Tallahassee, FL (May 31, 2019) — The ten finalists for the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame chosen by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women have been announced and sent to Governor Ron DeSantis who will soon select the 2019 inductees into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.  As is customary, the Governor will select up to three women for induction into the Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors women who, through their works and lives, have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and for all citizens of the state of Florida. The Commission has determined that the following nominees exemplify the great diversity of women’s contributions to Florida life: Doris Mae Barnes, formerly of North Miami; Dr. Judith Ann Bense of Pensacola; Norma Jeanne Bochette, formerly of Ft. Myers; Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa; Millie Wilborn Gildersleeve, formerly of Palm Beach County; Mary Ellen Hawkins of Tallahassee; May Mann Jennings formerly of Jacksonville; State Senator Arthenia L. Joyner of Tampa; Dr. Susan MacManus of Tampa; and Shannon Miller of Jacksonville.

“The Florida Commission on the Status of Women, in the true spirit of celebration, is proud to honor these outstanding women who have had such a meaningful impact on our state and its history,” said Commission Chair Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Ph.D., DCJ.

“Each year it is more difficult to choose ten finalists to send to the Governor because of the many superb nominations we receive,” said Commissioner Maruchi Azorin, Chair of the 2019 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. This year marks the thirty-seventh year of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees will be honored at a ceremony on October 28, 2019, in Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2019 Future of Florida Forum.

Learn more about the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame here.