Westcoast’s Women Of Light Celebrated

BY EDNA SHERRELL

Three powerful and purposeful women were celebrated during the 35th Annual Westcoast Women of Light Luncheon on Saturday, October 26th. Family and friends joined 2019 Women of Light honorees, former educator Yvonne Carnegie Brown, journalist and historian Vickie J. Oldham and Manatee Cares CEO, Mrs. Virginia Kasdan. Guest speaker was Tamara Shamburger, chairwoman of the Hillsborough County School Board. The awards luncheon has been sponsored by the Westcoast Center Sarasota since 1984 and has honored over 100 women through the years.

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Sarasota NAACP, Mrs. Brown was awarded the “Shining Apple” award for decades of progressive work in Sarasota County schools. She held positions in the classroom and in program administration during her tenure.

Ms. Oldham was recognized her groundbreaking work on the historical “Newtown Alive” project which chronicles the history of Overtown and Newtown through historical markers, trolley tours, oral histories and a podcast. She is currently CEO for the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, the entity bringing a museum and cultural center to the Newtown community.

Mrs. Kasdan, RN MPH is executive director of We Care Manatee, an organization serving Manatee County residents through timely health care services, education, and community outreach. She is responsible for coordinating millions of dollars in free health care for Manatee County residents. Mrs. Kasdan is also currently licensed to provide insurance in the state of Florida.

The luncheon is the signature event of the three-day Westcoast Women’s Conference, beginning with a Friday evening gathering and culminating with Sunday morning service. Rev. Henry Porter II is pastor of the Westcoast Center-Sarasota. Dr. Henry L. Porter is founder.