Consumer Advocate Elsie Crowell and CFO Tom Gallagher in 2002.

FLORIDA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Members of the Florida Cabinet and Legislature joined the Florida Commission on the Status of Women to celebrate Women's History Month on Monday, March 22, 2004 in the Capitol Rotunda. The event commemorated the accomplishments of Florida's women and celebrated the many ways women strengthen and enrich Florida. The event included the reading and presentation of Governor Jeb Bush's proclamation recognizing March as Women's History Month and remarks from members of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women."

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is proud to honor and celebrate the many achievements of Florida's women. Women mean so much to our state and our history," says Dr. Patricia Clements, Commission Chair.

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is a nonpartisan board, statutorily created in 1991 consisting of 22 appointed members. The Commission, through coordinating, researching, communicating and encouraging legislation, is dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life in achieving their fullest potential, to eliminating barriers to that achievement, and to recognizing women's accomplishments. Additional information on the Commission is available from its web site at http://www.fcsw.net.

FOUNDING FCSW BOARD MEMBER ELSIE CROWELL RETIRES FROM THE STATE

Elsie Crowell, Insurance Consumer Advocate in the Department of Financial Services, is being honored this month upon her retirement from public service. Ms. Crowell was appointed by Treasurer Tom Gallagher to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women in 1991, and was elected Commission Chair in 1993, serving two consecutive terms as Chair and eight years on the Commission.

For the past 37 years, Elsie Crowell has been a devoted public servant to the citizens of Florida, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, Florida State University, the Departments of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Professional Regulation, Insurance, and Financial Services.

Her career began at FAMU, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 and her Masters Degree in 1971.

From 1969 through 1984, Ms. Crowell held positions in personnel management for the Departments of Health and Rehabilitative Services and Professional Regulation. In 1984, her selection as Division Director for Examination and Licensure for the Department of Professional Regulation encompassed over 600 career service and contractual personnel.

In 1989, Elsie Crowell was selected by the Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner, Tom Gallagher, as Division Director for the Division of Agent and Agency Services. Beginning in 1991, her service as Division Director for Consumer Services demonstrated exceptional leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.

Elsie Crowell has served as the Insurance Consumer Advocate from 1997 to the present and has worked on a variety of consumer issues including easy-to-read insurance policies, workers’ compensation rates, managed-care grievances, but none more admirably than her efforts to prohibit the sale of industrial life insurance policies in Florida.

She has earned respect and admiration throughout her career in Florida. Her family, including two grandchildren, will enjoy having more time with her, and Ms. Crowell  will continue her pursuit of a Ph.D. in Health Policy at FSU.