News Release Header
For Immediate Release:
February 14, 2013
Media Contact:
Edith Torres
[email protected]
305-755-7862

In The Company of Women, Presented by Macy's and Enterprise Holdings, Celebrates 25 Years

14 Women Leaders in South Florida to be Recognized


In the Company of Women, presented by Macy's and Enterprise Holdings, will celebrate its Silver Jubilee during an annual awards ceremony and reception recognizing 14 women who have helped shape the South Florida community through their artistic talents, business acumen, pioneering spirit, ingenuity and courage. 

Timed to coincide with Women's History Month, the 25th Annual In the Company of Women Awards Presentation will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2013, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Rusty Pelican located at 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway in Key Biscayne.  Local 10 news anchor Neki Mohan will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.

The event is hosted by the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women and Miami Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, in partnership with the non-profit Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade; and made possible by the support of generous sponsors including Macy's, Enterprise Holdings, Florida Power and Light, AT&T and others. Proceeds support parks and parks programming, including recreational scholarships for underserved children.

This year's honorees include:

Mayor's Pioneer Award - Marie Osborne, Esq. - Chief Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Division, 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Arts & Entertainment - Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Executive Director/Curator, Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Inc.

Business & Economics - Gabriele Marewski, Founder and Owner of Paradise Farms Organic.

Communications & Literature - Anne Cruz, Ph.D, M.A., A.B., Acting Director, Center for the Humanities, University of Miami, Department of Modern Languages and Literature, College of Arts and Sciences.

Education & Research - Jacqueline Foster-Moody, Opera singer and Music Educator at Coral Reef Elementary School, Dade County Public Schools. 

Government & Law (Elected) - Honorable Anitere Flores, Florida State Senator, District 38.

Government & Law (Elected) - Honorable Lisa Walsh, Circuit Court Judge, Civil Division

Government & Law (Non-Elected) - Katherine W. Ezell, Esq., Partner, Podhurst Orseck, P.A.

Health & Human Services - Dr. Sonjia Kenya, Assistant Professor, Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Science & Technology - Susan Markley, Ph.D., Chief, EECO Division of the Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Department.

Sports & Athletics - Amy Deem, Head Coach of the US Women's Olympic Track & Field; Head Coach, University of Miami Track & Field.

Community Spirit Award - Constance Collins, Esq., President, The Sundari Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Lotus House Women's Shelter.

Community Spirit Award - Priscilla Dames-Blake, Founder and President of Wingspan Seminars, LLC.

Posthumous Honors - Diana Cordova-Pena, Miami-Dade Police Officer from 2006 - 2012.

Tickets to the reception and awards ceremony are $50 ($60 at the door).  Contributions of $250 and above also afford young women from Miami-Dade Park's Girls Empowerment and Mentoring (GEM) Program and the Girl Scouts' Get Real! Mentoring Program, an opportunity to attend the event.  Advance tickets can be purchased at www.mdparks.org.  For more information, call Victoria Mallette at 305-755-7804 or Vivian Greer-Digon at 305-271-0812.

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.

About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors.  Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.  For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.

About The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women
The Commission for Women falls within the purview of Miami-Dade's Office of Community Advocacy, a division of the Chair's Office.  The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women was created in 1971 as an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners, the County administration and the public at large about issues pertaining to the status of women.  The Commission for Women also advocates for women in the community and strives to improve their quality of life.  For more information call (305) 375-4967, email [email protected]; or visit the website at www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/CFW_home.asp.  

About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of their customers.

About Enterprise Holdings
St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings owns and operates - through its regional subsidiaries - the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand. Its worldwide network includes more than 7,700 neighborhood and airport locations, with 5,500 offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S.