Okaloosa County BOCC — April 21, 2015 — OCCSW 2014 Annual Report

2014 Annual Report This report includes the activities and accomplishments of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) for the year 2014. The OCCSW was established in 1995 by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners with the purpose of recognizing and honoring women who have made significant contributions to the improvement of women and citizens of Okaloosa County. The Wall of Honor was established by the OCCSW in partnership with the University of West Florida to accept nominations from the public for women deserving recognition for the sacrifices made to help and encourage individuals in our community. In May 2014, a ceremony was held for the Women’s Wall of Honor recipients at the Fort Walton Beach campus of Northwest Florida State College/University of West Florida. The Okaloosa County Women’s Wall of Honor is displayed in a special room on the second floor of the campus library. A plaque displayed on the wall lists all the honorees, and a book with their bios and pictures is also maintained in the Wall of Honor room. The 2014 Wall of Honor inductees were Bev Bain, Dr. Naomi G. Barnes, Becky Belcher, Sallye N. Belton, Regina Bright, Ginger Boyd, Ranae E. Curtis, Margaret Mae Garrett, Tammy Magee, Char McElderry RN, Christie Owens, Jackie Pilcher, Judi Rutland, Lisa Snuggs, Janie Varner, Ginger Walker, Ouida Winters and Carol Wride. One hundred and sixty-two women have been inducted since 1997. Each year the OCCSW accepts and vets nominations to the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame, which recognizes distinguished County women who have made an important impact on women and citizens in our community. The nomination process is competitive, and OCCSW members select inductees in accordance with specified standards. A ceremony for all nominees was held at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville Campus in conjunction with Women’s Equality Day in August. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Ina Bobelle “Bobbie” Harrell, Kelly Humphrey, Aimee Shaffer and Linda Sumblin. Since 1995, 88 women have been inducted. Photos of all the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame inductees are on display outside the County Commission Chambers in the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Building in Fort Walton Beach, the County Court House in Crestview, and the Niceville City Council Chambers. Barbara Wall (who completed her final term as OCCSW commissioner representing District 5 at the end of 2014) has been a member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) since her appointment by Governor Christ in 2010. She served as the FCSW’s secretary in 2012, and was elected to serve as its Vice Chair in 2013. Niceville native Gayle Jacobson is also a member of FCSW and ex officio member of OCCSW. The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women receives no public funding; it relies instead on support from our community. Financial contributions from local businesses, organizations and individuals enable OCCSW to continue its support of women in Okaloosa County through various events and projects, including the Women’s Wall of Honor and Hall of Fame, and the annual scholarship established in 2013. Additionally, OCCSW members provide