In light of this week’s WomenFest celebration here in the Florida Keys, we figured we’d take a break from our routine and offensive humor, and instead compile a Top 10 from our team members here at the Keys Weekly and Oversea Media Group. We asked our colleagues in our three Keyswide offices about some of the women they consider most influential — aside from our moms, as they get their own tributes every May. Here’s a list of favorite women from your friends at Oversea Media Group and the Keys Weekly, the Florida Keys’ only locally owned news provider. #localmediamatters
We bring you…
Our Top 11 Favorite & Influential Women
Of course my wife, mother, aunt and immediate family members are at the top of my list of women who inspire me. But I’m blown away by my 5-year-old stepdaughter, Dylan, on a daily basis. I’ve never met a more tenacious, brilliant, fearless and creative little woman. Buckle up, world, she’s just getting started. — Britt Myers: partner, Keys Weekly Media & OMG
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She did a lot for equality in the workplace and breaking barriers for women, stood by her principles and could still hold a 30 second plank at 86. Come on, that’s badass. — Patti Childress, Keys Weekly business development officer
Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State. I have always admired and respected her. Her speeches were inspiring and uplifting. She has such a presence, and even now, as an American diplomat and political scientist who is the current director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. I follow her on Facebook. — Char Hruska, Keys Weekly Media Group executive administrator
After my own remarkably strong and equally sensitive mom, Mary Ann Bolen, I have to say
Michelle Obama — because “when they go low, we go high.” The woman has class, intelligence, a biting wit and triceps I’d kill for. Favorite quote: “I’ve seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are.” — Mandy Miles, Key West Weekly editor
Of course my mom, but first that came to mind, but all of the women at Keys Weekly and OMG have been the most influential in my life at this point … learning to be a powerhouse in this industry and being a great example of what strong women in leadership roles look like.” —
Maison Benitez, Overseas Media Group, social media & digital strategist
Emalyn Mercer, my fairy godmother. Her main goal was to make someone’s day better every single day of her life. ‘Steph, people will always remember how you made them feel,’ she’d say.
Oh, and she threw a surprise wedding for her husband, was a badass rascal who drove her beetle to the top of “mount trashmore”, was kind, generous, always let you know she had bail money for her crazy ideas and never backed down where her principles were concerned. — Stephanie Mitchell, Keys Weekly creative director
Mine is the lovely woman with the Euro accent at the Dunkin Donuts drive-up, who always makes sure I’m not handed the wrong coffee. I’m pretty sure she would be smiling and laughing even if the building were on fire. I didn’t know anyone besides my dog could be this happy to see me. — Marla Orlowski, Overseas Media Group web designer/developer
“My third grade teacher, Mrs. Whigham, is to this day the greatest influence/inspiration for my ability as a writer. Her passion for writing and ability to teach her students how to write creatively and effectively is what gave me the tools to excel in the subject. I honestly don’t know if I would be an editor today without her. — Alex Rickert, Marathon Weekly editor
So many inspirational women in my life starting with my Mom, Debbie, and sisters Dana and Nicole, for so many reasons, but if choosing outside the box, let’s go with Kathryn Bigelow, the first female director to win an Oscar. She also beat her ex-husband for the same award in the same year. It was James Cameron, perhaps you’ve heard of him. Now that’s pretty badass. — Annie Briening, COO, Overseas Media Group
I’ve been blessed to have been and still be surrounded by amazing women throughout my life, personally and professionally, but my grandma Raffie Miranda is always at the top of my most inspiring list. She was 70 years old when I joined the Miranda family and she is included in so many childhood memories. She was widowed, lived alone, didn’t drive and worked until she was 88 when her body just couldn’t do it any more. In 1918, she worked in a factory making shoes and led fitness classes. She raised five children, three of them during the Great Depression, which certainly led to living a long frugal life. Fondest memories include filing S&H Green Stamps sheets (look it up), making homemade pizza dough and being together on our typically disastrous family vacations. She taught me how to cook like an Italian and supported me in every non-traditional family route I took in life. I only had her in my life for my first 20 years but she remains in my heart and I named my daughter after her. — Jill Miranda Baker, Keys Weekly account executive
I would totally say my mom, but in this case I will say Nola Acker. She’s what I would like to call my sister from another mister. While I do have to get over the fact she’s a Buckeye fan, her energy is unparalleled, (I believe she has espresso constantly running through her veins) and her desire to give back to the community has inspired me in many ways. — Jim McCarthy, Upper Keys Weekly editor
“Besides my mother and grandmother, Lady Gaga (Mother Monster) has been the most influential woman in my life. Her authenticity is seen in everything she does, and like a real-life superhero, she has used her powerful voice for good. She is unapologetic for her raw emotion, artistic perspective, and humanitarianism and with this has empowered millions. ‘Baby, you were born this way.’” — Chanice Dos Santos, digital director
