Port St. Lucie Business Women honored with proclamation from county
PSL Business Women President Jessica Parrish, Charter Member Lee Hicks, County Commissioner and Chair Sean Mitchell, Vice President Devon Dwyer, Patricia Garcia King, Esperanza Morales
The Port St. Lucie Business Women received a proclamation from St. Lucie County declaring Sept. 22 as “American Business Women’s Day.” At their Sept. 20 meeting, the county recognized the Port St. Lucie Business Women, which was the first professional women’s organization in this area, for its outstanding community service efforts and for its economic and civic impact on the local community.
PSL Business Women President Jessica Parrish came to the podium to accept the proclamation. “American Business Women’s Day was recognized in 1983 and in 1986 by Congressional resolution, with a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan,” said Parrish. “It honors the increasing role that women have in the world of business, as well as their accomplishments nationally.”
Parrish pointed out that women own 40 percent of small businesses in the United States and that women launch more than 1,200 new businesses every day.
Parrish continued, “PSL Business Women continue serving our community with action through leadership. They inspire and create additional opportunities through education and career development for their members and mentoring opportunities for young women. Their commitment extends over more than four decades.”
The county proclamation recognizes numerous contributions, including its partnership with Indian River State College which has benefitted more than 70 local women through the award of $130,500 in scholarships to continue their education; distributing more than $200,000 in grants to local non-profit agencies serving women and children; and supporting the community through participation in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, “Day of Caring” for Treasure Coast Food Bank, and swinging hammers and painting walls for Habitat for Humanity and Pace Center for Girls.
Charter member Lee Hicks also came to the podium. She noted that she has lived in Port St. Lucie for almost 49 years. Hicks praised the camaraderie and commitment of the women who have been involved in the organization. She mentioned that Strelsa Schreiber, an author and former columnist with the Port St. Lucie Tribune who got Hicks to join, was truly the backbone of the PSL Business Women. “It’s a wonderful organization,” said Hicks, “and we’ve done a lot for Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County. And I want to thank all of the County Commissioners for also supporting us.”
The Port St. Lucie Business Women is a 42-year-old, 501 (c) (6) non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting the interests of businesswomen and serving our community effectively. For more information, visit PSLBW.com. Follow their Facebook page for updates about events, programs and community involvement.