Women Shine in ‘Girls Rock Career Fair’

From Nadine Skelton, Girl Scout Troop 662 leader:

Girl Scout Troop 662 hosted a on May 5 at Scout Park in Temple Terrace. The event showcased successful women in male-dominated careers.

Eleven professional women volunteered their time by sporting their professional garb and illustrating a typical day at work through hands-on activities. Tri-fold posters displayed information about their professions, along with facts and figures relating the number of women in their fields.

Participants in the fair included the following professional women:

• Nadine Skelton, physician;
• Deborah Holton-Fischer, pastor;
• Carol Ocasio, scientist;
• Chontrice Robertson, Naval reserve officer;
• Nivia Cuevas, pharmacist;
• Christine Brown, video production manager;
• Paula Noblitt, biologist and waste water treatment manager;
• Alison Fernandez, City Council member and auditor;
• Marshia Hall, firefighter;
• Stephanie Huertas, police officer; and
• Joanne Colon-Thaler, bus driver.

Visitors enjoyed the hands-on activities, especially trying on the bullet-proof police vest, using the handcuffs, wearing the heavy firefighter gear and helmet, practicing CPR on the mannequin, testing water to detect impurities, watching produced videos, and handling the chalice and ministerial apparel, among others.

Boy Scouts from Troop 120 demonstrated their support by assisting the Girl Scouts in the set up and take down at the event.

The Girl Scouts plan to host another career fair sometime in the future.