Dr. Marisol Capellan, Ed.D. Public speaker South Miami
“My grandmother,” Marisol Capellan said. “She inspired me so much, because I grew up in so much poverty in the [Dominican Republic] and she always told me it was very important to get an education. It impacted me so much. A historic woman would be [education activist] Malala [Yousafzai]. She was very brave, and she advocates for education. It’s related to my values.”
Marie Korenstein President, Zonta Club of Miami Lakes Miami Lakes
“I think the Navy and Air Force pilots, I’m so mesmerized by them and what they achieved coming up in a man’s world,” Marie Korenstein said. “They just flew over the Super Bowl, and the women who have come through [previously] to get to that point. [The Zontas] have [JetBlue pilot] Kimberly Wood who lectures for us."
Octavia Williams Principal, American Adult Education Center Miami Gardens
“My professors in college Dr. [Mildred] Berry and Ms. Brown at Florida Memorial University,” Octavia Williams said. “[Ms. Brown] taught us discipline and education and you had to be serious about your craft and she inspired me. Since I’ve been in education, Lisa Daniel was one of my former principals, and Dr. Angela Thompson Dupree, who was also one of my former principals. What they both taught me is that you can be a strong woman in education. You can be strong but kind."
Mimi Pink Vice President for Development The Education Fund Hollywood
“For someone who is living today, my boss, Linda Lecht,” Mimi Pink said. “[She] is kind, tenacious and smart. From the recent past, [late Supreme Court Justice] Ruth Bader Ginsburg and of course [current Supreme Court Justice from Miami] Ketanji Brown Jackson."
Suliani van der Biezen Special Programs Manager, The Education Fund Miami
“[Miami-Dade County] Mayor [Daniella] Levine Cava, because she’s [leading] one of the biggest counties, she’s able to break boundaries and be a woman leader in our community,” Suliani Van Der Biezen said.
“[I think] she’s doing a good job and it’s inspirational.”