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Osceola County named its 10th installment of Woman Warriors, females who’ve made great contributions to the community, Monday. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON
Since 2015, when County Commission Viviana Janer spearheaded the exercise, Osceola County has annually named a group of “Woman Warriors”— those known for their positive contributions to the community.
In honor of Women’s History Month—just prior to the ceremony the board accepted a proclamation for Women’s History Month—each of the five county commissioners nominated a Warrior. The 10th edition of Woman Warriors were announced at Monday’s meeting:
Vetnah Monessar (nominated by District 1, Peggy Choudhry): founder and CEO of the MASA Fund, a non-profit empowering Muslim, Arab, and AAPI communities by providing affordable housing, financial literacy, and support services, addressing barriers such as income disparities, education, affordable housing availability, transportation access, and mental health concerns.
“Vetnah’s commitment to equality extends far beyond her non-profit work,” Choudhry said. “Her advocacy for social justice has earned her recognition and awards. Vetnah’s journey is one of profound courage. As a mom, community leader and boss lady, her commitment helps build bridges to create lasting change.”
Yuberky Almonte (District 2, Janer), currently the Chief of the Osceola County Corrections Department where she manages the Osceola County Jail, Community Corrections, and County Building Security operations. In 2003, she made the leap of becoming a Certified Corrections Officer with the Department and then steadily rose through the ranks.
“For all these reasons, I can’t think of a better person to be named a Woman Warrior,” Janer said. “It is her passion and kindred sprit for working in the Jail, that I saw from the first time I met her."
Angela Eady (District 3, Brandon Arrington), Kissimmee City Commissioner and lifelong Osceola resident, Eady continues to advocate for veteran assistance, affordable housing, public safety, and bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement. Her belief in equality for all fuels her ongoing fight for equal rights, ensuring her legacy as an advocate and leader in Osceola County.
“What I do, I do because that’s the joy in my heart,” said Eady, the only of the honorees to speak. “I’m a true believer that, when I die, I’m not taking my legacy to the grave, I want to leave it here so others can run with it and do the same as I do. We all have a duty to plant a seed for the generations who follow us.”
Twis Lizasuain (District 4, Cheryl Grieb): Currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Osceola County Association of REALTORS, Osceola County’s largest professional trade association, she also has nearly 30 years of communications service, formerly serving as Public Affairs Director for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Public and Media Relations Director for the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office, and Public Information Officer for the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners. She is also active on the boards of local non-profits.
“Her experience and expertise have been invaluable in elevating the quality of customer service provided to the Association’s over 5,000 members and has added to the Association’s success,” Grieb said.
Pam Plylar (District 5, Ricky Booth): A lifelong resident of Osceola County, she has devoted her life and career to serving her hometown. Plylar actively engaged with the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show (KVLS) and Osceola County Fair, and with the Harmony Longhorn FFA Ag Alumni Committee, advocates for the advancement of women in agriculture and nurturing future agricultural leaders.
“My kids wouldn’t participate in all the fair things they do without Pam’s help,” Booth said. “She’s helped hundreds of families."
