Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame Celebrates 30 Years
The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Women’s Hall of Fame, honoring seven outstanding women whose contributions have left a lasting mark on Okaloosa County.
Since 1995, 147 women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which recognizes those who have shaped the community through leadership in business, education, the arts, military service, and public service.
This year’s inductees were:
- Peggy Brockman (Business Professional): Founder of Bring Hope Now, Brockman has spent three decades advocating for youth mental health, suicide prevention, and domestic violence awareness.
- Martha “Jenny” Hamilton (Education, posthumous): Beloved Choctawhatchee High School educator, cheer sponsor, and student activities director whose career spanned more than 35 years.
- Helen Harris (Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts): President of ADSO and owner of HH Arts, Harris has fostered artistic growth and public arts initiatives across the county.
- Sherry Harlow (Pioneer): Retired Eglin Federal Credit Union PR manager with 45 years of service; founding member of the Emerald Coast PR Organization and champion of financial education.
- Kay Rasmussen (Military): Associate Director of One Okaloosa EDC, national board-certified economic developer, and longtime military liaison instrumental in securing federal defense funding.
- Eloise Stevens (Community Service): Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and community leader involved in mentoring, Bible studies, voter drives, and women’s health advocacy.
- Donna Tashik (Carolyn Spencer Humanitarian): Executive Director of Fresh Start for Children & Families, dedicated to helping homeless families achieve self-sufficiency.
Together, these women join the ranks of those whose vision, service, and leadership have shaped Okaloosa County for the better over the past three decades.
Congratulations to United Way’s 2025 40 Under 40 Honorees!
United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC) has announced its 2025 40 Under 40 class, celebrating young professionals throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties who are making an impact through leadership, community service and career achievement.
Presented by Florida Power & Light and hosted by UWEC’s NextGen United, the annual awards recognize 40 individuals, ages 21–40, who embody the mission of engaging, educating and empowering the next generation of leaders. Honorees were chosen through an open nomination process, followed by a review and scoring by a volunteer selection committee.
The 40 Under 40 Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5–7 p.m. at Shoreline Church, 140 Palmetto St. in Destin. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, networking, and the presentation of awards to all honorees. Tickets are available now at united-way.org/40under40.
The 2025 honorees are: Alexa Lambert, Tap the Coast; Alyssa Riley, Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Amanda Sanders, Gordon Martial Arts; Andrew B. Kindle, Okaloosa County Emergency Medical Services; Austin Bentley, United Community Bank; Brooklyn Peters, Okaloosa County School District & Choctawhatchee High School; Chesley Polk, Polkadot Entertainment; Crystal Weatherington, LJA; Dani Bartley, United States Air Force; Daniel Collins, Community Bank; Daniel Morrow, Dave Morrow: Allstate Insurance; Emily Clarrey, Katie’s House of Flowers & Gifts; Emily Criddle, Community Bank; Emily Dahm, Eglin Air Force Base; Francis Camosse, 3rd Planet Brewing, Niceville; Gabby Callaway, Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County; Gerard Bhagwatsingh, Fort Walton Beach Police Department; Hailey Lovejoy, Walton County Sheriff’s Office; Jae Baldizzi, RELI Marketing; Jennifer Gutai Comella, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC – Florida; Jessica McCormack, McCormack Tax; Joe Gordon, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; John Feeney, Alday-Howell Engineering, Inc.; Joshua Grace, Crestview Police Department; Justice Jones, Destin West Bayside; Justin Turner, Spine Life Chiropractic – Niceville; LXS Fregger, Bit-Wizards; Mariah Reynolds, Homelessness and Housing Alliance; Michael Tomlin, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC; Nicole Arnett Sanders, FiftySix; Quennie Pearl Kayser, Odom Hotelz; Ryan Fingall, Eglin Federal Credit Union; Samantha Gusoff, Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson & Big Gus Tractor & Equipment; Sara Greco, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs & Lead Into It, LLC; Sean Devlin, Sean Devlin Home + Design; Shae Bonifacio, City of Crestview; Shannettra Francis, City of Niceville; Tarra Wixom-Destin, Pink Coyote Dessert Co.; Tevan Millette, U.S. Army; and Tiffany Edwards, Weatherby Consulting.
PAWS in Urgent Need of Support
The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is facing a financial crisis that could lead to closure in early 2026 without immediate help. Serving Okaloosa County for nearly 60 years, PAWS operates as both animal control and shelter—one of only two nonprofits in Florida to do so. With only 56 kennels and more than 2,200 animals taken in since October 2024, costs have soared to over $1.1 million, while local contracts provide just $900,000. PAWS does not euthanize for space, but the shelter is full nearly every day. Donations are critical to continue lifesaving services. Learn more or give at paws-shelter.org or email Executive Director Tracey Kinsley at traceyk@paws-shelter.org.
