Women Trailblazers Champions

History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale will honor six new impactful women who lead our community during “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County” presented by UKG set for March 9 – 31, 2023. This year’s honorees are Lori Wheeler, vice president of Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Barbara Sharief, former Broward County commissioner and founder and CEO of South Florida Pediatric Homecare, Inc., Heather Geronemus, senior director, social equity, opportunity and impact at UKG, Stephanie Toothaker, Esq., chairwoman and chief strategist of Toothaker.org, Joy Satterlee, executive director of Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, and Ramola Motwani, chairwoman, Merrimac Ventures.

Today’s modern champions, along with their historical female predecessors who helped to pave the way for our community, will be honored during a ticketed preview and recognition ceremony benefiting History Fort Lauderdale

of Change

on Thursday, March 9, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Galleria Fort Lauderdale (2414 East Sunrise Blvd). The photography exhibition celebrating their achievements will be on display through March 31.

“History Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing this year’s new wave of leaders who embody strength, courage, enthusiasm, and a passion for giving back to the community,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “From growing our marine industry to creating opportunities for economic prosperity to developing land and even inspiring a new generation of artists, these fearless women are committed to making Broward County a premiere location to live, work and play.”

Past pioneering women counterparts to be highlighted in the exhibit include Angeline Weir (1924 - 2007),

Broward's first woman distaff solicitor and secretary to Broward State Attorney's office; Sylvia Alridge (1884 -1962), creator of the first woman-owned employment agency in Fort Lauderdale; Elsie Bellamy Blackwell (1896 - 2001), business partner/owner of Blackwell pharmacy and restaurants Rockery Tea Room and Stranahan House’s Pioneer House; Jane Wray (18821969), preservationist who established Floyd L. Wray Foundation in 1969 to preserve 60 acres of land which would later become Flamingo Gardens; Sadye Katz (1902-1986), co-owner of the first women's dress shop, fundraiser for the first area synagogue, and founder of Service Men’s Center (1942); and Mary Brickell (1836 - 1922), regional pioneer and land owner who helped shape Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Colee Hammock

Kick Off: March 9, 2023 | and in 1917, was instrumental in developing Las Olas Boulevard.

“Galleria Fort Lauderdale is proud to support History Fort Lauderdale’s Women Trailblazers ongoing effort to spotlight the industrious women who move our great city forward,” said Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager of Galleria Fort Lauderdale. “We invite the community to join us in celebrating their significant achievements and learn more about their personal and professional journeys through this engaging photography exhibit.”

As part of the special event, Dillard’s will host a popup shop with 10% of its sales benefiting History Fort Lauderdale.

Exhibit: March 9 - 31, 2023

Galleria Fort Lauderdale