It was appropriate that just two days after the grand opening of the Tampa Museum of Art, Cornelia Corbett should be named the 2009 Tampa Metro Civitan Club's Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
The museum was just one of Corbett's community causes. But it exemplified the grit, drive and generosity of a woman who gets involved to make things happen.
At the Governor's Luncheon at the Florida State Fair, where the award was announced, Corbett said the museum was her most challenging task. She playfully alluded to the conflicts she had as art board chair with Mayor Pam Iorio, who sat near the podium.
Corbett and the mayor differed over museum design and costs, and the mayor's stand led to a downsizing of the project.
But Corbett never let the disagreements diminish her resolve or taint relations with Iorio and the city.
She made her case, accepted the city's stand and then labored to do whatever was necessary to make the museum a reality, including contributing $2.5 million to the building fund.
Now, thanks in no small part to her efforts, Tampa has a first-rate art museum that will be enjoyed for generations.
This was hardly her only cause. The former social worker has been involved in the Child Abuse Council for decades. She chairs the board at Independent Day School and serves on the Board of Trustees of the USF Foundation.
The one-time owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies helped develop youth soccer programs in Hillsborough.
Corbett is a talented golfer who plays to win. The people of Hillsborough County are fortunate she brings that same competitive fire to the civic causes she embraces.
While she tries to avoid the limelight, it was gratifying to see this formidable and selfless advocate receive the recognition she deserves. Cornelia Corbett is an outstanding citizen.
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