OCCSW Commissioner receives “Above and Beyond” Award from FWB Chamber

Press Release: Feb. 7, 2024

Contact: Jeanne Rief, Historian OCCSW

Mitzi Henley, past chair of Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women, received an Above and Beyond award at the Fort Walton Beach Chamber’s First Friday breakfast on Friday, Feb. 2. Mitzi was recognized because she was named the Community Advocate of the Year by the State of Florida in 2023. She spearheaded the effort of the OCCSW to sponsor a Human Trafficking Summit that was attended by over 50 women in the area. The OCCSW, in partnership with Okaloosa County, has placed stickers with information about how to get help in the restroom stalls at the Destin-FWB airport. More stickers are available to purchase from the OCCSW.

Attorney General Ashley Moody launched the Human Trafficking Summit to bring together people who share a common goal—eradicating human trafficking. She said, “Our annual summit brings together allies in the fight to end human trafficking. Thousands join from across the country to hear from experts in this field and to learn how to push back against this atrocious crime in their communities.”

As part of the summit, Attorney General Moody, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice honored advocates and officials for working to fight and end human trafficking. Mitzi was recognized as Community Advocate of the Year, along with six others in various categories.

You can attend the state of Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit by visiting HumanTraffickingSummit.com. Content will remain accessible through March 2024.