Terri Bear
COED
Claire Mikko
Florida
Mary Turner
Georgia
Marilyn Sidener
Heartland
Yu Hane
Japan
Rhonda Stemmer
KY-OH-WV
Wilma Bennett
Louisiana
Angie Rathert
Michigan/Indiana
Linda Magilson
Midwest
Heather Thompson
Mississippi
Sue Wage
North Carolina
Gina Monteleone
Northeast Potomac
Sandra Pruitt
South Carolina
Sharon Star-Atkinson
Southwestern
Bridget Arnett
Tennessee
Julie Fallin
Texas
Cathy Richards
Virginia

GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP

The global membership of Pilot International continues to grow. Across the 19 Districts, there are more than 5,000 members.