Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 3-18-16 Edition

Polk County News
Celebrate Women’s History Month
In the United States of America, the occasion of National Women’s History Month is celebrated during the month of March. This year’s na- tional theme, ‘Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Gov- ernment’, recognizes some of the women who have shaped the history of America and its future through their individual public service and leadership in government.
Congratulations, to the 2016 Na- tional Honorees: Sister Mary Madonna Ashton, CSJ, (1923- Present) Public Health Leader and Minnesota Commissioner of Health; Daisy Bates, (1912-1999) Civil Rights Organizer, Leader of the Little Rock School Integration; Sonia Pressman Fuentes, NOW Co-Founder, first woman attorney; Isabel Gonzalez, (1882-1971) Champion of Puerto Ricans securing American Citizenship; Ella Grasso, (1919-1981) Governor of Connecticut, First Woman Governor of any U.S. State Elected in Her Own Right.
Suzan Shown Harjo, (1945- Present) Native American Public Pol- icy Advocate and Journalist; Judy Hart, (1941-Present)National Park Founding Superintendent of Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park and Women’s Rights National Historical Park; Oveta Culp Hobby, (1905- 1995)World War II Director of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and
first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Barbara Mikulski, (1936–Present) longest serving Woman in the United States Congress; Inez Milholland, (1886-1916) Woman Suffrage Leader and Martyr; Karen Narasaki, (1958 – Present) Civil and Human Rights Leader; Nancy Grace Roman, (1925–Present) Chief of Astronomy as NASA; Bernice Sandler, (1928 – Present) Women’s Rights Activist, Godmother of Title IX.
Nadine Smith, (1965–Present) LGBT Civil Rights Activist and Exec- utive Director of Equality Florida; and Dorothy C. Stratton, (1899- 2006) World War II Director of the SPARS (Coast Guard Women’s Re- serve), first full-time Dean of Women at Purdue University, and Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Retirement Reception Held
It’s official.....Ms. Mabelle has retired. After serving more than 30 years at Girls Incorporated of Lake- land, Mabelle Filmon (affection- ately known as Ms. Mabelle) is at home relaxing and making plans to travel.
On February 13th, a retirement re- ception was held for her at the place where she spent so many hours of her life....Girls Inc. of Lakeland. A large number of Ms. Mabelle’s friends, family members, church members, parents and Girls Inc. members joined with the Girls Inc. staff to cel-
ebrate and recognize the contribu- tions that Ms. Mabelle has given over the years. Kay Fields extended a warm welcome and occasion to the guests. After an outstanding per- formance by the Prodigy Dancers, Lakeland City Commissioner Phillip Walker rendered a presen- tation. Pastor Billy Shaw gave the invocation and blessing of the food.
A scrumptious dinner was served by Girls Inc. staff and volunteers. Beautiful reflections were shared by her daughter, Ms. Beth Ramthun and one of her granddaughters, Kait- lyn Ramthun; Ms. Gladys Epps, a church member; Ms. Anita Smith, a Girls Inc. staff member; and Ms. Zayanna McCoy, a Girls Inc. member. The Order My Steps Dance Ministry honored Ms. Mabelle through dance routines choreo- graphed by Ms. Sheila Williams. Special remarks and presentation of gifts were made by Ms. Kay.
During her closing remarks, Ms. Mabelle expressed that she was thankful for the years that she served at Girls Inc. and extended well wishes to Ms. Kay and the Girls Inc. staff.
Thank you, Ms. Mabelle, for a job well done!
Happy Birthday!
Shaw-Nuf Talk extends Happy Birthday! wishes to Tampa lady Monica Landers (March 11th); and to Lake Alfred lady Phyllis Miller and former Auburndale gentleman Patrick Walker (Mar. 13th). Shaw- Nuf Talk extends belated ‘Happy Birthday’ greetings to: Lakeland lady Delores Shaw (Mar. 3rd); Lake- land’s Attorney Larry Hardaway (Mar. 7th); and Auburndale lady Ma- gleasa Palmer (Mar. 10th). It is the prayer of Shaw-Nuf that this year be filled with spiritual growth and many blessings for each of you. May the Lord continue to bless each of you with many, many more birthdays!
Shaw-Nuf Shout-Out
JACQUELINE BYRD,
Interim Superintendent, Polk County Schools
This week’s Shaw-Nuf Shout- out goes out to Jacqueline Byrd, Interim Superintendent of Polk County Schools. On February 23rd, Byrd was sworn in during a Polk County School Board meeting by Cir- cuit Judge Catherine L. Combee. She will serve in this capacity while the board conducts the search for a permanent Superintendent. Byrd has served in education for twenty- five plus years, her most recent tenure being the Deputy Superin- tendent of Polk County Schools since 2013. Prior to coming to Polk County, Byrd served as the Duval County Chief of Schools.
Talk to Shaw-Nuf
Shaw-Nuf Talk wants to hear from you. Share your exciting news and/or photos of your celebrations, special events, birthdays, anniver- saries, weddings, family reunions, church or community events, etc., with the readership of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin and Shaw-Nuf Talk by sending an e-mail to: shawnuftalk@yahoo.com or calling (863) 513-8437.
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