Ocalan among women honored at state level

Tamela Rendleman left, with Spirit of Community award recipient Darnitha Johnson, at the June 28 ceremony held by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. [Jesse Romimora]

An Ocala woman was one of 11 women recognized statewide or their community service achievements and dubbed “Sheros” by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) in an awards ceremony in Orlando last month.

Darnitha (Gaskin) Johnson received the 2022 Spirit of Community award for her “tireless work toward bettering the lives of women and families,” according to a post on the FCSW Facebook page.

The award was presented during a ceremony at the Delaney Hotel on June 28.

“I’m still in shock to be nominated as one of the women in Florida (to be recognized),” Johnson stated in a text just after she received the award.

She called the award “unbelievable” and said that a certification from Florida Atlantic University related to the business college, which was received about the same time as the FCSW award was the realization of several “goals.”

In a statement connected to the awards, Christina Omran, director of the FCSW, referred to the honorees as women who have served as “positive role models for, and improved the lives of, women and families in their communities.”

“Each day these extraordinary Floridians mentor children, advocate for women and families in need, empower and inspire our youth, volunteer their time, efforts, and other resources going above and beyond to serve and enhance the lives of their fellow Floridians,” Omran stated.

According to the award citation, Johnson, herself once a victim of domestic violence, serves as a community engagement specialist with a local domestic violence and sexual assault center. She has “made it her mission” to help battered women “start over” and her work with the shelter includes raising awareness and fund raising for the facility.

Johnson also helps the local homeless community with food and blankets, and has aided children with clothing and school supplies, and single mothers and community activists against gun violence, according to the citation.

Much of Johnson’s outreach has been accomplished through her Royal Queens Women’s Empowerment, Inc. organization, which she started in 2015. The organization’s Facebook page states, “hope is where the heart is” and the group’s team works through “advocacy and outreach.”

Johnson was joined at the Orlando ceremony by her husband, Larry Johnson, and best friend, Tamela Rendleman, who serves as administrator for Johnson’s organization.

Johnson is a motivational speaker and, as part of her mission to raise awareness about domestic violence, she has written articles for the mayor of Ocala and city of Ocala newsletters, spoken at the Ocala City Council, and appeared before the Senate and House in Tallahassee, the citation stated.

Johnson has three adult children. She and her husband live in northwest Ocala.

She said she feels her efforts are making a difference in the community every day.

“A lot of women have come forth and left their abusers,” she said.

Yet, she also wishes more organizations would focus on the issue of domestic abuse.

“I wish I could help more throughout the country to save more lives,” she stated.

Additional 2022 Spirit of Community honorees:

Senator Lauren Book (Davie)

Pam Brasch (Stuart)

Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D (Jacksonville)

Marie O. Etienne, Ph.D. (North Miami Beach)

Glenna Hayhoe (Naples)

Jonnie Mae Perry (Vero Beach)

April Putzulu (Seminole)

Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, MD (Boynton Beach)

Meghan Shea ( Boca Raton)

Debbie Toler (Bonita Springs)