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Engaging Men, Advancing Women: Identifying Solutions

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“Engaging Men, Advancing Women”, Phase II, Part 2: A recap of the Advancing Women Forum on “Identifying Solutions”

By District 2 County Commissioner Rod Love

Orange County Commissioner Rod Love

Last week brought another great forum and job well done at our Advancing Women Forum on “Identifying Solutions.” I would like to extend my thanks and sincere appreciation to Ms. Virginia Whittington with MetroPlan Orlando, Reverend Dr. Gloria Stephens, Mrs. Quandra M. Love (AKA First Lady Love), District 2 Citizen of the Year Monique R. Morris, our moderator and host of The Tom Joyner Morning Show and News/Community Affairs Director at STAR 94.5 Monica May, our speaker Reverend Dr. Cynthia Hinson Graham, and our panelists: The Honorable Judge Faye Allen; Ms. Carmen Ruiz, Vice President of FASTSIGNS of Daytona Beach; Ms. Sandra Fatmi, one of the founders of United Foundation of Central Florida (UFCF) Inc. and Future Leaders United (FLU) at Evans High School; and Ms. Kaylin Bronson from Evans High School. Additionally, I would also like to give a special thank you to Dr. Randy Nelson and students from Bethune Cookman University and Ms. Curtesa Vanderpool from Evans High School for their support and partnerships. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Tammie Holt with Saving our Sons, and Guilaine Bell for their presence and input at the forum. Lastly, I would like to thank the women (and few men) who had attended and engaged in the conversation on Advancing Women through “Identifying Solutions.”

The invocation for the forum was given by Ms. Virginia Whittington. Following the invocation, Reverend Dr. Gloria Stephensspoke about her experience and journey in living with and recovering from breast cancer. In her testimony, Reverend Dr. Stephensstressed the importance of identifying the early signs of breast cancer and when to get checked by a doctor. Coincidentally, this was not only invaluable testimony coming from a breast cancer survivor for the forum but also given that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Our speaker, Reverend Dr. Cynthia Hinson Graham spoke about the importance of knowing your “next move” in life, even if you have already accomplished everything you had wanted to accomplish in life. During the panel discussion, Ms. Monica May asked each of the panelists what their next endeavor in life would be. Judge Allen had mentioned that she was very interested in poetry and that she would like to publish her own book as her “next move.”

The forum featured discussions on various important topics including community issues, domestic violence, leadership and much more. What was of particular importance to the women in this forum was mentorships for young women, getting out of violent relationships, resilience, and always knowing what your “next move” is in life. Students from Bethune Cookman University recorded feedback from the panelists and participating audience to utilize in developing a problem and solutions metric to be published as a community guide to addressing community issues. When the topic of mentorship came up, Ms. Monica May asked each of the students if they had or were currently doing an internship and if they had a mentor in their field of study. Ms. May talked about the importance of doing an internship early in your college career (as early as the sophomore year) and even connected some of the students with attendees from the Sheriff’s Office to help find a mentor for the students.

Through her dedication and commitment to students who participate in the UFCF and FLU, Ms. Sandra Fatmi empowers and mentors many young people to get the resources that they need, graduate high school and become productive members of society. One of the attendees at the forum had learned about the event through Ms. Fatmi and said that with Ms. Fatmi’s encouragement, she decided to attend.

Some attendees and panelists had opened up about their experiences with domestic violence and abuse, how they got out of it, and how they have used these experiences to find resilience, be stronger and help others. Two trained therapists, Ms. Tammie Holt, and Ms. Guilain Bell were present at the forum to provide assistance and resources to attendees. Ms. Monica May had asked each of the panelists to describe, in one word, their take on Reverend Dr. Graham’s speech. Ms. Carmen Ruiz selected the word “redemption,” where those who can get out of relationships with domestic violence and abuse can still heal. As Ms. Ruiz says, “There is power in redemption!”

Put together, the panelists and speakers exhibited two of many outstanding qualities: Leadership and Dedication. Having been selected as District 2 Citizen of the Year, Ms. Monique Morris has worked for Orange County Public Schools for 18 years and spends a majority of her free time working with different organizations in the community, including tutoring students. Ms. Kaylin Bronson, a Senior at Evans High School, serves as Senior Class Councilman, Secretary of the Interact Club, outfielder for the Lady Trojan Varsity Softball Team, and member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies, all while maintaining an outstanding 4.1 GPA.

While the second piece of “Engaging Men, Advancing Women”, Phase II has concluded, I will echo what I had stated last week: We must continue to ask questions, have these conversations, and find solutions.

Residents who missed the forum (or would like to watch for a second time) may watch the full program on our Facebook page: Orange County District 2 Commissioner.

 

District 2 Orange County Commissioner Rod Love

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