Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Friday announced the selection of three exemplary individuals for induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame: Belle Yates Bear, Mary Brickell, and Dotti Groover-Skipper.
The Governor makes these selections annually based on recommendations from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, honoring women who have made significant contributions to the state.
The Florida Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes women who have impacted life in Florida through their achievements and community involvement. This year’s inductees represent diverse fields, from community development and philanthropy to pioneering urban expansion and combating human trafficking.
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Belle Yates Bear is recognized for her profound impact on Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. As a Principal of the Bear Family Foundation and a dedicated community servant, she was a founding member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a group providing substantial grants to local non-profits. Bear has held numerous leadership roles in organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, the YMCA of Northwest Florida, and the Junior League of Pensacola.
She also founded the Program for the Advancement of Learning and Success (PALS) at Pensacola State College, offering job training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her extensive service has earned her accolades such as the Florida Senate Presidential Medal and the Pensacola Chamber’s Pioneer Award.
Mary Brickell, often celebrated as the “Mother of Miami,” is a foundational figure in the city’s history. Arriving in South Florida in 1871, she and her husband acquired over 2,000 acres and were instrumental in establishing the area’s first post office, bank, and general store.
During the 1873 typhoid outbreak, the Brickells opened their home as a hospital. Mary Brickell, alongside Julia Tuttle, played a crucial role in bringing Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway to the area by selling land, a move vital to Miami’s growth. Her vision and generosity were central to the early development of one of Florida’s most iconic cities.
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Dotti Groover-Skipper is a leading advocate in the fight against human trafficking. She currently serves as the Anti-Trafficking Director at The NOMORE Foundation and chairs the SAFE Alliance of Tampa Bay Board of Directors. Groover-Skipper has held appointments on the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and served on the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council and Hillsborough County commissions focused on the status of women and human trafficking.
Honored with the 2024 Women Who Win Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sheriff Chad Chronister, she also founded the HeartDance Foundation, supporting individuals healing from exploitation and trauma. Her expertise has been instrumental in driving anti-human trafficking policy change at both state and national levels.
The induction of Belle Yates Bear, Mary Brickell, and Dotti Groover-Skipper into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame celebrates their significant and lasting contributions to the state and its residents.
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