March is Women's History Month. So there is a yearly event in Tallahassee that recognizes the area's oustanding female contributors to the community.
That happening, called the Trailblazer Luncheon, is hosted by the Oasis Center for Women and Girls where Kelly Otte is the executive director.
"The Trailblazer Lunch is truly the community wide celebration of March as Women's History Month. And we started it 14 years ago, the same year Oasis was founded, " she said.
The list of Trailblazer honorees since then has been long and distinguished. Audrey Goff sits on the Oasis board and is part of the selection process.
"Not only identify those women who are the true trailblazers, those who have done something first in our community, but also some of those heroes that are working behind the scenes every single day that aren't always in the limelight."
One of this year's honorees, although now very much in the limelight, wasn't when, as a high school senior, she lobbied the town's female movers and shakers to officially recognize Women's History Month. That person is Kristen Dozier."You look at that list of women, Marjorie Turnbull - county commissioner and then Florida House representative - Mary Ann Lindley, editor and then county commissioner, Rosanne Wood, principal and then school board member. And then Kristin who went on to serve 12 years as a county commissioner. That's pretty incredible and she was 18 years old when she did it."
The aforementioned Marjorie Turnbull is this year's Legacy Award honoree. Others receiving awards are: TCC Vice President Kim Moore; Tallahassee Deputy Police Chief Tonja Smith; the city's first female OBGYN, Dr. Jana Bures-Forstofel; and entrepreneur Barby Moro. This year's "Unsung Shero" honors go to Pat Holiday for her work with the Community Human Services Partnerhip. And then, says Goff, there's the "Our Girls Can Do Anything" award, which is going to Amaya Waymon who is still in her teens.
"So it's really looking to empower future leaders of this community as well as acknowledge the community leaders who have done tremendous things so far."
And because of overwhelming demand for tickets, Otte said the happening has been relocated from its traditional site at St. John's Episcopal Church to the much more spacious Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
"The date is March 8th, the doors open at 11:30. The actual luncheon starts at noon and people can purchase tickets on our web site: oasiscenter.net."
March 8th is International Women's Day.
