A state representative from Florida will help lead the nations oldest organization for female legislators by focusing on global elections.
Elected to be the chair of international outreach efforts for the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) at their Philadelphia conference, Florida Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, talked about her new responsibilities on Friday.
I am excited about this opportunity to assist NFWL in continuing its outreach to women across the globe, Harrell said. I think it is important for women to reach out to other women and help empower them.
Currently chairing the Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee and representing parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties, Harrell is a veteran of the Florida House. First elected in 2000, Harrell faced term limits in 2008 and ran for Congress. After losing that contest, Harrell was part of a NFWL team that headed to Iraq in 2010 to observe their elections. Later that year, she was returned to the Florida House. Harrell won a third term last month.
Harrell offered her take on her experience in Iraq on Friday as she readies to assume her new post.
We were able to experience the Iraqi peoples courage and determination to try and transform Iraq into a stable and secure democracy, Harrell said. I also have a deeper appreciation for the freedom we enjoy and for the sacrifices our service men and women have made so that we can enjoy that freedom.
Harrell starts her new post on Jan. 1 and the chairwoman of NFWL said she was looking forward to working with the Florida representative.
We are so proud of Rep. Harrell and all she has accomplished, said New Jersey state Sen. Diane Allen, R-Edgewater Park, the chairwoman of the NFWL. We are looking forward to her continued leadership in the foundation and I know she will help us make next year one of the most exciting years NFWL has seen.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
