ST. PETERSBURG \u2013 In honor of Women\u2019s History Month, The Woodson African American Museum of Florida hosted its 12th annual First Ladies in African American History and Winnie Foster Lifetime Achievement Awards Luncheon. The 2026 event, which sold out, has become a premier gathering recognizing African American women and an ally, whose leadership, vision, and dedication have shaped the St. Petersburg community.<\/p>\n
The luncheon was masterfully emceed by\u00a02016 First Lady\u00a0in African American History honoree,\u00a0Erika Dunlap, an award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker,\u00a0and\u00a02003\u00a0Miss America. Known for her advocacy on diversity, inclusion, and education, Erika brought energy, elegance, and inspiration to the program,\u00a0setting the perfect tone for honoring The Woodson\u2019s 2026 celebrated trailblazers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s honorees represented a remarkable range of achievements across education, healthcare, business, technology, law, and advocacy. Their stories not only celebrate individual success, but also highlight the impact of breaking barriers and creating opportunities for future generations.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mary Conage<\/p>\n
A native of St. Petersburg, Dr. Mary Conage was raised in a home rich with music, books, and faith, instilling a lifelong commitment to service and education. Her early involvement in church ministry, including roles as Sunday School teacher and choir director, shaped her calling as an educator.<\/p>\n
Dr. Conage served 33 years with the Pinellas County School District, holding positions from classroom teacher to Title I Director. In 2015, she became the first African American woman to serve as Director of Special Projects (Federal Programs) for the district. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, specializing in culturally responsive pedagogy, and has presented at national education conferences nationwide. Her career has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Arthur Shapiro Leadership of Excellence Award and District Administrator of the Year. Today, she continues to consult and support professional development while cherishing time with her family, including her four grandchildren.<\/p>\n
A trailblazer in technology, Lynn Harrell-Johnson has spent over 35 years advancing innovation and community impact. She became the first African American woman to hold development and programming roles at\u00a0Valpak, contributing to web development, GIS programming, reporting automation, and digital strategy.<\/p>\n
Holding an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the\u00a0University of Phoenix, Lynn also serves as President of Technicalynn LLC and founded Community Tech House Inc., a nonprofit bridging the digital divide. She is actively involved with the\u00a0National Council of Negro Women, currently serving as the 14th Elected Section President for St. Petersburg, and continues to use technology as a tool for empowerment, equity, and community service.<\/p>\n
Gwendolyn Wade<\/p>\n
Gwendolyn \u201cGwen\u201d Wade is a pioneering pharmacist whose career spanned more than five decades. A St. Petersburg native and\u00a0Xavier University of Louisiana\u00a0graduate, she began her professional journey at Mercy Hospital before becoming the first African American female Director of Pharmacy at St. Petersburg General Hospital, a position she held for over 20 years.<\/p>\n
Afterward, she continued serving the community through roles at\u00a0Walgreens\u00a0and\u00a0PharMerica. Mrs. Wade\u2019s trailblazing achievements reshaped opportunities in healthcare leadership and continue to inspire pharmacists and healthcare professionals throughout the region.<\/p>\n
Gwendolyn Washington<\/p>\n
Born in Lake City, Florida, Gwendolyn Washington became a pioneering pharmacist and business leader. A graduate of\u00a0Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy, she overcame racial barriers early in her career and made history as the first African American female Director of Pharmacy at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. She later led Reliant Pharmacy, a mail-order respiratory pharmacy, until her retirement in 2014.<\/p>\n
Beyond healthcare,\u00a0Ms.\u00a0Washington has been a dedicated entrepreneur and community advocate. She co-owned local businesses with her husband and founded\u00a0Gwen\u2019s Elite Travel, Inc., the first Black-owned travel agency\u00a0in the area,\u00a0creating inclusive travel opportunities worldwide. Her legacy continues through her family and the countless lives she has influenced.<\/p>\n
Atty. Jeannine Williams<\/p>\n
Jeannine Williams serves as Chief Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. Petersburg and is Board Certified in City, County, and Local Government Law. She made history as the first African American president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and has also served as president of the Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association.<\/p>\n
A committed mentor and volunteer,\u00a0Atty.\u00a0Williams has supported students through\u00a0Take Stock in Children\u00a0and other initiatives while promoting civic engagement through\u00a0Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Her dedication has earned multiple honors, including the Chief Justice\u2019s Commendation for Leadership, the Florida Bar President\u2019s Pro Bono Service Award, and the St. Petersburg City Council\u2019s Sunshine Ambassador Award.<\/p>\n
Gina Tanase Burkett<\/p>\n
Honored with the prestigious Winnie Foster Lifetime Achievement Award, Gina Tanase Burkett has spent the past 12 years as Head of School at\u00a0Academy Prep, ensuring students and families in South St. Petersburg have access to opportunity, advocacy, and meaningful support. A native of Mound Park, she earned degrees in Marketing and Technology and an MBA from the\u00a0University of Alabama at Birmingham.<\/p>\n
Gina\u2019s vision extends beyond academics; she strives to make Academy Prep a unifying force, strengthening equity, fostering understanding, and uplifting the broader community. Her leadership reflects decades of dedication to education, mentorship, and community empowerment.<\/p>\n
Terri Lipsey Scott with Jeff Baker<\/p>\n Community Partnership and Support<\/p>\n The success of this year\u2019s luncheon was also made possible through the generous support of community partners committed to uplifting and celebrating local leaders. Among them,\u00a0Duke Energy\u00a0continues to play a vital role in advancing initiatives that honor diversity, education, and community empowerment throughout the region.<\/p>\n In recognition of this commitment,\u00a0Jeff Baker, Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy Florida, was presented with a special honor for his leadership and continued support of The Woodson African American Museum of Florida. A strong advocate for community engagement and corporate responsibility, Baker has helped champion partnerships that elevate programs celebrating African American history and achievement in St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n Through support from leaders like\u00a0Mr.\u00a0Baker,\u00a0Duke Energy continues to help ensure that stories of resilience, excellence, and service are recognized and preserved, further strengthening the connection between community, culture, and opportunity.<\/p>\n Mayor Welch with young scholars<\/p>\n Rising Voices of the Next Generation\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Adding a meaningful intergenerational element to the program, a group of outstanding young\u00a0ladies\u00a0from the community had the honor of introducing this year\u2019s award recipients. Each presenter delivered thoughtful and engaging remarks while reflecting the promise and leadership of the next generation.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Woodson3312026-image-2.png\")
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