Florida women honored at Manatee County School Board meeting with donation

BRADENTON -- The Manatee County School District is the first in the state of Florida to have a copy of "They Dared to Dream, Florida Women Who Shaped History," in each school library in the district after a donation at the beginning of the Manatee County School Board meeting Tuesday.

The book, written by Doris Weatherford, was commissioned by the Florida Commission on the Status of Woman Foundation.

It looks at Florida women's contributions and achievements from prehistory to now.

"As we all know, today's a very special day," said Dr. Mona Jain, a founding member of the commission. "A landmark historic event is taking place here in this room."

The book donation is part of the observance of Women's History Month and Tuesday was also International Women's Day.

Each public school library in Manatee County is getting a copy of the book. The donation was courtesy of Betty Schoenbaum, Laurey Striker, Mary Runnells, Lynette Edwards and Jain.

School board Vice Chairman Charlie Kennedy read a proclamation declaring March 2016 Women's History Month.

Before he did so, he asked the women in the room who work for the school district now or who worked in the district previously to come down to be honored.

Almost the entire audience came forward to be honored.

At the same time, the district honored the PACE Center for Girls, an alternative school that helps girls from 12 to 17 who struggle in traditional school settings.

Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Scott singled out the PACE Center for Girls for the work the organization does to help young women.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Florida women honored at Manatee County School Board meeting with donation ."