Congratulations to Felicia M. Brunson, recipient of the Women for Florida State University’s 2020 Gift of Wisdom Award. Brunson leads with an innate sense of obligation to care for and serve her community. Since graduating from Florida State in 1994, she has commenced a successful career as a public servant with Broward County, Florida. Through her commitment to championing for justice, equality and communal empowerment, Brunson was elected as an inaugural city commissioner for the City of West Park, where she currently serves as vice mayor. Always one to quote philanthropist and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, Brunson embodies the belief that “service is the price you pay for the God-given space you occupy,” and continues to extend her deep-rooted passion for community service beyond the duties of an elected official. Advocating for the welfare of young women and the young at heart, Brunson founded Visions of Images, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing seniors and girls in her Broward County communities. Designed to bridge the intergenerational connection between these demographics, the organization provides not only comprehensive programming that is responsive and representative of the diverse needs of seniors but also fosters healthy self-esteem in young girls through conversation and engagement to help them become productive citizens. “Through Visions of Images, Brunson continues to exercise her servitude for constructive social good and has helped changed many lives for the better,” Carolyn M. Hardy shared in her nomination letter. “Brunson’s efforts afford each and every senior citizen and young woman a reason to have hope, to dream and to bring to fruition their heart’s desires.” Brunson truly epitomizes the values of W4FSU, sharing her time and talents to institute the societal changes she hopes to see throughout southeastern Florida. Most notably through her time as a mentor, where girls have come to know her as simply Ms. Fe, Brunson hopes all women can one day participate equally in a society that has fewer limitations, disenfranchisement and marginalization. “Anyone around [Brunson] would say when a space is created at the table for her, she doesn’t dine alone. She doesn’t think for herself, and that is the embodiment of women’s empowerment,” Sasha Holmes, a mentee of Brunson’s, shared in her nomination letter. “She has been with me through each major milestone of my life, through high school graduation to moving in on my first day of college, and I could not imagine my life without her.” Felicia M. Brunson