Celebrating Florida’s Women of Achievement Iran Issa Khan, Jane Abess, Honoree Rosa Sugranes
In 1992 South Florida photographer Scherley Busch founded Florida Women of Achievement to create an awareness of women’s accomplishments and contributions and to bring together Florida’s ethnic and cultural diversity. She began with a portrait exhibit of eleven outstanding Florida women, including the legendary environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Fourteen years and 46 images later, the exhibit continues to grow with powerful portraits of Florida’s women pioneers, visionaries and pacesetters. The Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables hosted the 14th annual Florida Women of Achievement documentary exhibition and luncheon honoring the 2005 inductees. These include well known South Florida philanthropist B. Carlin, three of the world’s top physician-scientists in the field of HIV/AIDS, University of Miami Doctors Margaret Fischl, Mary Jo O’Sullivan and Gwendolyn Scott, and entrepreneur and community leader Rosa Sugranes, owner of Iberia Tiles. The honorees, their friends and supporters of FWA enjoyed a champagne reception as they toured the exhibition and lunch and informal modeling at the Villagio Restaurant in Merrick Park’s garden level. Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, a 1994 honoree, serves as honorary chair, and all proceeds benefit Florida Women of Achievement scholarships and programs.
