|
Mark Your Calendar! Florida Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
6:00 PM
Capitol Courtyard
Since its inception in 1982, the Hall of Fame has recognized and honored Florida women who, through their lives and works, have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for all citizens of the state.
|
|
Welcome to the Spring 2015 edition of FCSW Connections, the e-newsletter of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. We sincerely hope that you will find this publication a useful and informative resource. Please share with us your thoughts and suggestions by e-mailing us at info@fcsw.net. Sincerely, Florida Commission on the Status of Women |
|
|
Greetings from Commission Chair Yvonne Fry |
|
| | Commissioner Yvonne Fry, FCSW Chair |
Greetings!
Our work this past year has been exciting and dynamic as we traveled the state for our quarterly meetings and hosted or participated in many Conversations with Women and Families. The results of these popular events were compiled into our 2014 Annual Report and indicated that economic issues topped the concerns statewide amongst our respondents. We appreciate all who participated and look forward to expanding this outreach and partnership locally this year to dig deeper into issues and involve even more individuals and groups around the important issues affecting women in Florida.
As the legislative season is in full swing, the FCSW is excited to host the 2nd Annual Women's Day at the Capitol on March 24th! This exciting day has state and national leaders coming to engage women on the issues and processes affecting women in our state. This is a day that will help us define the future for Florida's women and families and our agenda reflects the topics at the top of the list from our annual report. I strongly encourage you to attend and claim your place in finding the solutions required for strengthening opportunities for and the status of women. We live in a great state that is a leader in the nation in many of the key indicators for women, but the FCSW is committed to working towards comprehensive, sustainable policies on behalf of women to ensure the greatest opportunity for each one to achieve their fullest potential.
Our annual Women's Hall of Fame Induction will conclude the day on March 24th at 6pm and it is so exciting to celebrate the amazing women from around our state. This very special ceremony will honor Mary Lee Nunnally Farrior, Evelyn C. Keiser, and Charlotte Edwards Maguire, M.D. The ceremony includes remarks from our Cabinet members and is a time of reflection and inspiration for each one who attends. I assure you this year's event will be another moving and memorable time of recognition for 3 lifetimes of leadership and service.
We have an exciting and purposeful year ahead of us in service to the women and families of our state and encourage and welcome your feedback and input on our work. We hope to continue to expand our partnerships and dig deeper into issues in order to more fully impact policy and awareness affecting the status of women. As the status of women is elevated, the status of everything else in our state is as well. Thank you for all you do on behalf of women and for your interest and support of our work.
|
|
2015 Florida Women's Day at the Capitol
|
by Commissioner Deborah Cox-Roush, Public Policy Committee Chair  The Public Policy Committee has been very active preparing for the 2nd Annual Women's Day at the Capitol, March 24 from 10 AM to 6 PM at Tallahassee Community College Capitol Center, 300 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Based on the success of last year's Florida Women's Day at the Capitol event, the FCSW continued this annual event at which participants gain a better understanding of how decisions are made at the Capitol and learn the tools needed to become leaders on policy changes that affect women. In the fall and winter, the Commission traveled the state to hear women talk about the issues that affect them where they live, work and play. In addition to hearing about women's policy from female lawmakers serving in the Florida Legislature, the program will offer opportunities to learn from nationally renowned speakers on key issues affecting Florida women and families. The economy, jobs, education, women's resources, human trafficking, and affordable housing as well as legislative updates will be just a few of the topics of the daylong conference. Kellyanne Conway of The Polling Company, Inc./Women's Trend will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Other presenters include Rita Lowman, Chief Operating Officer for C1 Bank; Dotti Groover-Skipper, Florida Anti-Trafficking Coordinator for the Salvation Army; and Jayme Agee, Public Policy Representative with the Florida Realtors.The event is free and open to the public. Interested participants should register by March 20. The committee is also busy preparing for the 2015 Legislative session and at the present time is reviewing the bills that will affect Women and Families across Florida. Follow the progress of these bills on our website, www.fcsw.net. |
by Commissioner Chloe Gentry, Public Outreach Committee Chair
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce the launch of our redesigned website, www.fcsw.net. As we further our goal of connecting with women, families, organizations and communities throughout Florida, we recognize that our web presence can contribute significantly to our goals.
The objective of this new site is to provide our visitors with an easier way to learn about what the Commission does, why we do what we do, and how to get involved with our mission. We will be adding information and resources on a regular basis. We hope you find the new website more appealing, relevant and interactive.
As we continue to expand our website, if you have ideas or suggestions on content you would like to see on our website or on our FaceBook page, please let us know by emailing: kelly.sciba@myfloridalegal.com . We'd love to hear from you.
|
|
Your Voice Matters: A Conversation with
Florida Women and Families
|
|
by Commissioner Patti Hamilton, Annual Report Committee Chair
In the spirit of our mission to be focused on the status of Florida's women and families, the 2014 Annual Report is one that reports on the most up to date and current issues women are experiencing in their communities. Members of the Commission along with the assistance of women's commissions and organizations in communities across Florida hosted open and informational conversations with women throughout the fall and winter. Women throughout the state shared their experiences, opinions, and suggestions on challenges and solutions important to Florida families.
Information gathered from these forums and through the surveys has been summarized in our 2014 Annual Report entitled,Your Voice Matters: A Conversation With Florida Women and Families.This report was created to raise awareness about the specific needs of Florida's women and families and truly represents the "Status of Women in Florida."
The responses overwhelmingly centered on economics and finances. While overall economic conditions have improved across the country over the last few years, the following challenges were reported most frequently:
- Safe and affordable housing
- Childcare and eldercare costs
- Low wages
- Educational costs including college tuition
- Healthcare costs
- Fewer full-time jobs with benefits such as insurance and retirement
Additionally, other challenges reported included violence against women, human trafficking and work-life balance.
It is clear that women and families throughout Florida share common concerns and challenges. There is a real need for coordinated efforts among government and service organizations, and to educate women on how to best access these resources.
It is our desire that the information provided in this written report impacts the girls and women we serve and acts as a catalyst to ensure the challenges and needs of Florida families are met. Your Voice Matters will soon be available on the Commission website at www.fcsw.net.
|
International Women's Day
|
|
| | Commissioner Deborah Cox-Roush |
FCSW Commissioner Deborah Cox-Roush was a featured speaker at Working Women of Tampa Bay's Third Annual Leadership Lunch in honor of International Women's Day. Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
The event was marked with a networking lunch at Mainsail Conference Center in Tampa with the theme, "Make It Happen!" Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Pam Iorio was honored with the 2015 Leadership Award. Commissioner Cox-Roush shared information about the upcoming 2nd Annual Florida Women's Day at the Capitol and the work of the Commission.
|
|
| | Commissioner Ziegler, front row second from the right |
Commissioner Lady Dhyana Ziegler was an invited speaker on January 20, 2015 for the Beta Phi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. Besides the local members of the Beta Phi Chapter, Mu State President Merle Jones and Mu State Past-President, Carrie Frye attended the event. Commissioner Ziegler addressed the group on the history, role, and current activities of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She shared information on FCSW fact sheets, educational seminars, reports, and the meetings and forums held with Local Commissions around the state on the "Your Voice Matters: A Conversation with Florida Women and Families" initiative. She also invited the group to attend Women's Day at the Capitol and the Florida Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on March 24th. Commissioner Ziegler, who is also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, included in her remarks information concerning social media and education.
|
|
| | Former FCSW Commissioner Dr. Jeanne O'Kon and Michele Manning |
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women was proud to take part in the University of Florida Women's Student Association's 28th Annual Women's Leadership Conference on February 15, 2015. The event provided a unique opportunity for young women to develop leadership skills, prepare for success in leadership roles, and network. The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, is currently an Assistant Professor of Religion and affiliated faculty in the Women's Studies Department. She has a long history in the area of civil rights, human rights, and peaceful work. Conference attendees included students from UF, as well as neighboring universities and colleges and members of the local community. The Commission hosted an informational booth and distributed materials to attendees.
|
|
NCAA Final Four Comes to Tampa
|
The 2015 NCAA Women's Final Four will invade Tampa Bay in April! While the NCAA Women's Final Four showcases the four best collegiate teams in the nation, it's also a celebration of women! The event will bring approximately 30,000 people to the Tampa Bay area. The Women's Final Four touches the Tampa Bay community in many ways... it is WAY more than just three games and the socio impact is as impressive as the economic impact.
For additional NCAA Women's Final Four information, please visit http://www.ncaa.com/womens-final-four-championship-home.
|
|
|
Florida Commission on the Status of Women
107 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
|
|
|
