The Okaloosa Commission on the Status of Women honored 26 women during its annual “Women of Honor” ceremony in May. The “Women of Honor” was first established as “Wall of Honor” by the OC- CSW in 1997 as an idea of its members who thought it would be a nice way for someone to honor the women in their lives whose works might be unknown to most others. Each honoree’s name is added to a plaque at UWF Emerald Coast’s library, celebrating local women who made a significant impact in their communities. The 2025 Women of Honor recipients include a remarkable group of leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and volunteers who have made lasting contributions across Okaloosa County and be- yond.
First Row: • Kathy Alexander, VP of RWOF, professional mathema- tician and civil servant at Eglin AFB • Dana Allen, advocate for women in the workplace • Tierra Barclay, Area Mgr., Sport Clips; national/state award-winning trainer and mentor • Annette Breton, children’s ministry leader and choir mem- ber, Wright Baptist Church • Dr. Betsy Christianson, ed- ucator and former Aerospace Education Foundation Teacher of the Year • Vanessa d’Aquin, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Ser- vices Dir., Crossroads Center Photo 1–Second Row: • Elizabeth “Libby” Hill, Pres., Niceville Women’s Re- publican Club; charter member, National League of Families (POW/MIA Southeast Asia) • Kiiya Hillsman, single mother and role model of resil- ience • Maria Howell, Pres., Em- erald Coast Assn. of Realtors; Owner/Broker, Rev Realty • Theri Isaacs, banking/ mortgage lender and Boys & Girls Club volunteer • Narissa Jenkins, Founder/ CEO, Healing Hoof Steps, equine-assisted mental health provider • Carol Kelley, mission vol- unteer, Women’s Missionary Union and International En- glish School • Carrie Knife, chef/owner, Knife’s Edge Café & Catering at Bob Hope Village Photo 1–Third Row: • Bonnie Nabors Pittock (posthumously, represented by son Jimmy Nabors), led Down- town FWB revitalization in the 1990s • Dr. Gail Shorter-Judson, Dress for Success Emerald Coast volunteer • Dina Smith, Board-Certi- fied Psychometrist, 492nd SOF Preservation of Force & Family, Hurlburt Field • Lisa Smith, owner, Creative Web Solutions; tech-savvy and community-minded • Ann Walther Sprague, founder, Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless; pianist and el- der, Community of Christ • Candace Tanner, founder, Downtown FWB Coffee Club • Julie Gracela Webb, ABA therapist and founder of Ad- vanced Sacred Hope Academy for children with autism.Front Row: • Karen Englert, Senior Home Health Specialist, CenterWell; health-focused radio host • Trisha Graham, founding member/past pres., Okaloosa FAWL; former chair, County Commission on Status of Women • Helen Harris, Pres., ADSO; owner, HH Arts • Sharon Herbison, long time volunteer, Emerald Coast Mustang Club.
