- September 8, 2024
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Jearlyn "Pastor J" Dennie received the 2024 Inspirational Woman of the Year Award. Photo by Sierra Williams
Jearlyn "Pastor J" Dennie as the keynote speaker at the Women of Distinction gala. Photo courtesy the Women of Distinction
Jearlyn "Pastor J" Dennie (center) with the Women of Distinction board after receiving the Inspirational Woman of the Year award. Photo courtesy the Women of Distinction
For her work in ministry and community leadership, local pastor and activist Jearlyn Dennie was recognized by a South Florida, state-wide awards program, receiving the 2024 Inspirational Woman of the Year award.
“I am humbled by this award,” Dennie said.
Dennie is only the third recipient of the award, following 2023 recipient Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and 2022 recipient Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.
The award was one of several the conservative organization Women of Distinction handed out at its July 20 gala in Fort Myers. Women of Distinction is a scholarship and awards program of Republican women who recognize and support women who have “set the standard in their chosen profession and community endeavors,” according to the group’s mission statement.
Dennie was the gala's keynote speaker as well, sharing her story of surviving sexual abuse and then turning to ministry service to be "the light in darkness" in her community.
Women of Distinction founder and President Missi Lastra said in a texted statement that the group was honored to have Dennie receive the award.
“[Dennie’s] story inspires women that they can achieve great things through God’s grace despite their circumstances,” Lastra wrote.
Aside from her local talk show news program “Today with Pastor J” on WNZF NewsRadio, Dennie runs Jearlyn Ministries, Inc, and is a member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. She is also the leader of the local chapter of Alliance for Safety and Justice, and founded the statewide organization She Leads Florida, an affiliate of the national organization She Leads America.
For years, Dennie said she also served her community more locally, through memberships in her local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and, at one time, even sitting on the school advisory committees.
Dennie has had her share of pain — including the death of one of her daughters in 2022 — but, she said, “God never wastes a hurt.”
“I started serving in different areas of my community, just to be the light in darkness,” she said.
Dennie said she hopes her growth and success inspires how other women look at themselves. Other women going through difficult times might not have the same relationship with God as she does, Dennie said, but she said she hopes her story can help them continue to hope.
“As long as you have hope, as long as you begin to shine your light — and it doesn't matter what the situation, whatever it is —if you have hope you'll be able to get out of it,” she said.
