15 women added to Wall of Honor for Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women

Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News
·3 min read

FORT WALTON BEACH — On May 2, the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) inducted 15 women to the Wall of Honor during a ceremony held at the University of West Florida Emerald Coast campus.

First established at the "Women of Honor" in 1997, the now renamed Wall of Honor recognizes women's contributions to Okaloosa County. Historically, the event is held in May near Mother's Day to honor their impacts on the community.

Here is what we know.

What is the OCCSW?

Founded nationally in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women prepared recommendations and reports to promote women's rights in political, economic and educational fields.

President John F. Kennedy founded the President's Commission on the Status of Women in 1961. It was chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The OCCSW was established by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in 1995. According to the organization's website, it aims to eliminate barriers to women's achievement through research, education and communication.

The organization comprises 15 members, including some appointed by county commissioners and representatives from various women's organizations in the area.

2024 Honorees

  • Aurdy Adams: Assistant director for the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Communications Division.

  • Megan Blancho: President of the Okaloosa Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers.

  • Daquiri Champion: Retired registered dietician in nephrology, pediatric nutrition, counseling and senior nutrition.

  • Sherry Cronley: A former school teacher who now homeschools her grandson and is also an active volunteer with Fort Walton Beach Elks Lodge 1795.

  • Sheryl "Sherry" Jones: Community and public relations director for One Hopeful Place.

  • Pam Lee: Volunteer with Elks Lodge 1795, Mardi Gras Club, River Rats, Destin Elementary, Corvette Club, Arc of the Emerald Coast and American Business Women's Association.

  • Kathy Miller: Volunteer, teacher and leader of Florida Baptist Church's International English School for 59 years.

  • Elizabeth "Liz" Qualiana: Residential stability coordinator supervisor who helps people find housing at One Hopeful Place.

  • June Scroggin: An activist who volunteers with Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated, Fresh Start, 100+ Women Who Care and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

  • Melinda Sousa: Founded Visiting You Senior Home Care in Fort Walton Beach.

  • Neko Stubblefield: Vice president of membership and community development at Eglin Federal Credit Union.

  • Debbie Tate: Community affairs office manager at the Okaloosa County Public Schools Foundation.

  • Sabina Zunguze: Certified suicide prevention speaker and CEO of the Tatissa Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Social Justice Inc.

More OCCSW: 'No greater trailblazer': Five women join the Okaloosa County Women's Hall of Fame

Each woman honored will have her name added to a plaque on the Wall of Honor at the UWF Emerald Coast campus library, along with a letter with the honoree's photo and brief biography. Names of those who are nominated and honorees will be placed in a Book of Honor near the plaque.

"The women who were inducted into the the OCCSW Wall of Fame have made invaluable contributions to the tapestry of our community," said Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel. "We are all richer for their many gifts and talents that they selflessly share."

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women adds 15 names to Wall of Fame