Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 3-25-22

Feature
Woman’s Legacy Covers History, Black History And Women’s History
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
African Americans are featured as so many firsts during Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March).
A Tampa native can be connected to both of those months, as well as being a part of ‘all’ History.
Mrs. Carolyn Reed Watkins wears the title of being the ‘very first’ (Black and woman) Fire Inspector in Air Force History, and the State of Florida. This feat oc- curred during her tenure at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa. This significant achievement has improved the lives of women by paving the way for them to set and achieve goals in career fields that are predominately male- driven.
Additionally, she became the first female to graduate from Hillsborough Commu- nity College with an Associ- ate of Science (A. S.) degree in Fire Science Technology. She was also the first to grad- uate from fire school at Chanute AFB, Illinois.
She was very active while at MacDill as her ‘firsts’ con- tinued. She was one of the founders of the MacDill Gospel Choir, Special Em- phasis Program Manager at MacDill, coordinator for the
Base’s Summer Youth Pro- gram.
She medically retired from MacDill AFB in 1992.
Mrs. Watkins is also known for being a very cre- ative and resourceful woman. She was the Presi- dent and CEO of Carolyn’s African Fashions.
She used the world of fashion to help build positive self-es- teem in her models, men women and children.
Today, Mrs. Watkins does most of her community advocacy through the church. She is an honorary
CAROLYN REED WATKINS
member of St. John Native
Baptist Church, in Freeport, Bahamas, Rev. Harrison Butler, Pastor. Here at home, she’s an active mem- ber of St. Matthew M. B. Church, Rev. W. D. Sims, Pastor. She’s active with the Mass Choir, Senior Missions and Virtuous Woman Min- istries.
There have been many who have share words of en- couragement and inspiration with her. She recalls the friendships of classmates, Gary Ellerson, Sr., and Bennie Holder (Class of 1966). All 3 were in the same
homeroom at Middleton High School and have main- tained the friendships through the years. She and Holder had the distinction of ‘firsts’ – he was the first African American Chief of Police for the City of Tampa.
Mrs. Watkins leaves a lasting legacy of using what you have to be creative and resourceful. She still encour- ages women, locally and abroad, to use their God- given gifts to positively influ- ence those around them, as she leaves a lasting impact along her path.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 3-A