August 13, 2020
By: Staff Report
LAKELAND, Fla. – Minority Leader of the Florida Senate, Arthenia Joyner, has been named a Top-10 finalist in the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.
Joyner was born in Lakeland Florida, and attended Florida A&M University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1964. She later attended the Florida A&M University College of Law, graduating with her Juris Doctor in 1968.
Joyner was a founding partner in the law firm of Stewart, Joyner, and Jordan-Holmes, and was the first black female attorney in Polk County and Hillsborough County. From 1984 to 1985, she served as the President of the National Bar Association.
As is customary, the Governor will select up to three women for induction into the Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors women who, through their works and lives, have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and for all citizens of the state of Florida.
The Commission has determined that the following nominees exemplify the great diversity of women’s contributions to Florida life: Alice Scott Abbott, formerly of Bunnell; Florence Alexander, Ph.D. of Longwood; Samira Beckwith of Fort Myers; Jane Castor of Tampa; Nancy Hogshead-Makar of Jacksonville; May Mann Jennings, formerly of Brooksville; Senator Arthenia Joyner of Tampa; Alma Lee Loy, formerly of Vero Beach; Audrey Schiebler, formerly of Gainesville; and E. Thelma Waters of Indiantown.
“The Florida Commission on the Status of Women, in the true spirit of celebration, is proud to honor these outstanding women who have had such a meaningful impact on our state and its history,” said Commission Chair Rita Barreto Craig. “Each year it is more difficult to choose ten finalists to send to the Governor because of the many superb nominations we receive.” This year marks the thirty-eighth year of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees will be honored at a special ceremony on November 18.
“The Florida Women’s Hall of Fame was created in 1982 to honor women who, through their lives and efforts, made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and all Florida citizens,” said Commissioner Maruchi Azorin, Florida Women’s Hall of Fame Chair. “They are pioneers who have broken down barriers, created new opportunities, and championed issues to better Florida and its people. Only three of these trailblazing women will join their sisters and be immortalized on an honorary wall in the halls of the Florida Capitol.”
You can watch the full announcement here:
Every year, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women accepts nominations for both historic and contemporary Florida women to the Hall. For updates and additional information, please visit www.fcsw.net.