The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women will present eight new inductees to the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame on August 26.

• The event, showcasing women who have made significant contributions to the county, will take place at 6 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.

This year’s inductees represent diverse fields, including the arts, military, law, education, business, and community service.

• Shari Allen, honored as the Mattie Kelley Cultural Arts Inductee, has contributed to the arts and cultural expansion of Okaloosa County and Northwest Florida for over 29 years. Partnering with her husband, Todd Eric Allen, CEO of Northwest Florida Ballet, she has played a key role in creating core artistic curriculum, arts advocacy, administrative direction, and oversight of outreach through scholarships. Allen has also assisted with grant funding and instruction for the Northwest Florida Ballet Company, Academie, and Community School.
• Col. Allison Black, the Military Inductee, commanded the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field during her 32-year Air Force career. She oversaw the wing’s four groups, 24 squadrons, 40 tenant units, and Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. Black flew over 3,400 hours, including 2,000 combat hours in the AC-130H Spectre gunship and U-28A Draco. Known as the “Angel of Death,” she was the first female AC-130H Spectre navigator to open fire and the first female Air Force Combat Action Medal recipient.
• Judge Lacey Powell Clark, receiving the Carolyn Spencer Humanitarian award, has served as a Circuit Judge in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. Before becoming a judge, she practiced civil litigation for 24 years. Clark has been active in various community organizations, including the Rotary Club of Crestview and Fresh Start for Children and Families. She chairs the Family Law Advisory Group and co-chairs the First Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee.
• Shawna Crist, the Education Inductee, is recognized for her contributions as a teacher, parent volunteer, and educational support person in the Okaloosa School District. Notably, she is the only person to be named the Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Educational Support Person of the Year.
• Sierra Elliot, the Contemporary Inductee, serves as a Sexual Assault & Harassment Specialist at the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field. After serving 10 years with the Air Force, she transitioned to a Civil Service career. Elliot has received multiple awards for her work as a victim advocate, including recognition at the Pentagon as the top-performing victim advocate in the Air Force and the DoD Promoting Excellence in Prevention award.
• Lori Kelley, honored in the Business-Professional category, chairs the Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees. She previously served as president of the NWFSC Foundation Board and has chaired both Niceville-Valparaiso and Walton County Chamber boards. With over 30 years at Warren Averett, Kelley has risen to senior tax member with one of the largest client bases on the Gulf Coast.
• Joy Makela, the Community Service Inductee, has built a behavioral health private practice serving the state of Florida. A lifetime resident of Okaloosa County, she volunteers in various community roles, including as a School Advisory Committee Chair, mental health mentor, church volunteer, youth soccer team manager, and Science Fair Judge.
• Barbara Henderson Slocumb, the Pioneer Inductee, is a fourth-generation Okaloosa County native with roots tracing back to Otahite, a Native American outpost. As a member of the North Okaloosa Historical Association, she has helped collect, donate, and oversee artifacts at the Baker Block Museum. Slocumb currently serves as the family service director for Davis Watkins Funeral Home.

Since its inception in 1995, the Hall of Fame has inducted 140 women. The award was created to honor women who have made important contributions to Okaloosa County.

For more information about the event, visit occsw.com or contact Jeanne Rief at 850-685-8027.