TCC celebrates Women's History Month

Tallahassee Community College will recognize ten women from the community, as well as five of the College's outstanding female students, during its annual Women's History Month Celebration on Wednesday, March 18.

Wednesday's event will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Grand Banquet Hall of the College's Center for Workforce Development.

In keeping with the 2009 national Women's History Month theme, “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet,” many of this year's honorees have dedicated countless hours to safeguarding the environment and protecting its inhabitants. As “guardians of the earth,” the honorees call attention to the many roles women play in defending the planet and preserving it for future generations.

“These 15 honorees, through a diversity of contributions to the environment, work and community, are most deserving of the recognition bestowed on them by TCC,” said Dr. Jeanne O'Kon, who serves as Chair of TCC's Women's History Month Committee and also teaches the Psychology of Women Course at the College.

Former State Representative Loranne Ausley, a previous TCC Women's History Month honoree, will serve as Keynote Speaker. Known for her strong advocacy for children, Ausley has also taken the lead in the historic preservation of downtown Tallahassee's buildings, as well as the cleanup efforts in Cascades Park. She currently serves as Board Chair of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation and as a senior advisor to the Lawton Chiles Foundation.

The 2009 Women's History Month community honorees are:

• Sandy Beck, Teacher and Education Director of St. Francis Wildlife Association,
• Susan Cerulean, Biologist, author, and director of Red Hills Writers Project,
• Janet Ferris, Juvenile Judge, Second Judicial Circuit, Family Division,
• Donna Legare, Native Nurseries, founding member of Birdsong Nature Center,
• Georjean Machulis, Artist and member of Canopy Roads Citizens Committee,
• Charlotte Maguire, Pioneering female physician and pediatrician,
• Nancy Marcus, Biological Oceanographer, FSU Dean of Graduate Studies,
• Pam McVety, Retired DEP, Stewardship for the Presbytery of Florida,
• Electra Theodorides-Bustle, Executive Director of the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and
• Mary Jean Yon, DEP Director of the Division of Waste Management.

TCC students being honored during Women's History Month are:

• Ana Balarezo de Lujan, Foreign Language Education major, school volunteer, named to President's List and Dean's List,
• Erica Cook, Journalism major, Phi Theta Kappa honor society, community volunteer for Ronald McDonald House and Relay for Life,
• Tinetta Cooper, Office Systems Technology major, student mentor, member of Tallahassee chapter of National Federation of the Blind,
• Sara King, International Relations major, Gilchrist Elementary Volunteer of the Year, perfect cumulative 4.0 GPA and
• Robin Malone, Psychology major, youth mentor, vocalist and winner of the "TCC Idol" competition.

Wednesday's event is open to the public and admission is free.

For more information on TCC's Women's History Month Celebration, contact Dr. Jeanne O'Kon by phone, (850) 201-8146, or email okonj@tcc.fl.edu.