[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E450-E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO DADE COUNTY'S OUTSTANDING WOMEN

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 26, 1996

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay 
tribute for Women's History Month by joining with the board of 
commissioners, department of parks and recreation and the citizens of 
Dade County in celebrating the achievements of 15 outstanding women.
  Elizabeth Metcalf--a woman of lasting impact, who has touched many 
lives in her service as a psychologist, teacher, State representative 
and dedicated volunteer for many organizations such as the League of 
Women Voters, The Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, and the Dade 
Heritage Trust.
  Olimpia Rosado--came to the United States as an exile from Cuba in 
1961, and since that time she has dedicated her life to preserving 
Cuban heritage, writing a regular column for Diario Las Americas, 
supporting the Miami Dade Public Library Hispanic Branch, and her 
extensive volunteer service.
  Francena Thomas--children have always been her first priority. 
Francena has served as a public schoolteacher, university 
administrator, and currently as a community liaison for Metro Dade 
Police. Francena has hosted radio and television programs, writes a 
column for the Miami Times, and has spent extensive time volunteering 
for agencies such as Metro-Miami Action Plan, Alternatives to Violence, 
and the Youth Crimewatch Advisory Council.
  Frances Bohnsack--serving presently as executive director of the 
Miami River Marine Group, Fran has made a positive imprint in the south 
Florida community through her activities in many women's organizations 
such as NOW and the Feminist Alternative. She has also dedicated her 
life as a teacher, political activist, and advocate.
  State Representative Larcenia J. Bullard--is a former educator and 
school administrator who has taken on a task to serve in the Florida 
Legislature, along with her extensive community involvement which 
includes the NAACP, South Dade Civitan Club, National Council of Negro 
Women, Women's Political Caucus, and the Miami-Dade Criminal Justice 
Council. Representative Bullard is widely respected for her leadership 
in the South Dade Community she represents.
  Linda Dakis--Judge Linda Dakis has focused her professional and 
volunteer efforts toward the effects of domestic violence in our 
community. She has been a leader in dealing with this difficult issue, 
and is respected nationally for her extensive work through publications 
and media program that explore this pervasive evil called domestic 
violence.
  Margarita Rohaidy Delgado--has served as a social worker, Florida 
Senate Legislative Aide and presently owns her own company, MRD 
Consulting. She has served the south Florida community through her 
involvement with many organizations, among them the City of Miami Off-
street Parking Board, Dade County United Way Board of Trustees, and 
Metro-Dade County Health Policy Authority.
  Tananarive Due--is well known through her career as a columnist for 
the Miami Herald, as a novelist, international scholar, Big Sister, and 
giving back to the community through the Miami NAACP ACT-SO Committee 
and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. She is the daughter of two infamous south 
Florida civil rights leaders.
  Vickie Jackson--responding to the tragic domestic violence loss of 
her sister, Bridget Smith, Ms. Jackson founded the Domestic Violence 
Education and Prevention Project, Inc. She also volunteers her time to 
the Inner-City Children's Touring Dance Co. and many other arts 
programs for children.

[[Page E451]]

  Elizabeth Kaynor--has served tirelessly as the executive director for 
the City of Miami Commission on the Status of Women, and is the 
founding director for the Center for Continuing Education of Women at 
Miami-Dade Community College. She grasps every opportunity to work for 
women's advancement through education, communication, networking, and 
international exchanges.
  Ivette Arteaga Morgan--is currently the assistant principal of the 
Miami Palmetto Adult Education Center, and has served as an elementary 
teacher, social worker, school administrator, and university faculty 
member. Dr. Morgan has provided leadership for bilingual and 
multicultural education programs, was a cofounder of ASPIRA, and has 
volunteered her time to many programs that encourage women's political 
participation.
  Janice O'Rourke--as a leader in educational and women's 
organizations, this banking executive has lent her talents and energies 
to many causes such as the Miami Branch of the American Association of 
University Women and other organizations that focus on women's 
education and empowerment.
  Deborah Reyes--serves as the president of Capital American Mortgage 
Co. and consulting and training group. She is committed to serving her 
home community through her church, the Girl Scouts Council of Tropical 
Florida, the Community Coalition for Women's History, and the National 
Board of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
  Being honored posthumously are:
  Meg O'Brien--was a woman of courage and determination who became the 
founder of the WLRN Radio Reading Service, which provides print-
handicapped persons with 24 hours of news, literature, and general 
information. She shared her love for literature through the radio 
program ``Cover to Cover,'' through the annual writer's conference in 
the Florida Panhandle, and through ``The Late Show,'' a bedtime story 
initiative for detainees at Youth Hall.
  Belen Saborido--immigrated to the United States and became a 
successful businesswoman and community leader, launching her own 
business in 1981. She worked tirelessly to support education, women's 
concerns, service to families and children, health care, and the arts.

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