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WEATHER ALERT

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Fighting hair discrimination in Florida, lawmakers work to pass legislation

“If we look at what the American standard of beauty is, it’s not Black hair,” said Stamper’s client, Claire Truth. It stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. AdResearch from Dove shows a Black woman is 80% more likely to change her hair to meet social expectations at work. So far, The Crown Act is law in seven states including California, New York, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. Dove and the Crown Coalition worked with Democratic Sen. Holly Mitchell in California to introduce the first Crown Act in 2019.

Community honors life of Helen Williams Bronson, first lady of Bethune-Cookman University

Helen Williams Bronson, known as the first lady of Bethune-Cookman University, passed away on March 5. (Bethune-Cookman University BCU Marketing)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Loved ones, friends and an entire university community are remembering a woman of grace and elegance who leaves a huge legacy behind. Known as the first lady of Bethune-Cookman University and the curator of the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation, Helen Williams Bronson, passed away from natural causes on March 5. In addition, Dr. Bronson was a pastor and his wife was the first lady. This scholarship provides tuition assistance to well-deserving undergraduate students at Bethune-Cookman University.

‘Fly Like a Girl’ documentary helps inspire next generation of female aviators

LAKELAND, Fla. – In a field currently dominated by men, one Florida film is encouraging young girls and women to fly to new heights by telling the stories of passionate female aviators and showcasing the next generation aspiring to be one of them. Wiatt remembers when Central Florida organization Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo came to her school to do a presentation and a female pilot came along. She is also among the extraordinary group of diverse girls and women pushing for representation in the aviation industry. And I think women especially are really created to be hard workers and to do the hard stuff. For more stories celebrating local Florida women and their legacies, check out clickorlando.com’s Women’s History Month section.

Trailblazing Majors retire, continue serving Ocala community without badge

Tara Woods saw an ad for an Ocala Community Service Officer at a church in 1990. “It was a great way to give back to the community I grew up in.”Retired Maj. Tara Woods with Ocala Police (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Retired Maj. Robin Ford with Ocala Police (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Twenty-two days later both Woods and Ford are back serving their community as civilians. Retired Maj. Robin Ford (left) & Retired Maj. Tara Woods (right) (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

How one Lakeland-native found her path in the music industry

I can’t sing, I’m not a great guitar player, I do have guitars, I’m not amazing in that way,” the VEVA Sound president said. “And the whole back end of of the music industry is something I didn’t know about, and something I went to school for. What’s that?’”Now Fairchild, who grew up near Lakeland, is the president of music technology company VEVA Sound. AdThe Nashville music executive said there are plenty of careers in the music industry that don’t involve having a musical ability you typically think of in your favorite artists, including songwriting and sound engineering. There is always room to carve a path in the music industry for any up and coming professionals.

Brevard County teen among first, historic group of girls to reach Eagle Scout

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – At 16, Rebecca DeVoid made history by being part of the first group of girls in the country to earn their Eagle Scout badge. If I can become an Eagle Scout, what can I not do?” DeVoid said. The father recalled taking his two girls to Boy Scout meetings and events, adding it’s no easy task to earn an Eagle Scout badge. “It really helped me to become a better leader, learn more about myself, about the world,” Rebecca DeVoid said. Eagle Scout Rebecca DeVoid's rainwater collection system at Erna Nixon Park (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Building a business: How one female CEO turned difficult pregnancies into opportunity

For Pink Stork founder and CEO Amy Upchurch, the need was her own struggle with difficult pregnancies after she found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. “I knew what it felt like to be struggling and hurting and looking for something, anything, like a miracle, ‘What would make me feel better?’” Upchurch said. So, long story short, Pink Stork was born in 2015.”Upchurch now has five children and her company, based in St. Augustine, includes 50 employees. Pink Stork also has an online platform geared toward supporting women through community. Because if you stop now, you’re not going to make it to the other side.

‘I saw the need of the people:’ Ocala’s first Black councilwoman reflects on being a voice for the city

OCALA, Fla. – At the young age of 80, Mary Sue Rich left her post on the Ocala City Council after serving for 24 years. At the young age of 80, Mary Sue Rich left her post on the Ocala City Council after serving for 24 years. At the young age of 80, Mary Sue Rich left her post on the Ocala City Council after serving for 24 years. Rendering of Mary Sue Rich Community Center (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) AdThe Mary Sue Rich Community Center is expected to be completed in 2022.

First female Chief Judge elected to Ninth Judicial Circuit

The Honorable Lisa T. Munyon will make history this summer as the first female Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. “I am truly humbled by the support of my colleagues,” Chief Judge-Elect Munyon said. Together, the judges of this circuit will continue to serve our community well.”AdWe are pleased to announce that the Honorable Lisa T. Munyon has been elected as the first female Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. pic.twitter.com/E4JrWfdsdZ — Ninth Circuit Court of FL (@NinthCircuitFL) February 10, 2021According to a release from the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Chief Judge-Elect Munyon is a double Gator, receiving both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. Chief Judge-Elect Munyon will assume her new role on July 1 and succeeds the Honorable Donald A. Myers, Jr.

News 6 honors Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month initially started as a week, but it grew out of a celebration recognized by the school district in Sonoma, California, in 1978, according to History.com. Their goal was to highlight women’s contributions to culture, history and society that were long unrecognized in education. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter designated the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week via presidential proclamation. Congress followed suit in 1981, and then in 1987, the National Women’s History Project was successful in getting Congress to expand it to the entire month of March. Enter your email address below, and then tell us about your favorite woman in local history-- she can either have made history or currently be making history.