Women of Distinction

Honoring Outstanding Women in Our Community

For over 35 years, Santa Fe College (SF) has recognized more than 190 outstanding women in Alachua and Bradford Counties. The SF Women of Distinction award was created by the Women's History Committee at SF in 1987. Each year, hundreds of women and men gather to celebrate the accomplishments of amazing women in our communities.

2024 Event Details

The 2024 event was held Tuesday, March 26, from 11:30am to 1pm at the UF Hilton Conference Center. The 2024 sponsors were:

Event Sponsor: Teal Tile and Carpet (Starke)

Program Sponsors: Campus USA; Merrill Lynch, Davis, Westerburg & Associates; R.E. Robinson Remodeling & Custom Builders LLC.

Table Sponsors: Altrusa of Gainesville; Bea Awoniyi; Kay Ayers; Paul and Joanne Broadie; Naima Brown; Chuck and Jane Clemons; Faulkner Realty; Jim and Carletta Herring; Jeffrey and Amy Hogue; Veita Jackson-Carter; Carrie Lee; Chrissy Thompson; Jo Wiggins; Guy and Martha York; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

A special thank you to the Office for Advancement and Marketing & Communications at Santa Fe College for their efforts in coordinating and supporting this event.

The 2024 honorees are:

  • Naima Brown, Vice President for Student Affairs at Santa Fe College, who supports student success on the job and in the community.
  • Jeannine Hogue, lifetime volunteer for community service organizations in Gainesville.
  • Chrissy Thompson, former health care worker, current restaurant owner and volunteer who promotes health in Bradford County.
  • Teri McClellan, Assistant Vice President for Advancement at Santa Fe College, who’s work helps with the efforts that advance the college’s mission and support growth within the community.
  • This year’s Woman of Promise is Honesty Huston, a recent graduate of Newberry High School and active volunteer who is aiming for a career in health care.
2024 Honoree Bios All Honorees

Sponsorships

Program Sponsor $1,000

  • Company name displayed in printed materials: advertising, event program, event signage and listed on the website.
  • Reservation for ten (10) at the celebration luncheon.

Table Sponsor $500

  • Company name displayed on table signage.
  • Guaranteed seating for group of ten (10) at the celebration luncheon.
  • If you are not able to fill the table, please let us know and we will offer the seats to students.

Individual Ticket $40

  • Due to limited seating, tickets will not be sold at the door.
  • Seating requests will be considered, but are not guaranteed.

A Little History

In 1987, Dr. Ann Bromley, coordinator of women's programs and special projects at Santa Fe College, sought to develop a program that would provide recognition and visibility to women for their contributions of time and talent. A committee was formed and the "Women of Distinction" honor began. Since its inception, Santa Fe College has bestowed the Woman of Distinction honor to over 192 remarkable women. In 2000, the committee created a special "Millennium Woman of Distinction" award and chose two previous recipients for the honor. Rosa B. Williams (Alachua County) and Joyce D. Riherd (Bradford County) were chosen for their tireless efforts on improving life for indigent people in their communities.

In 2006, the "Woman of Promise" category was added to honor outstanding up-and-coming young women for leadership in their community and civic involvement. As of this date, 20 young ladies have received this honor.

In 2014, the Women of Distinction honorees began raising funds to establish the first Woman of Distinction Scholarship fund. The first award was given for the 2015-16 academic year. With your support, through the SF Women of Distinction Scholarship, we have raised over $220,000 to endow four scholarships designed to enable women to achieve their academic goals without the financial burden which might inhibit the pursuit of their dreams for independence.

The 2022 goal was to complete a fifth scholarship totaling an endowment of $250,000 to support and mentor women in perpetuity. At the 2023 luncheon, Dr. Broadie announced that the scholarship fund-raising goal has been exceeded. He added that over $267,000 has been raised to create scholarships for women in our communities.

A new $250,000 initiative was launched to enhance programs, provide educational equipment and scholarships to the women in our local communities. We hope to raise additional funding to name the second-floor terrace in Blount Hall at the Blount Center (Gainesville) in honor of the Santa Fe College Women of Distinction and Promise and to provide a permanent sign listing individual names of all honorees.

Do you have someone you would like to honor with a permanent legacy? Ask us how! Contact Teri McClellan at teri.mcclellan@sfcollege.edu or 352-395-5201.