about us
2009 Awards
Celebration luncheon The "She Knows Where She's Going" Award Winners
Senator Lisa Carlton
After hearing Senator Lisa Carlton’s life story there is no doubt that she’s always known where she’s been going. Raised on a 17,000 acre ranch on the outskirts of Sarasota County, born to Mabry and Barbara Carlton, you could say leadership was in her genes. Mabry, a judge and a county commission, made a notable impact on his two daughters, teaching them about community involvement and a love for the land. Barbara, Lisa’s mother, took over the ranch after the untimely death of Mabry in 1989 and has since carried on the family’s management of the ranch. Senator Carlton learned at a young age a love for agriculture and a love for the community.
The most notable attribute of Senator Carlton’s extensive career was in 1995 when she became the newest and youngest delegate to represent Sarasota, which by the way was achieved by winning the seat from a 10-year Republican incumbent, State Representative Dave Thomas. Senator Carlton served in the Florida Senate for 10 years until she was term-limited. While there, she became the second highest-ranking post of president pro tempore.
Senator Carlton accomplished much while in Tallahassee, serving in a variety of leadership roles on educational and fiscal committees. At the same time, she was raising three small children and co-managing the Mabry Carlton Ranch with her mother and sister.
Senator Carlton has always played an active role in the Sarasota community from the Board of the Sarasota Agricultural Fair to the Taxpayers Association and the School-to-Work Shadowing Program. She currently serves on the board of the Education Foundation in Sarasota.
Senator Lisa Carlton serves as a role model to all girls, demonstrating a commitment to the community, while raising a family and running a family enterprise.
Sally Schule
Born in Clinton, Iowa, Sally Schule knew early she wanted a career in fashion. After completing her degree from Northern Illinois University with a BS in fashion merchandising and a minor in journalism, Sally began her career at Saks Fifth Avenue. You could say her business experience has taken her full circle as she made her way through Neiman Marcus, Jacobson’s and then back to Saks. Working first as the public relations manager, she was then promoted to assistant general manager and then all the way to the top as General Manager, where she has held that position since 2005.
Along the way, Sally has set a clear example of how to manage and support a staff while dealing with difficult family challenges at home. Sally’s daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and while working a full-time job, she quickly became her daughter’s medical advocate, searching for how to best approach her daughter’s medical condition. Sally was constantly dealing with emergency calls from school and caregivers after Kalie’s seizures. Kalie is now 19 and seizure free. Sally’s husband of 22 years, Bradd, and her 15- year old son, Tyler are part of Sally’s support team at home, as Sally stays busy with not only her daily work schedule but also her contributions to non-profits and fundraising all over Sarasota County.
Sally provides an excellent example of how hard work and dedication play a paramount role in her ability to give back to the community; all while raising a family and being a wonderful role model to our girls
Visionary Award
Kristine, Steve, Tim and Marlene White
This year’s Board of Trustees’ “Visionary Award” winner is the Steven and Kristine White family. Kristine White has volunteered with Girls Inc. for the past four years and she has made volunteering a family affair. When Kristine is not able to come in to work in the Kids Café program, Kristine’s daughter, Marlene, comes in. Kristine goes above and beyond her volunteer role, assisting in many other projects at Girls Inc., including the Celebration Lunch, etiquette lessons and work done at the center during the holidays. Namely, Project Claus that involves the entire White family and dozens of volunteers each year purchasing and passing out holiday gifts for hundreds of families. Their contributions as a family to our community are an inspiration to us all.
Girl of the Year
2008 Awards
Winner of the WEDU Be More ...Brillant
Described as an award for the organization that displayed the most imaginative, creative, and innovative use of original ideas to achieve organizational goals. Girls Inc. was able to earn this prestigous honor for our MicroSociety Program a microcosim of the real world within the walls of Girls Inc.
The city is called Dream Harbor and the girls are learning important real life skills. Each girl has a voice and choice as a Dream Harbor citizen. They construct their own learning and shape their learning culture. The MicroSociety program design teaches girls how to build and run a miniature society through the creation of businesses (ventures) and government agencies and the wealth of jobs within them. The entrepreneurial spirit motivates dynamic learning and pursuit of new ideas and opportunities. Young entrepreneurs produce goods and services, elected officials establish laws, Peace Keepers enforce these laws and reporters track down stories. All citizens earn wages, invest in products, deposit and borrow ( Micro dollars) money from “Micro” banks, and pay taxes, tuition and rent. Opportunities for leadership, meaningful decision-making and responsibility are vested, aligned and accounted for at every level. Teachers take the role of facilitators enabling their students to effectively run their own businesses and government agencies. Sarasota is one of the first after school programs to implement a MicroSociety into their after school programming.
2007 Awards
Winner of the WEDU Be More... Entertaining (Outstanding Achievement in Special Events)
In a community where hundreds of social and fundraising events take place each week, Girls Inc, dedicated to separate itself from the pack by doing what it does best. The event entitled "This One's Fore The Girls" - a very appropriate title - featured a myriad of components. Hosting more the 800 guests at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, the event hosts a young lady served by Girls Inc. seated at each table. The event included the presentations of 3 awards honoring women in the community who are inspiring girls to be precisely the organization's mission statement...to be strong, smart, and bold.
Excellence in Action Award
Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County recently received huge national recognition as the first recipient of the "Excellence in Action Award - Outstanding Affiliate of 2008". The award was presented March 31, 2008 at the National Girls Incorporated conference in Newport Beach, CA. Girls Incorporated of Sarasota was the only agency to achieve this award from among 83 Girls Incorporated member organizations.
Excellence in Staff Leadership
Dawn Wiley from Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County was awarded "National Program Staff of the Year" honor. Dawn has been with Girls Incorporated for 3 1/2 years. Over this time, she has continually taken on new tasks and responsibilities. Her nomination letter describes her behavior and attitude, in both her personal and professional life, as representative of the Girls Inc. mission and values. Dawn is instrumental is maintaining a cooperative environment for staff, volunteers and girls and she works throughout the community to advocate for the rights and needs of all girls.
Strong, Smart & Bold ® Alumna
Nancy Cason from Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County was awarded "National Alumnae of the Year" . Nancy gives back to the organization that helped her as a young girl by providing leadership to fundraising events and committees. She is a founding member of the Girls Inc. Alumna Association, and is helping this group plan a career fair for the Girls Inc. members as well as a fundraising project. Through her professional role as a local attorney, Nancy has committed to donate a minimum of 20 hours of legal work to families of Girls Inc. members. Nancy is a partner, Attorney at Law with Syprett, Meshad, Resnick and Lieb.
Celebration luncheon April 16th, 2008
The "She Knows Where She's Going" Award was presented to two amazing role models.
Susan T. Danis
"She Knows Where She's Going" Honoree 2008
The first recipient was Susan Danis, Executive Director of the Sarasota Opera. The Sarasota Opera recently re-opened its door at the beginning of March after a $20 million renovation of its 1926 historic Opera House. Not only was the successful $60 million campaign Susan's idea but the opera's budget has grown from $3.2 million to more than $8 million during her tenure.
Judi Gallagher
"She Knows Where She's Going" Honoree 2008
The second recipient was Judi Gallagher, a multi-media chef and culinary consultant business owner. Judi spices up our television and radio airwaves as well as writes for several local publications. She does this all while generously seasoning the culinary world with her consulting business for high-end restaurant clientele like Beach Bistro, Fleming's, Roy's, Venture Hotels and others.
Visionary Award Honoree 2008
Jaime L. Wallace
The 2008 Board of Trustees' "Visionary Award" winner was presented to long time Girls Inc. supporter Jaime Wallace. Joining the firm of Icard, Merrill in 1985, Ms. Wallace became the first woman shareholder of the firm in 2006. Jaime was the first chair of the Girls Incorporated's "Celebration Luncheon" in 1989, has served as President of Girls Incorporated's Foundation Board and has served on the National Girls Incorporated Board of Trustees.
"Girl of the year 2008"
Alexis Smith
This impressive young girl is the first mayor of Dream Harbor, our Girls Incorporated MicroSociety. During her term, Alexis has had the opportunity to represent Girls Inc. at several community events and shadow Sarasota's Mayor, Lou Ann Palmer. She has learned that the most important quality of being a good mayor is to listen to other girls' opinions. She has enjoyed working with Mayor Palmer, Vice Mayor Kirschner, Jude Riva and Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent. In addition to being the mayor, she also serves as the Post Master of Dream Harbor. One of her favorite parts of MicroSociety is the opportunity to spend micro dollars at the micro market.
Where are they now?
Dawnyelle Singleton
Girls Inc. Alumna
Dawnyelle is a Graphic Designer. Her motto is "Every day in every way, my life is getting better!"
Alicia Chalmers
Girls Inc. Alumna
Alicia owns her own business, Horizon Title Services. The most exciting thing in her life is her son, Colt and her life motto is "Live Well, Laugh Often, Laugh Much".
Nancy Cason
Girls Inc. Alumna
Nancy is an attorney in Sarasota, Fl. Her motto is "work hard, play hard, be honest and be true to yourself."