In mid-March, the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council hosted four women from the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project titled “Women Political Leaders.”
City Councilwoman Sherri Myers met the ladies at City Hall for a welcome to the area and a discussion on her experiences as a female elected official. Next, Pensacola News Journal Opinions Editor Tom Ninestine met with the IVLP group for a discussion on the coverage of politics and elections by a free and independent media. After lunch, Marny Needle of Impact 100 spoke with the group about the mission and structure of that organization.
The next morning, the visitors got hands on when they volunteered alongside locals at First United Methodist Church’s Serving the Hungry program. Mission and Outreach Coordinator Katie Ramsey guided the group through this volunteer activity and spoke about the mission of Serving the Hungry.
That afternoon, the IVLP group met with Marsha Travis, director of Residential Programs at FAVOR House, for a discussion and tour of the FAVOR House shelter. The visitors ended their afternoon at the Lakeview Center where Sandra Trainer of the Drug and Alcohol Adolescent Residential Treatment Center (DAART) gave an overview of this youth residential program designed to deal with substance abuse problems.
The visitors’ final day in Pensacola began with a community coffee discussion at Seville Quarter attended by Deborah Corbin, Jeanie Dumestre, and Katherine Romack. Next, the group joined Diane Mack and members of the Women’s Civic Forum for a reception and speaking opportunity as part of the fourth annual celebration of International Women’s Day in Northwest Florida. After the event, Ms. Mack spoke with the ladies about the role of the Women’s Civic Forum and her background as a former city councilwoman.
The visitors ended their time in Pensacola with a relaxing dolphin cruise on Pensacola Bay.
Thank you to all who contributed their time and energy to the success of this project.
