- October 31, 2024
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Dr. Erika Equizi, Nina Guiglotto, Mayor David Alfin, Diane Vidal and Vanessa Cole, at the Professional Women of Flagler County's fourth-annual tea party May 13, at Hammock Beach Resort. Photos by Brian McMillan
Fern Hailey, Allyson Rucci, Derin White and RosaMaria Vitoria, at the Professional Women of Flagler County's fourth-annual tea party May 13, at Hammock Beach Resort. Photos by Brian McMillan
Flagler County Judges Melissa Distler and Andrea Totten, at the Professional Women of Flagler County's fourth-annual tea party May 13, at Hammock Beach Resort. Photos by Brian McMillan
LaShakia Moore rose from humble beginnings — her grandmother was illiterate — to become superintendent of Flagler Schools. Today, she is one of the community’s most prominent women and most sought after public speakers. But, in her address to about 100 women on the fourth anniversary of the Professional Women of Flagler County, she said, “As women, we are not called to be famous but to be impactful.”
Moore encouraged the women in the audience May 13, at Hammock Beach Resort, to impact each other in a simple way: by looking at each other across the table and smiling.
There were some laughs as the ladies, wearing sun hats and floral dresses in the tea party theme, followed Moore’s direction.
“Acknowledge that you see her and are with her,” Moore said. “Give her a little bit of hope.”
PWFC has given hope in the past, in the form of grants, to help women business owners pay for things such as computers, advertising, or professional classes. On May 13, two of last year’s recipients shared their success stories.
Amy Dumas, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Palm Coast, said her grant paid for a professional certification that enables her to better serve first-time home buyers.
Lauren Ramirez, owner of Salus Medical Training, used her grant last year to help her qualify as a training site for CPR and AEDs. As a result, one graduate from one of her recent classes took action to treat someone during an emergency on a camping trip. Without the grant, the outcome may have been different.
“This grant grows businesses, but it also saves lives,” Ramirez said.
PWFC President Diane Vidal announced that the organization will be giving a record amount in scholarships and Go Girl Grants this year: over $20,000.
Vidal’s own story showed her motivation for encouraging women in business. She was the first woman in her family’s history to earn a bachelor’s degree. She went on to earn a juris doctorate and now is an attorney at Chiumento Law.
Vidal praised the women who have defied expectations and taken prominent roles in business, even as they continue to excel in their family roles.
Mayor David Alfin also celebrated the women’s accomplishments, saying that more than ⅓ of the businesses in Palm Coast are owned by women.
“You have been a pillar on which this community is growing,” he said.
To conclude the event, Sue Freytag and Jacqueline Sales Davis were recognized as finalists, and Abby Baker was announced as winner of the PWFC Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Visit https://professionalwomenflagler.org.
