After its formation in 1995, the OCCSW founded the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame to honor the women of Okaloosa County – past and present – whose contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, the humanities, philanthropy and science, have been of great value to our community’s development. Each year’s inductees are honored on a wall in the Okaloosa County Administrative Offices in Shalimar, Crestview and Niceville, FL.
The Hall is a monument to exceptional women in our county’s history.
Pam Woodall
Business Award
Pam Woodall is President of Beach Community Mortgage and a true leader in the lending industry and our community. Ted Corcoran, Executive Director of the Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber says there are a few very special leaders in our community that make a true impact to enrich our community and Pam Woodall is one of those leaders. Pam was raised in a military family and moved to Okaloosa County in 1976. She has been making an impact for 42 years. Pam began her career in the mortgage industry with Barnet Bank, then Access Mortgage before joining the team at Beach. Pam has made a tremendous contribution to grow the banking and mortgage business in our area, not only in sales volume but, especially in training and educating in areas of regulatory requirements. The mortgage sales growth in turn has had a multiplying affect, to create jobs and homes and more businesses, that improve the quality of life for thousands. She has dedicated her energy to mentoring other women to build a successful career in the mortgage industry. Pam motivates others to strive to be the best they can be. Pam Woodall has dedicated herself to many local Women’s Professional organizations, she is a super star in the Greater FWB Chamber, has served as an Honorary Commander at Eglin AFB and Duke Field, BOD of the Emerald Coast Foundation, Arc, and Impact 100 to name a few. Recently, she was a founding member of the FWB Medical Women’s Advisory Council and is an active member of the FWB Kiwanis Club. She has won many awards including the chambers ABOVE AND BEYOUND Award, and ABWA’s Associate Protégé Award. She loves her community and has strived to be a leader and serve where she is needed. Pam is a wife, mother, grandmother and a true professional.
Carolyn Ketchel
Contemporary Award
As a licensed clinical social worker, Carolyn serves as a family counselor, home health social worker, medical social worker, and mental health expert in the court system. As the regional director of Catholic Charities’ Fort Walton Beach office, she founded the largest food pantry in Okaloosa County. Carolyn worked closely with organizations to identify and serve the homeless and others in need. As a member of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, Carolyn spearheaded the expansion of Miss Ruth’s Farmers Market, enabling small farmers to sell their fresh produce. Low-income families, can use food stamps to purchase fresh, healthy produce. As a radio talk show host, Carolyn provides invaluable publicity to charitable organizations that serve the County, while identifying resources to those in need. Carolyn’s tireless volunteerism extends to many local service organizations, including the YMCA, The Foundation for Autistic Children, the policy committee for Catholic schools in the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese, the Boy Scouts, and the Children’s Home Society. She is regent of the Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and an active volunteer at St. Mary Catholic Church. Carolyn has also served as the chairman of the St. Mary School Board. She served on Humana Hospital’s Women’s Health Education Advisory Committee, the Rhonda Koon Home for Women and the board of directors for the Air Force Enlisted Village. During her tenure at Catholic Charities, she counseled and provided emergency assistance to hundreds of single mothers and other women in need. As an active and sustaining member of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast, she is involved in numerous projects assisting women and children.
Gayle Norgaard
Carolyn Spencer Humanitarian Award
Gayle Norgaard has reached a stage in her life when most people take a well-deserved rest from hard work. But Norgaard, a local Relay for Life pioneer, Vietnam veteran, cancer survivor, and super community volunteer isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Norgaard received her commission in 1966, serving as a military nurse for 28 years. The Air Force brought her to Okaloosa County in 1992. She retired as a lieutenant colonel and worked at local doctors’ offices and at Emerald Coast Hospice, where she cared for people nearing the end of their lives. She served as a passionate advocate for cancer awareness. She was active in raising awareness about colon cancer. In 1993, Norgaard helped bring the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser to Okaloosa County, serving as the chairman of the first Relay in Fort Walton Beach. She went on to help organize similar events in Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and Niceville. Gayle is active with the Niceville Kiwanis Club and is involved in several ministries at her church. She stays connected to nursing through the Society of Air Force Nurses and the Health and Wellness Committee at the Niceville Chamber of Commerce. Gayle was diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago. She is a zealous anti-smoking advocate who served on a committee that advocated for legislation banning smoking in restaurants and other public places. She speaks at local high schools. Norgaard’s fight against cancer has touched the lives of thousands of Okaloosa County residents whose lives have been impacted by the disease. She is always ready to lend a helping hand to newly diagnosed patients, providing the kind of support only a fellow cancer survivor can understand. Norgaard is a very deserving candidate for the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Vivian Green
Education Award
Dr. Vivian Green received her elementary and secondary education attending Catholic schools in Miami, Florida. She later attended Florida A &M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida. Upon completion of advanced studies in Organizational Leadership at the University of California She matriculated at Nova Southern University where she was awarded her doctorate in Administration & Educational Leadership. A woman of several “firsts”. In 1997, she became the first African American principal to receive an “A” School Grade. In 2001, she became the first African American principal hired at the secondary level since segregation in Okaloosa County. She is listed as Who’s Who in American Education according to A Marquis’s 1994-1995 publication, 4th Edition. Awarded Okaloosa County Distinguished Black Educator, 1990 & 1991. Dr. Green established the first public school-based preschool program, parenting and family literacy program in Okaloosa County. Dr. Green is active in her church, as an elected officer and Service Commission Chair of both the St. Mary Parish Council of Catholic Women and the West Central Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. As a Service Commission Chair Dr. Green engages women from neighboring communities. In 2008, Dr. Green received inspiration from a presentation she heard entitled “Little Dresses of Africa”. She took on the mission to lead this project for women of St. Mary Council of Catholic Women.