Osceola County names its ‘Women Warriors’

In honor of Women’s History Month, Osceola County has, since 2015, annually chosen a group of women who have lent their time, talents, determination, wisdom and compassion in making a difference in the local community.

“It’s important to honor our local warriors, women who are intent on bringing positive change to Osceola County,” County Commission Chair Viviana Janer said.

Each County Commissioner selects a nominee each year. This year’s nominees are:

Gwenn Paracha (nominated by District 1, Peggy Choudhry): A Kissimmee resident since her children were born, Paracha spent three decades in the nursing and medical field.

“It’s thanks to people like Gwen who got me involved in our local community’s HOA, long before I became a commissioner,” Choudhry said.

Doreen Edwards-Barker (District 2, Janer): the Jamaica native moved to the area in 2002, and is locally active as an ordained minister and a servant for the area’s homeless or those who have needs. Joining her husband Aldwin’s passion for serving the homeless, they’ve been active in church outreach programs that provided hot meals, haircuts, medical screenings, clothing, and toiletries; and Clarita’s House, a transition house near their church which she operated out of house she bought for the purpose. 

“She has worked tirelessly in our (U.S. Highway) 192 corridor,” Janer said.

Peggy Rivers (District 3, Arrington): the Mississippi native came to Kissimmee after graduation, raised five children, and embarked on a 35-year career in Osceola County’s school system as a teacher’s aide. She’s been a dedicated election worker for Osceola County, earning rave reviews as the Number 1 recruiter of election workers. Without her, Osceola would have struggled to have enough election workers for the 2022 election cycle,” Arrington said. “Peggy gets positive reviews, and many clerks request her services. Her tireless work and dedication help make the election process run smoothly.

Her work recruiting for Osceola County’s NAACP chapter is so tireless, the chapter has waived her membership thanks to the members she continuously enlists.

Dr. Tara Gaston (District 4, Cheryl Grieb): A veterinarian with own equine practice in St. Cloud, often providing services at times when there is no fulltime animal veterinarian specializing in equines, and has testified on behalf of the county in animal cruelty court cases.

“Dr. Gaston is very easy to work with and is always teaching staff more about horses. She uses every interaction as an opportunity to expand our knowledge and help us provide the best care possible to the animals in our charge. We are extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful and compassionate veterinarian in our community,” Grieb said.

Debbie Henderson (District 5, Ricky Booth): An Osceola resident since 1981, she’s known around St. Cloud Little League, one of the largest such organizations in the Southeast U.S., as “the baseball mom.” She’s served as roles as its commissioner, treasurer and president for nearly 20 years.

“She gives heart and soul to the program and puts the league and its needs before everything in her life,” Booth said. “It is her personal objective to create a safe place for the kids in our community to play and she never wavers from her commitment. “I coached in St. Cloud Little League for 10 years, and can say the growth and success of our program could not have occurred without Debbie.”