Powerful group: Oasis Center for Girls recognizes 9 honorees for Women's History Month
Each year in March, as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month, the Oasis Center for Women & Girls recognizes local women who have rewritten history by blazing trails. Trailblazers are honored out of respect for the barriers they have crossed and glass ceilings they have shattered.
Women’s History Month began as a grassroots effort by women who observed there was a lack of education in schools about the contributions of women in history. In response to this invisibility, women organized locally and regionally to fill the gap by providing presentations in schools and organizing community programs to raise awareness.
According to the National Women’s History Project, the formal recognition of women’s historic achievements on a national level began in 1980 when President Carter proclaimed the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. In 1987, this celebration was expanded by Congressional Resolution to an entire month and became National Women’s History Month.
Locally, the City and County Commissions have consistently proclaimed March as Women’s History Month every year since 2009.
Women’s History Month 2024 is even more important to Oasis because it’s the 200th Bicentennial Anniversary of Tallahassee/Leon County. It’s a special time to reflect on progress made, to call for continued change and to celebrate the ways that women made our community and nation great.
Ordinary women have played an extraordinary role in the history of our country and communities. During Women’s History Month we call attention to their incredible acts of courage and determination.
Meet the Oasis 2024 honorees
We are pleased to announce our 2024 honorees, which were honored March 1 at celebration at the AC Marriott.
Legacy Award recipient Dr. Cecile Reynaud;
Trailblazer Award recipients Ashlee Fontes, Adela Ghadimi, Danette McBride, Dr. Michelle Mitcham, and sisters Aida & Carina Richardson;
Girls Can Do Anything Award recipient Avery Miller;
and Unsung Shero Award Recipient Amanda Leighty.
The Board of Directors of Oasis is looking forward to celebrating this powerful group at their Women’s History Month Luncheon. Look for columns in the Tallahassee Democrat about each of them during the month.
Writing new history stories
I understand that the world I inherited was handed down to me from women whose courageous acts have opened many doors for me. It’s been my honor to work so even more women have lighted pathways to follow.
I understand that as a white woman, my history is not the same as it was for women of color and that for hundreds of years affluent white women opened the doors for affluent white women while enslaving Black women and devaluing other women of color and poor women.
I readily assume responsibility to work for abundant opportunities for all women and recognize that sometimes this means listening, not talking, following, not leading.
Together, let’s recognize our obligation to raise the visibility of women’s contributions. Look for the stories of trailblazing women who led the way for all of us, even when that leadership wasn’t valued or even seen. There are many such women in Leon County’s history. We are working to change that.
Let’s commit to dig harder, ask more questions, and listen to more stories. It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that the contributions of diverse women and communities are taught and the history books are rewritten to recognize them.
Kelly Otte is the Founder & Executive Director of the Oasis Center for Women & Girls. You can reach her at Kelly.otte@theoasiscenter.net
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Oasis Center honors 9 Tallahassee achievers for Women's History Month
