Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

The Sunny 106.3 Outstanding Women Of Southwest Florida

April 20th

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED.

Sunny 106.3 Presents The Outstanding Women Of Southwest Florida

There are many Outstanding Women in our community who are inspiring leaders. They implement positive change, celebrate diversity, and represent all walks of life. Sunny 106.3 is celebrating and recognizing these Outstanding Women in our Southwest Florida community and we need your help!

This is your opportunity to highlight a diverse group of inspiring, outstanding women of Southwest Florida who represent different careers, backgrounds, volunteer activities, family lives, and passions. If you know an Outstanding Woman who is making a difference in the community, please join Sunny 106.3 as we recognize the Top 12 Outstanding Women of Southwest Florida.

Special Thanks To Our Sponsor, Gavin’s ACE Hardware

Gavins Ace Hardware

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS OUTSTANDING WOMEN

Sandra Worth
Share
Nominated by Dustin Worth. Sandra is the founder and Executive Director of My Autism Connection (MAC). MAC is a community of support for autistic adults that provides teachable opportunities to develop skills towards independence, fosters authentic friendships, and empowers for acceptance. Sandra has lead this program since 2012 for free, volunteering her time to help MAC's members. www.myautismconnection.net
Melissa Blazier
Share
Nominated by David Silverberg. Melissa Blazier is the Supervisor of Elections for Collier County. She has done an outstanding job protecting and administering the county's elections. Most recently she oversaw a Naples City election that was decided by just 22 votes and went into recount. Her work has been a model of effectiveness and integrity and even her critics have praised her performance.
Meghan DeLuca
Share
Nominated by Gloria Tate. Meghan was born and raised in South Florida where she raised her three, now adult, children. In 2022, their family proudly welcomed their first grandchild. She spent over 20 years in Commercial & Residential Property Management and Development before saying “yes” to the call to serve in ministry full time to serve as successor to the Founder of Lifeline Family Center, now known as Thrive. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. While staying true to the mission and vision of Thrive, Meghan has grown the organization into a full-service wrap-around organization offering programs and services to women in crisis and unplanned pregnancies and single moms and their children while providing the spiritual and emotional support they need to thrive. Meghan nurtures deep relationships with the organizations’ donors and advocates through effective communication and earnest compassion. She forms partnerships with service groups, organizations, and businesses throughout the region to build awareness and advance the mission of Thrive. Meghan proudly serves on the National Maternity Housing Coalition for Heartbeat International and the National Christian Housing Conference Committee to help further the mission of the nationwide pregnancy help movement. She also serves within her community as a board member for the Cape Coral Museum of History, Chamber of Commerce Cape Coral Education Committee, Rotary Club of Cape Coral and the Planned Giving Council of Lee County. Meghan is a Cape Coral Champion who puts Faith, Family and Community first and foremost in her life. It is an honor to nominate Meghan to be recognized as an outstanding Woman in Cape Coral and throughout Lee County.
Meaghan Brady Palumbo
Share
Nominated by Colleen Brady. I am nominating my daughter Meaghan as she is a most outstanding and accomplished woman. She is the Director of business development for Park Royal Hospital in Fort Myers is an amazing advocate for mental health awareness. She's a mom of a 20 month year-old baby boy. She recently celebrated her 11th year anniversary in sobriety, she and her husband Mike tremendous activist in the sober community, encouraging and helping young people to get sober when needed. While tirelessly achieving her commitments to both work and the AA community Megan is a wonderful mom loving, nurturing and amazing role model she is. I have the The gift of taking care of her son, my grandson while she works, so I have been blessed to be a part of her life and deserving all that she is all that she does. I'm beyond proud of my daughter and would love for her to be recognized. Thank you for your time, and I listen to you on my way to take care of my grandbaby every morning. Have a great day.
Mary ‘Molly’ Arthur
Share
Nominated by Jill Schmieg. Mary “Molly” Arthur is the Founder and Head of School of Educational Pathways Academy. With over 30 years of experience in special education and teaching in both private and public schools, Molly is Southwest Florida’s most-esteemed educator and administrator in the area of learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and ADHD. Mrs. Arthur holds a degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from the University of South Florida. Over her career, Mrs. Arthur has engaged with thousands of dyslexic students and students with other language-based learning challenges. These students face significant struggles with language-processing, reading, writing, and spelling, despite high intelligence, motivation, and access to a quality education. As background, dyslexia affects 1 in 5 people in the general population. The risk factors associated with dyslexia and learning differences are significant. In fact, dyslexic students are at least two times more likely to be bullied by peers, and three times more likely to drop out of high school. Research studies show that as many as 85% of incarcerated youth have learning or emotional disabilities, and dyslexics have a three times higher risk of attempting suicide. And yet, some of the most admired and accomplished people of modern times are dyslexic, including Steve Jobs, Anderson Cooper, Keira Knightly and Sir Richard Branson, to name a few! In fact, 40% of entrepreneurs are likely to be dyslexic --- four times the amount compared to the general population! Dyslexics excel as visionaries, have confident, persistent attitudes and excellent oral communications, and use their sense of intuition frequently. (Sources available upon request) In August of 2017 in Collier County, recognizing that students with learning differences are underserved, often misunderstood, and have amazing talents ready to be nurtured, Mrs. Arthur and a small but powerful team of educators opened the first private school of its kind, Educational Pathways Academy, specifically dedicated to serving students with dyslexia and other learning differences. Educational Pathways Academy provides a comprehensive approach to learning that has been designed to effectively and comprehensively address the needs of students with learning differences, utilizing Orton-Gillingham, hands-on, multisensory activities, individualized learning and assistive technology. In 2022, Mrs. Arthur and her team opened a second campus in Lee County, enabling the school to also expand its reach to serve students across all grades K through 12th. This May, Educational Pathways Academy will celebrate its first-ever high school graduate, as enrollment approaches 200 students for the 2024-2025 school year. “On behalf of the families and students who have struggled mightily with learning differences, it is with the deepest gratitude to Molly Arthur that I nominate her for the Outstanding Women of SW Florida award. Her vision, her persistence and her dedication to transform the academic, social and emotional well-being of our children is to be commended at the highest level. Her work and the work of her staff to help children overcome their reading and language struggles help our children – the future generation of South Floridians -- confidently blaze a path to a bright future.” Jill Schmieg, EPA Parent and Founder and Chief Strategist at Sol de Naples Marketing.
Mary Disher
Share
Nominated by Stephanie Lucy. Nomination for: Mary Disher The definition of outstanding is someone or something that is remarkable or impressive. What defines an outstanding woman? Is it her level of education, career choice, financial success, maybe the car she drives or house she lives in? Perhaps. Yet, I believe it's her passions and commitments; being confident, empathetic, and supportive. Mary Disher embodies these qualities. A devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and so much more—truly, an outstanding woman. Over the last few years, my mother has had the privilege to be nominated and presented with the Outstanding Women of the Year award. This is a great recognition, one we continue to nominate her for, for all she has done and continues to do for our family and in our community. Most daughters, if asked, would probably say their mother is their hero, the one person they want to be when they grow up. While this is true, a mother should also be a mentor and cheer leader, the one person you strive to be like or better than. My mother has been this for me. While our mother/daughter relationship has its ups and downs, she is always there to show her support and encourage me to keep going, both with family hardships and career growth and aspirations. Mary has always been a hard-working woman. Raising my bother and I, never letting us see when she was struggling or that we were going without. We had everything we ever needed or asked for. She raised us to be creative, independent, loving, humble, and generous people. My brother, a Florida cowboy, who works from sunup to sundown on a cattle ranch, owns a poultry business and shares his homestead with wife, children, and grandchildren. I, with a heart of service, went back to school as a stay-at-home mother to three young boys, earned a bachelor’s in human services. Since then, have worked for three local non-profits ranging from domestic violence to homelessness, and now disaster/financial assistance with United Way. Mary remains a steadfast source of inspiration, actively engaging with her community through various avenues. Whether through her involvement with the local American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), Toast Masters, volunteering at her grandchildren’s schools, and with her daughter at United Way. Her profound love for her community and commitment to nurturing relationships are timeless, shining a light for those around her to follow. Mary is an outstanding mother and I nominate her for the 2024 Outstanding Women’s Award. “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another, we’re strongest when we cheer each other on” - Serena Williams. Submitted by: Stephanie Lucy (daughter)
Lucy Hueca
Share
Nominated by Sheri Baker. My mother-in-law is an incredible woman who has dedicated her life to caring for others. As a single mom, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, often sacrificing her own needs to ensure they had everything they needed. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, she always remained positive and determined to create a better life for her family. Her selfless nature and unwavering work ethic are truly inspirational, and she deserves to be recognized for all that she has accomplished. Winning this award would not only be a testament to her hard work and resilience but also a way to show her how much she is appreciated and admired by those around her.
Kim Gaide
Share
Nominated by Rodney Robinson. It is my distinct honor to recommend Kim Gaide for the SUNNY 106.3 Outstanding Women of Southwest Florida: Kim Gaide has worked for the Lee Memorial Hospital System for the past 38 years from 1986 to the present. She is currently the Community Benefits Outreach Manager. She started the Military Support Program in May 2003. In the past twenty years, she coordinated over 125,000 pounds of care packages and supported over 2,500 local military members during multiple deployments overseas. She supervises a Volunteer force of 15 which sends monthly care boxes, welcomes our troops home at the airport, and shares a lot of information with our Lee County Veterans, Seniors, and their respective organizations. Throughout each year she hosts several fundraisers and organizes several Veterans events in support of the Military Support Program. Kim helps Veterans, Seniors, and their Family Members with referrals to the United Way/Mission United, Red Cross, American Legion, VFW, Home Base Veteran Family Care, and Senior Helpers. Her Military Support Program Volunteers participate twice a month in the VA Food Pantry and always provide additional items as needed. She attends all of the Health Fairs within Lee Health accessing different departments throughout the Lee Health System. Kim led Lee Health to join with the American Red Cross, the United Way's Mission United, and Home Base Veteran Family Care to launch the Veteran Visitation Program at the Cape Coral Hospital. This Veteran Visitation Program at the Cape Coral Hospital was the first in the nation at a Civilian Hospital. • Currently there are 30 families receiving support from Kim and her 15 Volunteers. • Maintains a mini-warehouse consisting of 1,000s of donated items to provide Veterans locally and Military Members deployed overseas. • She partners with Lee County JROTC to coordinate community service and support to Veterans by removing over 2,000 flags after Memorial Day. • Kim also works with the Veterans Treatment Court to ensure our Veterans receive the care and assistance they deserve. • Kim serves on the Committee to Honor our World War II Veterans and Korean War Veterans - Saluting Our Heroes '45 & '53. • She provides information to Veterans about the Collier-Lee County Honor Flights so Veterans can register and be selected to tour the military memorials in Washington. D.C. • Kim has worked with the Florida Everblades to set up a Suite to Support the Military, a program where Veterans or Active-Duty Military can register and attend a game with nine of their friends and enjoy a meal and passes for free parking. • She partners with the United Way & Mission United and a network of businesses, community organizations, and military supporters to connect local returning veterans and their families with resources. • She also partners with the Gulf Coast Blue Star Mothers to collect items for and prepare care packages distributed monthly to deployed troops. • Conduct fundraising to purchase and place wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America Program and the placing of flags on Memorial Day • Heidi Ruster, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Lee County, said "Ms. Kim Gaide is an asset to our community and the Armed Forces." Honors & Recognition 2023 - Honored by American Legion Post 38 for Outstanding Support to the Community of Active Duty, Veterans and people in need 2015 - Honored with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award 2014- Honored with the Hodges University Alumna of the Year for 2014 2012 - Fort Myers Rotary South honored Kim at their 5th Annual Hero Appreciation Day for the service that she provides to our Veterans and Military members 2012 - Kim Gaide was selected as the Injury Prevention Citizen Volunteer of the Year. 2009- Honored with the Lee Memorial Health System President's Award for Management 2008 -Assisted Lee Memorial Health System in receiving the 5 Star Award for Above and Beyond Award for Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve 2007 -American Red Cross of Lee County Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to the Armed Forces 2005 -Assisted Lee Memorial Health System in receiving the 3 Star Award for Above and Beyond Award for Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve 2003 - Honored with the Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors "Doc" Coggins Commitment to Excellence Employee Award I have known Kim Gaide for the past 15 years, having worked with her to promote and support Lee County Veterans and JROTC activities, events, and ceremonies. I have never met a lady like Kim Gaide who works long hours and goes above and beyond to support Veterans, Seniors, Military Members, and their families. She inspires me to want to do more for our Lee County Veterans and JR OTC. I know a lot of exceptional women but none of them match the passion, hours, and work ethic of Kim Gaide. Therefore, I am honored to nominate Kim Gaide as one of the SUNNY 106.3 OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
Katrina Bowers
Share
Nominated by Brian Bowers. Katrina Bowers is an extraordinary woman, excelling in both her professional and personal endeavors. Her dedication to Douglas Elliman Reality has been honored with the elite Ellie award, representing top 20% in worldwide productivity. She has demonstrated her compassion for the elderly by being instrumental in the opening of Better Choice Home Health Care in Naples, Fl. She showcases her commitment to making a positive impact on her community both professionally and personally by being a devoted wife and mother. Katrina exemplifies a living faith while providing a loving home where her husband and children can thrive. Loved by her family and profession, Katrina is deserving to be honored by her community.
Karen Curtiss
Share
Nominated by Shana Feren. Karen Curtiss is a pillar in her community. Her education with an MBA in Religious Instruction and a PhD in Ministry pales in comparison to the actual inspiration and motivation she spreads daily. Karen has worked with the community to spread awareness and fight the war against human trafficking. She has worked with Community Ambassadors of Today and Tomorrow (CATT) to feed families in need and motivate young people to do the right thing even when no one is watching. Karen is one of those people that lives the life they inspire others to live. She is a a wonderful daughter, a beloved sister, an inspirational author, and a fierce, fierce friend. She deserves to be awarded for her wonderful contributions to our community.
Jennifer Barone
Share
Nominated by Allison Azzilonna. My nominee is Jennifer Barone. She is the Administrative Director of Kindness Animal Hospital in Cape Coral. She has moved up in ranks due to her abilities, determination, compassion and much GRACE. She is a young mother of 4- Ranging from 17 to 8. We as mothers know is no easy task. Jennifer has added running a Hospital along with raising a family. I have watched this young woman grow into the person she is today. I believe people forget that it's the daily everyday tasks and routines with her family and employees, always showing up, fixing situations, listening to problems,addressing schedules, that qualify her as an Outstanding Woman of SW Florida. There is so much more to Jennifer Barone that one could not possibly put down on paper. I will leave you with , She is an inspiration to Woman that you can work hard and have it all. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to nominate her.
Eleanor Failla
Share
Nominated by Mario Failla. Eleanor is an outstanding individual she overcame so many obstacles in her life to be where she is today she never gave up even when everything was against us she never gave up after Hurricane Ian hit she was working for Benita Bills she was down there with all the flood waters getting that place up and running again she never asked anybody for any help whatsoever she's outstanding she never gives up if she meets a challenge she meets it head on she's amazing she's not a quitter and she and if she can help somebody she's there she's helping somebody

Might Like

Outstanding Women Of Southwest Florida Awards Ceremony And Photos

We handed out the awards Friday and it was quite the celebration of excellence. Here is more on the Outstanding Women of Southwest Florida awards ceremony and photos to boot. It is our third annual event and we had more nominations this year than ever before.

How Outstanding Women of Southwest Florida are chosen

Nominations are open to everyone. We are looking for women who make a difference in the community, and there are many of them. There are no paraments as far as occupation, age, etc. The purpose is to recognize women who go above and beyond in all aspects of life so we can honor them. After all of the nominations are gathered, we put the names of the finalists online at Sunny 106.3 along with information about them. Next, time to vote. Listeners were able to vote once an hour and for as many nominees as they wanted.

Finally, we tallied all of the votes to come up with this year’s top twelve Outstanding Women. Congratulations to the 2023 winners:

Gloria Tate
Vanessa Nank
Betty Love
Linda Thompson
Maria Cox
Danielle Flood
Audrey Stadtler
Tracey Duhaney
Julia Gaylor
Sharalyn Lark
Trish Leonard
Glenna Hayhoe

Big thank you to Artichoke and company for serving us an outstanding lunch. It was also great to see some of the past Outstanding Women of Southwest Florida Award recipients show up for the festivities. We could not have done it without the support of Achieva Credit Union as the event’s title sponsor. In addition, Gavin’s Ace Hardware as our corporate sponsor. Both give back to the community in so many ways. We are always proud to partner with them in events like this one.

The room was full of such an inspiring group of women and those who love and support them. If we could just harness the energy, talent and compassion, and then spread it around the globe, the world wound be a better place. Congrats again to the 2023 Outstanding Women Of Southwest Florida Awards winners.

If you have more photos to share, send them to [email protected]

Share
We had a great turnout. Artichoke and company is a perfect place to host events like this one.
Share
Artichoke and company hosted our awards luncheon. The food was fantastic and the space perfect.
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Sunny 106.3 Morning Show host Gina Birch printing the awards. Outstanding Women Awards 2023
Share
Share
Share
Of course each award winner gets a swag bag. Congrats to those who won and thanks to those who did the nominating.
Share
The beautiful awards given to each Outstanding Woman of Southwest Florida award winner. Congrats to all of you
Share
Share
Share
Share
Getting ready fo present the awards for Outstanding Woman of Southwest Florida.

Contest Rules

WJPT-FM 12 MOST OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Official Contest Rules These rules apply to the 12 Most Outstanding Women in Southwest Florida (“Contest”) conducted by Beasley Media Group, LLC d/b/a WJPT (“Station”). In addition, the General Contest Rules posted at www.sunny1063.com apply to this Contest. If there is a conflict between the General Contest Rules and the Rules for this Contest, the Rules for this Contest shall control.

HOW TO ENTER

The Contest will begin on April 20, 2024 and end on June 3, 2024.

To participate in the Contest and enter online, visit www.sunny1063.com and follow the links and instructions to enter the Contest and complete and submit the online entry form beginning on April 20, 2024 at 8:00AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ending on May 13, 2021 at 9:30AM ET (“Online Entry Period”). Online entrants are subject to all notices posted online including but not limited to the Station's Privacy Policy. Limit one (1) entry per eligible person during the Online Entry Period regardless if entrant has more than one email address. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address. Entries submitted may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the Contest administrator.

Entrants will be required to nominate an outstanding woman (the “Nominee”), and entrant must upload an original, unedited photo of the Nominee (“Photo” or “Photo Submission”) and a short original essay (“Essay”), 500 words or less, about the Nominee. All essays must include the following items to be considered eligible; 1. Community contribution and involvement, 2. Self-Achievement. Obscene, provocative, or otherwise objectionable content will not be considered, and such determination is solely at the discretion of the Station. Edited photos (i.e. filters) are not permitted and will be disqualified. Photos must be in .jpg or .gif format with a maximum file size of 10MB. The same Photo may not be submitted more than once.

Photo and Essay Submissions must be the entrants’ original, creative work, and must not be protected by copyright; each entrant must have the right to submit them. Photo and Essay Submissions may not defame or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or proprietary rights including but not limited to copyrights or trademarks. Photo and Essay Submissions must not contain copyrighted materials or any other materials that may be restricted, prohibited or outlawed by federal, state or local laws. Station, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any entry if such entry’s associated Photo and Essay Submission, or other content contains illegal, indecent, pornographic, sexually explicit content or otherwise offensive material such as aberrational behavior, graphic violence or drug abuse, or if such Photo and Essay Submission or other content contains any material whose content is deemed, at the sole discretion of the Station, to be unsuitable for public display or posting on the Station’s website. The Station’s determinations with respect to all such matters shall be made in its sole discretion and shall be final. Photos that do not comply with these rules will not be eligible for the Contest. By submitting a Photo and Essay, all entrants agree that they have permission to post the Photo and Essay and grant Station permission to use their Photo and Essay for any purpose including without limitation being posted on www.sunny1063.com.

Entrants may submit multiple nominations but may nominate a Nominee a maximum of one (1) time. A Nominee may be nominated multiple times, but only if by different entrants. Nominees are eligible to win in the Contest only once. An entrant may nominate herself.

There will be up to a total of twelve (12) Prize-winning Nominees selected in the Contest.

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS

This Contest is open to all Station listeners who are 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry into the Contest, who are legal US residents and reside in the following Florida counties: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, except where prohibited by law. Winners must possess a valid, government-issued ID and show proof of residency to verify eligibility.

These eligibility restrictions apply to both the entrant and the Nominee.

Prize will be awarded to the Nominee listed on the online entry form, not the entrant (unless the entrant nominated herself).

PRIZES

Up to twelve (12) Prizes will be awarded. Each Prize consists of one (1) framed award with winning Nominee’s name. There is no cash or other retail value associated with each Prize.

Prizes must be claimed as described by the Station at the time of winning within thirty (30) days of winning. Failure to claim Prize by the specified time will result in forfeiture of the prize. It is the winner’s sole responsibility to claim the Prize or prize certificate within the timeline provided in these Official Rules. In the event that a prize or prize certificate is mailed to the winner, it will be with the prior written consent of the winner and therefore, winner assumes the risk of its arrival. The Station is not responsible for the safe arrival of a prize or prize certificate.

SELECTION OF WINNERS

All eligible Photo and Essay Submissions will be posted on the Station website at www.sunny1063.com beginning on May 13, 2024 at 10:00AM ET and ending on May 31, 2024 at 3:00PM ET (“Public Voting Period”). The public should be voting on each Nominee using the following judging criteria: 1. Community contribution and involvement, 2. Self-Achievement. Each Nominee may be voted on once per hour during the Public Voting Period.

Up to twelve (12) Prize-winning Nominees will be selected via scoring process comprised of (i) forty-nine percent (49%) based on the total number of votes received during the Public Voting Period; and (ii) fifty-one percent (51%) based on the judging criteria described above by a judging panel made up of three (3) Station employees. All decisions of the Panel shall be final. The Nominee with the highest score will be deemed the Prize-winning Nominee, upon confirmation of eligibility.

Entrants/Nominees do not need to listen to the Station or be present to win the prize.

Prize-winning Nominees will be announced on-air June 4, 2024 at 8:00AM ET. Prize-winning Nominees must confirm acceptance of prize by 5:00pm ET on June 28, 2024 or risk selection of an alternate Prize-winning Nominee (time permitting) based on the scores from all remaining Nominees.

Decisions of Station management with respect to the Contest are final.

CONDITIONS

a. The Station reserves the right to end any contest or amend these rules upon announcement on air and by publication at sunny1063.com.

For website contests: By use of the Station’s website and by entering this Contest, entrants agree to the Station’s Terms of Service Agreement and to the use of Personal Information as stated in the Privacy Policy located at www.sunny1063.com.

Copies of the written Contest rules and a list of all winners are available during regular business hours at the main studio of the Station, 20125 S. Tamiami Trl., Estero, FL 33928, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Station.

Sign me up for the Sunny 106.3 email newsletter!

You love Sunny 106.3, so join the VIP Club! Be the first to know about our awesome ticket giveaways, the latest updates with your favorite artists, and more delivered right to your inbox.

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Sunny 106.3