Leading with Heart: Educators, Healers, and Trailblazers

A Personal Reflection for Women’s History Month on the Legacy of Service

As the month of March comes to a close, I want to take a moment to honor the role of women in history and the vital part they have played in shaping our world as we recognize Women’s History Month. This month is a time to celebrate the incredible women who have inspired generations through their courage, leadership, and determination.

We honor trailblazers like Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher, Rosa Parks, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou, Amelia Earhart, and Ada Lovelace, women whose courage, vision, and determination continue to inspire us all. Their stories remind us of what is possible when we lead with strength, creativity, and conviction.

However, I want to take a personal moment to honor some amazing women in my own family and the roles they are playing in this world. They have been inspired by the many great women who came before them, and in turn, they are inspiring those who will follow.

Thomasine Kennedy: A Legacy of Education and Mentorship
Thomasine is my amazing wife of 34 years and a true partner in every sense. For three decades, she dedicated herself to the classroom as an ELA teacher at both the middle and high school levels. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Education with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Secondary Education, Thomasine has a unique passion for literature. She finds great joy in breaking down complex stories and teaching her students the value of critical thinking. She brought literature to life and demonstrated its impact on our world, showing students the power words have to inspire, influence, and empower. It is truly meaningful to hear from her former students who, years later, still remember her introducing them to great authors and influential stories. Since her retirement, she continues this mission of service as a mentor for the Citrus College and Career Coalition and the Citrus Education Foundation, while also serving our church.

Clarine Elizabeth Kennedy: The Matriarch and Trailblazer
My mother, Clarine, was a commanding figure and a model leader. She rose from a Licensed Practical Nurse to become the Director of Risk Management, Quality Assurance, and Patient Relations, one of the first women to hold such positions at New England Memorial Hospital outside of Boston. She was a professional conflict resolver and a trusted resource in complex situations, known for her high ethical standards and deep spiritual devotion. Mom taught me invaluable lessons in self advocacy and education advocacy that continue to guide my work on the school board today. Her protective and determined approach for students with learning disabilities was legendary. My former high school English teacher and principal, Joelle Andrea, another remarkable woman I look forward to sharing more about in the future, once shared that my mother never grew weary of helping the world see the potential and accomplishments of her children and students. She was the foundational influence for five generations of women in our family who followed her into the medical profession.

Clarine Nordell: Healing the Heart and Body
My cousin and my mother’s namesake, Clarine Nordell, BSN, RN, has served as a nurse in Ocala for over three decades, specializing in women’s and children’s health. Within our family, she is a trusted professional we often turn to for guidance and care. Beyond her clinical expertise, she carries a unique gift inspired by her minister father, the ability to speak not only to the mind, but directly to the heart, reflecting faith and compassion in all she does. She is a powerful example of how professional skill and spiritual depth can come together to bring healing.

Dr. Kimberly Silver Dunker: Empowering Future Educators
My niece, Kim, has dedicated more than 25 years to serving patients, students, and fellow educators, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to the nursing profession. She holds both a PhD and a DNP and serves as a full professor with dual certifications as a Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Educator. In her current role as Director of Graduate Nursing Programs at Loma Linda University, she leads the development of future advanced practice nurses across our nation. Her academic achievements include a PhD in Leadership and Higher Education from Andrews University, a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Regis University, and a Master’s in Nursing Leadership and Business. A published Sigma author, her research, including her work on the empowerment of nursing faculty and student preceptor relationships, addresses critical challenges in healthcare education today. Through her leadership and mentorship, she is helping shape a future generation of nurses who are supported, empowered, and grounded in strong ethical values. We are incredibly proud of the impact she is making on a national level.

Genevieve Kennedy: A Fifth Generation of Service
My daughter, Genevieve, represents the fifth generation of this calling in nursing. Her journey began at Crystal River High School, where she earned her National EMT certification. She continued on to Florida Southern College, where she competed as an NCAA Division II swimmer while earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and working as an EMT and nursing intern at Tampa General Hospital in Crystal River. Graduating magna cum laude, she now serves as a Registered Nurse in Winter Haven. She carries forward our family’s legacy with the same discipline, compassion, and commitment she has shown since she was a young student.

Savannah Brennan: Excellence in Athletics and Medicine
I am also proud to honor Savannah, my soon to be daughter in law, whose achievements reflect a rare combination of athletic and academic excellence. A former NCAA Division II national qualifier and top finisher, she was recognized as a Top 30 NCAA Woman of the Year in 2023 and the Sunshine State Conference Woman of the Year in 2022. Her success as a CSCAA Division II All American First Team athlete carried into her academic accomplishments. Savannah earned a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Genetics and Biomedical Science and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the Florida Institute of Technology, followed by a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Florida. She now practices as a Physician Assistant at UF Health in Jacksonville, representing the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and care. We are grateful to have her in our family and proud to see her continue forward in a career that reflects her commitment to excellence.

These women are just a few of the many who have impacted and continue to shape our world. I am honored and proud to have them in my life and to witness the difference they make each and every day. Their stories are not told often enough, and their impact on our world and on future generations of women is truly profound.

God bless the women of this world. They care for their families, raise future generations, and strengthen communities in ways that bless us all. I am deeply grateful for their presence and their work.

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