The Historic Capitol steps were overflowing as the capital city welcomed another top class of 30 women and young women for the 2026 Women You Need to Know honors with a group photo on March 10.
This year marks a milestone 20th year of the Tallahassee Democrat honoring outstanding women during Women’s History Month.
The 25 Women You Need to Know and 5 Young Women to Watch class of 2026
The 25 Women You Need to Know and 5 Young Women to Watch class of 2026
Erin Tilton is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Kiosha Forston is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Brittney Jones is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Erin Philpot is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Chris DelMarco is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Alicia A. Crew is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Amy Thorn is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Shamarial Roberson is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Trishay “Mama Yata” Young is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Sam Joslin Mueller is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Susan Aarons is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Taylore Maxey is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Traci Hodge is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Maria Mead is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
LaFonda Heidel is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Gwynn Virostek is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Andrea Jones is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Liz Underwood is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Susie Caplowe is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
ReNita E. Bowman is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Melissa L. Wright is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Danielle Andrews is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Christina Omran is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Camille Lewis is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Giavona Williams is one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026.
Aaryn Watson is one of Tallahassee’s 5 Young Women to Watch for 2026.
Keya Patel is one of Tallahassee’s 5 Young Women to Watch for 2026.
Sahitya Setty is one of Tallahassee’s 5 Young Women to Watch for 2026.
Vy Nguyen is one of Tallahassee’s 5 Young Women to Watch for 2026.
Anitra Krishnan is one of Tallahassee’s 5 Young Women to Watch for 2026.
A look at Tallahassee’s 25 Women, 5 Young Women honorees for 2026
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The 25 Women You Need to Know and 5 Young Women to Watch class of 2026
Since 2006, it adds up to a total of 560 names recognizing Tallahassee’s powerhouse contributors to community well-being. These public servants, mothers and sisters, caregivers and students all have a little something extra to teach us.
Maria Mead, one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2026, was unable to make the group photo.
Get to know the diverse group of entrepreneurs, attorneys, volunteers and scientists as we roll out profiles of this year’s achievers starting March 16 in the TLH Life section. Until then, here’s a roll call of 30 names.
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Tallahassee history: Meet 530 Women You Need to Know: A complete history
25 Women You Need to Know
Susan Aarons, banking solutions advisor, Vice President, Colony Bank
Danielle Andrews, broker/owner, Realty ONE Group Next Generation
ReNita E. Bowman, founder and CEO, We Maid It Tallahassee, Inc.
Susie Caplowe, retired, Supervisor of Elections Office; Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative
Alicia Crew, retired director of Campus Recreation at Florida State University
Chris DelMarco, attorney, Legal Services of North Florida
Kiosha Forston, coding operations manager, HCA Healthcare
LaFonda Heidel, CEO, Kids Incorporated
Tracie Hodge, CFO, Big Bend Cares
Andrea Jones, retired, Tallahassee Fire Department
Brittney Jones, founder and Chief Experience Officer, Touched by a Rose Events
Dr. Camille Lewis, County Extension Director and 4-H Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Jefferson County
Taylore Maxey, Director of Media and Public Relations, Florida Chamber of Commerce
Maria Mead, President, Keiser University
Sam Joslin Mueller, Public Art & Exhibitions Manager, Council on Culture & Arts
Christina Omran, Deputy Communications Director, Florida Department of Health
Erin Sylvester Philpot, program director, Leadership Tallahassee
Shamarial Roberson, CEO, DSR Consulting & Management
Amy Thorn, JD MPH COO and data scientist, Knowli Data Science
Erin Tilton, shareholder, Stearns Weaver Miller
Liz Underwood, partner and Associate Vice President, Moore
Gwynn Virostek, President and CEO, Capital City Youth Services
Giavona “G” Williams, founder and principal, Grova Creative
Melissa Wright, accredited wealth management advisor, Capital City Bank
Trishay “Mama Yata” Young, founder and Executive Director, Melanin Mothers Meet
5 Young Women to Watch
The 25 Women You Need to Know and 5 Young Women to Watch class of 2026
Anitra Krishnan, Chiles High School
Vy Nguyen, Florida State University School
Keya Patel, Maclay School
Sahitya Setty, Rickards High School
Aaryn Joy Watson, Florida State University School
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 25 Women for 2026: Get to know Tallahassee’s 30 new honorees