Leah was born in Pensacola, Florida, and her family moved to Bradenton only a few weeks later. Leah’s parents, Mike and Sherry Knowles, are both retired Manatee County teachers. At a young age, her parents taught her the importance of a good education, to always treat people with kindness, and when you help others
Amy Wick Mavis changes girl’s lives every single day… as the Executive Director of PACE Center for Girls of Manatee County for the past 20 years Amy’s mission has been to help girls find their place, find their voice and achieve their potential. PACE provides gender–responsive and trauma-informed programming and PACE manatee has served
Pat Roberts is a woman of many talents but the one that invigorates her most is volunteering. Her experiences are diverse but her activism is fueled by a desire to help women improve their lives. Born in a small rural city, she married young, became a single mom, worked, volunteered at church, went back
Marilyn Howard – Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation is a Wonder Woman of our community and we are certain that many will agree! A graduate of Indiana University, Marilyn was appointed Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation at its formation in 1998 and has served continuously in that role. Under her
The penultimate Wonder Woman in our series of 25 is Dr. Judith Sedgeman, a teacher, mentor, and consultant. Judy is a life long learner, teacher, and mentor, graduating from Wellesley College with a BA in English and Philosophy in 1964 she went onto Trinity College – Hartford for her Masters in English, returning to
