For decades, it’s remained one of Miami’s most anticipated springtime events -- the annual “Power of the Purse” luncheon and auction. Attended by nearly a thousand of the region’s best and brightest, “Power of the Purse” is a social and networking event that raises money for The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. This year it all happens on April 7 at 11 a.m.., at BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Last year’s event raised more than $450,000 for The Women’s Fund.

Not only do we look forward to this annual event as the place to see and be seen, but also as a chance to be truly inspired by the personal stories traditionally shared at the luncheon. Attendees will also witness moving tributes to the civic leaders and influential philanthropists who are fiercely determined to better the lives of area women and children.

Adding extra glamor to the event is returning Honorary Event Chair Elle Macpherson, a respected businesswoman and, of course, one of the world’s most famous supermodels. She joins Event Chairwoman Mary Young, Director of Ziff Graduate Career Services Center at University of Miami School of Business Administration, and Sissy DeMaria, President of Kreps DeMaria Public Relations & Marketing.

The luncheon and auction has a serious slogan -- “Powering our Community to Change the World” -- but the event itself is anything but staid. Lucky ticket-holders will dine in style at the BankUnited Center, and also have a chance to bid on a range of hotly-contested items.

The auction is slated to be one of the most fought-over (stylishly, of course) in years. Putting the “purse” in “The Power of the Purse” will be a Fendi “3Jours” blue leather tote bag, valued at $5,000, with an expected starting bid of $2,500. More than a dozen other high-fashion clutches and bags will also be available.

Other hot-ticket items are a Parmigiani fine quartz timepiece; a luxury stay at your choice of Sandals resorts in the Bahamas, Antigua, St. Lucia or Jamaica; spa treatments, fine artwork; two deluxe golf foursome packages at International Links/Melreese Country Club; Miami Dolphins tickets; private lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio; restaurant passes; and several exclusive wine-tasting packages.

All money raised will go toward supporting The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. Since 1993, this stellar organization -- the only one of its kind in the greater Miami area -- has donated more than $3 million to hundreds of organizations that work to better the lives of women and girls. Among the issues The Women’s Fund tackles are domestic abuse, poverty, reproductive freedom and access to health care.

Tickets are still available. Visit  http://www.womensfundmiami.org for more information.