Community invited to 8th annual Spirit of Women Awards Gala

Little

Sacred Heart Women's Hospital will host the 8th annual Spirit of Women Awards Gala on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. The Gala will honor women from Northwest Florida and South Alabama who are making a difference in their communities.

Over 140 women have been nominated by the community for the awards. Eligible for nomination are "unsung heroes" who are making an extraordinary difference in their neighborhoods or communities, such as healthcare workers, volunteers, businesswomen, educators, or other women working to make Northwest Florida a better place to live.

The festivities will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. The guest speaker at this year's ceremonies will be Capt. Lee Little, USN (Ret.)

Capt. Little g r a d u a t e d from Florida S t a t e University in 1979. After t e a c h i n g school for two years, she joined the Navy and was commissioned in 1981. Upon selection for flight training, she reported to Pensacola, where she earned her Naval Flight Officer wings in 1984.

After working her way up through the ranks, Capt. Little was named Executive Office in September 1996 of Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) in Pensacola and assumed command of the Warbucks of VT-4 in 1997. Following command, she reported to the Commander, Carrier Group Size (CCG-6) on board USS John F. Kennedy where she served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Information Warfare. Following retirement from the Navy, Capt. Little has become a training consultant and plans to open an international learning center for children.

During the awards gala, three women will be named as this year's Spirit of Women Award winners: one in the youth category, one in the community category, and one in the healthcare provider category. A special award also will be given to honor women in the military.

Tickets are $5 and are available in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Sacred Heart Marketing Department at (850) 969-0682.

Shirley Cornett of Good Samaritan Clinic in Gulf Breeze won the health care award in 2006.