City of Port St. Lucie Recognizes Business Women

PSLBW Charter Member Lee Hicks, PSLBW President Donna DeMarchi, PSLBW Treasurer and City Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan, PSLBW Founding Member Charlotte DeVane

The Port St. Lucie Business Women (PSLBW.com) received a proclamation from the City of Port St. Lucie in recognition of National Women’s Small Business Month and the organization’s 40-year commitment to community action, service and leadership at the City Council meeting on October 25. Port St. Lucie Business Women President Donna DeMarchi accepted the Proclamation from Business Women member and City Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan.

The Proclamation was read by Councilwoman Morgan to Business Women members and their guests at their Pathway Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held in front of City Hall the next day. Since its inception in 1980, the Port St. Lucie Business Women has operated as an independent organization, one that has grown strong and evolved into a professional women’s organization representing a variety of businesses and levels of management, government officials and entrepreneurs. “Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Business Women stayed true to its focus on meeting community needs through their engraved brick pathway project -- the brainchild of Ruby Jubilee committee chair Diane Gallagher,” said DeMarchi at the Dedication. Yellowstone Landscape (yellowstonelandscape.com) donated the design, materials and labor to install the brick paver pathway. The pathway leads to a live oak tree planted in 2015 for the organization’s 35^th anniversary.

All proceeds from the engraved brick pathway project goes towards Scholarship awards and Community Action & Grants. Port St. Lucie Business Women supporters and brick purchasers who attended the ceremony included Sean Mitchell, District 2 and Vice-Chair, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners; Julia Keenan, Director of Development and Sherri Monds, Development Coordinator/Scholarships, IRSC Foundation; St. Lucie County Property Appraiser and Business Women member Michelle Franklin; Founder and first President of Port St. Lucie Business Women Charlotte DeVane; Greg Childress, owner of G. Alan’s Fine Jewelry & Coin; and many small business owners and nonprofit representatives, as well as Port St. Lucie Business Women members.

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. The Port St. Lucie Business Women stands as a strong example and the positive impact they make within their community. “Women in business provide revenue to their community and support local organizations, schools and community projects,” said Business Women member Diane Gallagher, chair of the History and 40^th Anniversary Committee. “They inspire and create opportunities and mentorships for other women and young girls to succeed,” she added.

The Port St. Lucie Business Women’s partnership with Indian River State College has benefitted 74 local women through the award of $130,500 in scholarships. The Business Women recognize the importance of continuing education to further professional and career development pathways.

With funds raised from their annual Fashion Show – a sell-out event which is the talk of the town -- more than $200,000 in grants to local non-profit agencies serving women and children have been awarded. In 2020, the Port St. Lucie Business Women awarded their highest number of grants, further demonstrating their commitment to their community and dedication to fulfilling the mission of the organization, even during challenging times.

The Port St. Lucie Business Women invites the community to be part of Phase II of its brick pathway project to continue assuring the futures of women attending Indian River State College and providing much-needed funding to local non-profit agencies serving women and children. You may purchase an engraved brick to honor a family member or friend, memorialize someone special, celebrate a special event or showcase a business in front of City Hall. Each personalized brick becomes a lasting tribute that will be seen and remembered by visitors, guests and members of our community.

Each engraved brick costs $100. All proceeds fund Scholarships and Community Action & Grants. To order, go to PSLBW.com and click on the “Buy A Brick” tab, or go to https://brickmarkersusa.com/donors/pslb.html. For more information, contact Diane Gallagher at (772) 260-2097 or by email at dsgdesigns@comcast.net.

The Port St. Lucie Business Women is a 41-year-old, 501 (c) (6) non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting the interests of businesswomen and serving our community. For more information, visit www.pslbw.com. Follow their Facebook page for updates about events, programs, and community involvement.