Agenda 12/09/2025 Item # 4A (Proclamation - Recognizing January 23, 2026, as the 30th Anniversary of the Woman's Foundation of Collier County )PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, a group of visionary women came together 30 years ago with a shared dream that every
woman and girl could thrive, regardless of the challenges they faced; and
WHEREAS, this collective dream, under the guidance of the Collier Community Foundation, laid the
foundation for the Women’s Foundation of Collier County in 1996; and this year marks the
30th Anniversary of the Women’s Foundation of Collier County; and
WHEREAS, this milestone event celebrates three decades of impact, honoring the leadership and
philanthropy of women serving women in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Women’s Foundation of Collier County has been instrumental in supporting critical
programs, investing millions of dollars into initiatives that create meaningful, lasting
change in Collier County; and
WHEREAS, assistance is being provided to meet the current needs of homeless senior women while
also addressing isolation concerns; and
WHEREAS, young women and girls are being empowered to meet their full potential through
scholarships, mentorships, and career development; and
WHEREAS, the important role women play in Collier County is recognized through its Women of
Initiative awards, which honor local women leaders who are an inspiration to women
seeking to make a difference through philanthropy and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, this year’s awards ceremony will bring together more than 800 influential women leaders,
philanthropists, and advocates, and will honor five exceptional women whose lives and
legacies exemplify the Foundation’s mission of serving as a catalyst for change in the lives
of women and girls in Collier County; and
WHEREAS, women account for more than 50% of Collier County’s population, and women are serving
locally in leadership positions, inspiring the continued work in advancing opportunities for
women and girls of all backgrounds;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that January 23, 2026, be designated to
RECOGNIZE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF COLLIER
COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County, Florida
Burt L. Saunders, Chairman
Page 363 of 9661
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR PROCLAMATION
Please complete the form below and email to Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov along with a draft of the
proclamation (Insert language on the Draft Proclamation From linked on the same webpage as this Request
Form). Forms must be submitted a minimum of 13 days prior to the requested meeting date.
Please note: A Commissioner sponsor is required!
COMMISSIONER(S) AGREEING TO SPONSOR: Commissioner Rick LoCastro
Once the Board agenda is approved by the Chair, staff will contact you to confirm receipt and presentation at an
upcoming Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you have any questions, please email
Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov or by calling (239) 252-8075.
NAME: Women's Foundation of Collier County
ADDRESS: Attention: Fran Reiss
1110 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 200, Naples, FL 34108
PHONE: 239-649-5000
EMAIL: freiss@colliercf.org
DATE OF THE COMMISSION MEETING BEING REQUESTED FOR PRESENTATION: 12/09/2025
TOPIC/REASON FOR THE PROCLAMATION REQUEST: recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Women’s
Foundation and its continued dedication to empowering women and strengthening our community
DOES THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZE A SPECIFIC CALENDAR DATE? January 23, 2026 _
HAS THE PROCLAMATION BEEN PRESENTED BY THE BOARD IN PREVIOUS YEARS? no
NAME OF THE LEAD RECIPIENT AND TITLE (IF APPLICABLE) WHO WILL BE PRESENT AND INTRODUCED AT THE
MEETING TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION: (Other attendees may also participate in the receipt of the
Proclamation but will be announced by the County Manager as “distinguished guests.” Commissioners may opt to
identify others, by name, in any comments they make during or after the presentation of the Proclamation.)
LEAD RECIPIENT NAME: Shelia Smith Davis, Chair, 2026 Women’s Foundation Luncheon
Note: A photograph will be taken with the County Commissioners at the meeting when the proclamation is
presented. Other persons present with the recipients may also come forward at the time of the photograph.
Would you like a copy of this photograph sent (circle one): Via email / Via U.S. Mail
Per your delivery selection, please provide a name and email address or physical mailing address if different than
already provided on the form above:
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY:
DATE FORM RECEIVED: RECEIVED BY:
ACCEPTED: DENIED: REASON FOR DENIAL:
APPLICANT NOTIFIED ON (DATE): VIA TELEPHONE / EMAIL / US MAIL
BY: (SIGNATURE) REVISED 2/2023
Page 364 of 9661
From: Aixa Capizzi <Aixa.Capizzi@colliercountyfl.gov>
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2025 11:47 AM
To: shelianaples@aol.com
Cc: Aimee Trochessett <Aimee.Trochessett@colliercountyfl.gov>
Subject: RE: Proclamation
Hello Sheila,
Thank you for your thoughtful request on behalf of the Women’s Foundation of Collier
County. As mentioned, Commissioner LoCastro would be honored to sponsor the
proclamation and is also considering attending and potentially presenting the
Proclamation at the event.
The County has a formal vetting process for Proclamations. The following is a link to the
official Proclamation Request webpage
(https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners/request-
for-proclamation). There you will find the guidelines and forms you will need to
complete. You may send an email to Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov, for further
questions and guidance regarding the same.
I have Cc’d Aimee Trocheseett to this email. She is our contact for Proclamations and their
updates.
Best regards,
Aixa Capizzi, MAA, MFCEP
Commissioner Executive Assistant
Board of County Commissioners
3299 Tamiami Trl E, Suite 303
Naples FL 34112
Office: (239) 252-8601
Web: https://www.colliercountyfl.gov
/
Page 365 of 9661
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke passionately
of his dream of an America where all citizens would be judged by the content of their
character and not by the color of their skin; where all Americans would enjoy the riches of
freedom and the security of justice; where the doors of opportunity would be open for all;
and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday on January 15th is intended as a time for all
Americans to reaffirm their commitment to the basic principles that underlie our
Declaration of Independence and our Constitution . . . equality and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, January 19, 2026, all people of Collier County will remember Dr. King’s
dream and renew our commitment to bringing forth positive change throughout our nation;
and
WHEREAS, the Collier County Branch of the NAACP will help us all to remember Dr. King’s dream
by presenting the 29th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, themed
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous
struggle: Dr. King’s Legacy of Inclusion and Diversity”
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that Monday, January 19, 2026, be designated as a day to remember and celebrate
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S DREAM DAY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day of December 2025.
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County, Florida
Burt L. Saunders, Chairman
Page 366 of 9661