The Okaloosa Commission on the Status of Women hon- ored 26 women during its an- nual “Women of Honor” cere- mony 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, en- trepreneurs, 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, Cen- terWell; health-focused radio host • Trisha Graham, founding member/past pres., Okaloosa FAWL; former chair, County Commission on Status of Wom- en • Helen Harris, Pres., ADSO; owner, HH Arts • Sharon Herbison, long- time volunteer, Emerald Coast Mustang Club.
