[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 55 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2014

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, each year, March is designated as 
National Women's History Month to ensure the contributions of American 
women will be recognized and celebrated in schools, workplaces, and 
communities throughout the country.
  Uplifting women of character, courage and those who have made a 
lifelong commitment to serve should be acknowledged and honored. 
Throughout history, women are found on the forefront of leadership when 
dealing with troubling issues inflicting our great country. Currently, 
women face a pay gap in almost every occupation. Women are often paid 
less than men in female-dominated and gender-balanced professions. This 
is awful and we must work to make a change! We shouldn't have to 
explain this disparity to our daughters or nieces, should they have 
their true worth and value diminished. We must stand together and fight 
against the inequality; no one should be valued as superior over 
another. We must continue to work and end the injustice now.
  As we embark on the journey of equal rights for all women, let us 
acknowledge and be conscious of those remarkable and unforgettable 
leaders who struggled for equality before us--Susan B. Anthony, Harriet 
Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many more. As we 
champion this year's theme, ``Celebrating Women of Character, Courage 
and Commitment,'' we reflect on those women, and how they can be an 
inspiration to us as we continue to push forward for equality. It would 
be my pleasure to recognize these women from my district who has done 
outstanding work, your efforts does not go unnoticed and continue to be 
great. When Women Succeed, America Succeeds.

           Our Salute to Women of the 5th District of Florida

       Thank you for your service and contributions to our 
     community.
       The Hon. Mabel Butler: Orange County Commissioner, 1st 
     African American to serve; elected in 1984 for 8 years.
       The Hon. Daisy Lynum: City of Orlando Commissioner of 
     District 5 elected in 1998 retiring in 2014.
       The Hon. Mildred Dixon (Deceased): City of Winter Garden 
     Commissioner, 1st African American and woman to serve on the 
     city commission elected in 1985 and serving 7 terms, three of 
     which she was unopposed.
       The Hon. Yvonne Scarlett-Golden (Deceased): First African 
     American Mayor of Daytona Beach, FL (elected in 2003 and 
     2005).
       The Hon. Linda Chapin: Orange County Chairperson (now known 
     as Mayor) of County Commissioners from 1990-1998.
       Dr. Barbara Jenkins: Superintendent of Orange County Public 
     Schools named in 2012. Was former Deputy Superintendent, 
     Chief of Staff and Senior Director for Elementary Education 
     for Orange County Public Schools
       The Hon. Kat Gordon: School Board Member of Orange County 
     Public Schools elected in 2000, served as Vice-Chair in 2013. 
     Has been a librarian and counselor for 25 years in Orange 
     County.
       Thelma Dudley (Deceased): Retired as an Adjunct Professor 
     at UCF and working with Teacher Education for America's 
     Minorities program recruiting and helping black students 
     become teachers. However, she began her career as a teacher 
     at a then all-black high School, Jones High School, teaching 
     there for 25 years.
       Susie Boatman Forehand, RN: Former Nursing Professor at 
     Valencia College who retired after 35 years.
       Dr. Felicia Williams: President of West Campus of Valencia 
     College. She was former Assistant Vice President of Workforce 
     Development at Valencia and has worked for 13 years as an 
     adjunct professor that led a team to create the college's 
     first bachelor degrees.
       Val Demings: Former Police Chief of the Orlando Police 
     Department from 2007 to 2011 until her retirement. She was 
     the first female to hold the position.
       Natalie Jackson, Esq.: Founder of Women's Trial Group, and 
     lawyer for the Family of Trayvon Martin.
       Kelda Senior: Public Communications Office for City of 
     Mount Dora since 2012 and former Staff Assistant for United 
     States Senate.
       Jean Butler: Founder of JCB Construction established in 
     1987. A leading minority firm in Central FL for site 
     development and construction management services.
       Lynn Mims: Founder of Mims Construction established in 1989 
     and ranked as one of the top ten concrete and masonry service 
     providers in central Florida. Minority owned and operated
       Carolyn Fennell: Director of Public Affairs for the Greater 
     Orlando Aviation Authority that oversees the airport and 
     general aviation Orlando Executive Airport. She is the 1st 
     female director and 1st female to hold the position of 
     Director of Community Relations, Marketing and Public Affairs
       Jennie Joseph: Owner and Clinical Director of The Birth 
     Place Birthing Center, a full-service midwifery clinic. 
     Designed and developed unique model of care to address 
     inequities in health care service and delivery for 
     minorities.
       Mercedes Clark (Deceased): Nurse at Orange Memorial 
     Hospital and Winter Park Memorial Hospital. The 1st African 
     American female to be the Director of Orange County Health 
     Department in Orlando, Florida. At the time of her 
     retirement, she worked as a Nursing Care Coordinator at 
     Orlando Veteran Administration Outpatient Clinic.
       Ericka Dunlap: American Beauty Pageant titleholder who 
     earned title of Miss Florida 2003 (the 1st African American) 
     and subsequently crowned Miss America 2004.
       Stephanie Henry: Founder and CEO Step by Step Expressions, 
     Married to Mayor of Daytona Beach, FL., Derrick Henry
       Tameka Gaines Holly, MPH: Community Rehabilitation Center, 
     Inc.

                          ____________________