In honor of Women’s History Month, Osceola County recognized five women for their positive contributions to the community on Monday, April 19.
“We celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees because they lead by example and action. During a time of pandemic, this leadership is even more important than ever,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “Our community is blessed to have such a forthright group of role models to lead, inspire and empower us. All five women have dedicated their efforts to improving Osceola County and are inspirational role models. We are better for their concern, commitment and advocacy.”
The impetus for the award started seven years ago after Vice Chairwoman Viviana Janer was elected to the County Commission. Each commissioner selects a nominee for the award. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible to hand out the award, last year. Commissioners, therefore opted to recognize last year’s recipients Monday.
This year’s Woman Warrior honorees include:
•Eleanor Salvucci, Community Volunteer: Salvucci is active in her church and in her Homeowners Association, writing monthly articles for the community newsletter. She has been the Secretary for the local district of the Federation of Manufactured Homes of Florida and has assisted in trips to Tallahassee to present legislation, volunteered for local arts organizations, and coordinated trips for community residents.
•Erika Booth, School librarian at Canoe Creek K-8: Erika Booth is a fifth generation Osceola County native, a wife and a mother of three. She is passionate about her faith, volunteering and giving back to our younger generation with a 20-year history in education. She is a public school educator – working with middle school students with disabilities in literacy and writing. She has been a school librarian, speech-language pathologist and an elementary and middle school teacher. Erika was Osceola County School District Teacher of the Year for both Harmony Community School and Hickory Tree Elementary.
•Martha Cusimano, Community Volunteer: Martha moved to Central Florida from Pennsylvania after a career that spanned academia, health care, the auto industry and foundation work. In retirement, she found time to nourish a life-long passion for community service. She and husband, Jim, helped organize the food pantry at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church that provides food to nearly 30,000 food insecure people annually. They founded DUO: Do Unto Others, an initiative with Solivita neighbors, which has raised over $260,000 for the pantry -- and served on the board of Habitat for Humanity Osceola for eight years.
•Tammy Douglass, Help Now: Tammy has been the executive director of Help Now of Osceola since 2006. Her vision has successfully guided the agency’s mission, growth and reach by more than 200% with numerous programs to help survivors of domestic violence and their children find safety. In addition to offering safe shelter, Help Now hosts an array of services that touch over 10,000 Osceola residents each year such as a court advocacy program, free legal representation for survivors filing for injunctions, an economic empowerment project, child welfare advocacy project and prevention education for children.
•Larisa Roderick, Community Volunteer: Roderick is an avid historian who has spent the last decade making it her mission to ensure service members laid to rest at St. Cloud’s Mount Peace Cemetery are buried with the proper recognition. She has devoted her time and efforts to not only research and identify veterans buried at Mount Peace but also to honor their service. Roderick has been able to identify more than 60 veterans and has applied and received headstones for veterans who served during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I and World War II.
