The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) was established by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in 1995. Dedicated to eliminating barriers to achievement for women through research, education, and communication, the OCCSW also recognizes and honors women who have made significant contributions improving the status of women and other citizens of Okaloosa County. Since its founding, the OCCSW has conducted research projects on women’s economic advancement and hosted annual educational workshops reaching thousands of local residents throughout the years. The organization comprises 15 members, including appointees from County Commissioners as well as representatives from various women’s organizations. In addition to its outreach and educational efforts, the OCCSW founded the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame, which annually honors outstanding county women from past to present in displays at the Okaloosa County Commission offices, the Niceville City Council Chambers, and the Crestview Courthouse.
Monthly OCCSW meetings are open to the public. Click here to view the OCCSW meeting schedule.
OCCSW Commissioners
Executive Committee
Kelley Fuller
2026 Chairman
OCCSW Commissioner
District 5 – At Large
Appointed by Commissioner Drew Palmer
Michelle Wright
Vice Chairman
OCCSW Commissioner
District 1 – At Large
Appointed by Commissioner Paul Mixon
Commissioners
Ayajah Hillsman-Sprague
OCCSW Commissioner
District 1
Appointed by Commissioner Paul Mixon
Barbara Slocumb
OCCSW Commissioner
District 2
Appointed by Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel
Cindy Frakes
OCCSW Commissioner
District 2 – At Large
Appointed by Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel
Jen Owczarski
OCCSW Commissioner
District 3
Appointed by Commissioner Sherri Cox
Michelle Heck
OCCSW Commissioner
District 3 – At Large
Appointed by Commissioner Sherri Cox
Christie Pratt
OCCSW Commissioner
District 4
Appointed by Commissioner
Trey Goodwin
Trisha Graham
OCCSW Commissioner
District 4 – At Large
Appointed by Commissioner
Trey Goodwin
Joy Makela
OCCSW Commissioner
District 5
Appointed by Commissioner Drew Palmer
Represented Women's Organizations
Carol Lee Byrd
100+ Women Who Care
Beth Madrigal
League of Women Voters of Okaloosa and Walton Counties
Wanjiku Jackson
Alternate-League of Women Voters of
Okaloosa and Walton Counties
Linda Evanchyk
FWB Women’s Club
Jeanne Rief
Historian
Victoria George
Parlimentarian
Mitzi Henley
National Association of Commissions for Women Representative
Florida Commission on the Status of Women
Past Chairs of the OCCSW
2025 – Diane Fraser
2024 – Tricia Graham
2023 – Sabina Zunguze
2022 – Erin Landmann
2021 – Mitzi Henley
2020 – Peggy Brockman
2019 – Peggy Brockman
2018 – Gail Waller
2017 – Mary Florence
2016 – Dawn Johnson
2015 – Amy McBride
2014 – Valerie McLaughlin
2013 – Shirley Piggott
2012 – Tammy McDaniel
2011 – Wanjiku Jackson
2010 Lois Hoyt
2009 – Jeanette Debs
2008 – Eddie Mae Owen
2007 – Judy Wiseman
2006 – Kelly Humphrey
2005 – Beatrice Love-Moore
2004 – Laura Creighton
2003 – Jean Dutton
2002 – Jeanne Rief
2001 – Judy Byrne-Riley
2000 – Valerie Wenzel
1999 – Sally Caldwell
1998 – Ellen Holt
1997 – Gayle Melich
1996 – Susan Myers
1995 – Cathy Wehling
History of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women
In 1994, Judy Byrne Riley and Cathy Wehling collaborated with Gayle Melich to secure approval from the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners for a resolution establishing the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW). At the time, Cathy served as president of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), while Judy was actively involved with the National Organization for Women and Shelter House. Commissioner Nick Nicholson officially announced the formation of the OCCSW at an Emerald Coast ABWA meeting in 1995.
OCCSW’s mission is to remove obstacles to women’s achievement through research, education, and communication. It seeks to acknowledge and honor women who have made significant contributions toward advancing the status of women and other citizens in Okaloosa County. The organization comprises 15 members, including appointees from County Commissioners as well as representatives from various women’s organizations.
In 1995, the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame was established, inducting seven women in its inaugural year. The Hall of Fame aims to recognize and celebrate women whose efforts have significantly improved the lives of women and citizens within the county. New honorees are inducted annually.
Furthermore, Women of Honor wall was initiated in 1997 and reinstated in 2004. Its purpose is to recognize distinguished Okaloosa County women who have been acknowledged by their families, friends, and peers for their dedication and volunteerism in service to others.”
History of the Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women was established by the United Nations in 1946 with the mandate to prepare recommendations and reports aimed at advancing women’s rights across political, economic, civil, social, and educational domains. In the United States, President John F. Kennedy created the President’s Commission on the Status of Women in 1961, appointing Eleanor Roosevelt as its chair.
Currently, numerous Commissions on the Status of Women exist throughout the country. These bodies have formed committees to address issues such as the Equal Rights Amendment, employment policies, and the provision of social services for women. In 1963, it was recommended that each U.S. state establish a similar commission. Subsequently, in 1964, Florida Governor Farris Bryant founded the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women to examine state laws and regulations affecting women in Florida, appointing commissioners from across the state to participate.
In 1982, the Governor’s Commission initiated the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame to acknowledge women whose contributions have significantly improved the lives of women and all citizens in Florida. In 1991, the Florida Legislature formally established the Florida Commission on the Status of Women under Governor Lawton Chiles. The Commission is dedicated to empowering women to reach their highest potential, removing obstacles to achievement, and recognizing women’s accomplishments. The Commission is a nonpartisan body, statutorily charged with studying the changing and developing roles of women in American society. Its members collaborate to research, analyze, and offer policy recommendations to the Governor, Cabinet, and Legislature concerning issues impacting women and families in Florida.