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Historical Society of Central Florida honors women who shaped local sports at annual breakfast
Summary
The Historical Society’s seventh annual Women’s History Breakfast at Inter&Co Stadium recognized athletes, executives and teams — including Mimi Chan, Carrie Coates, Kaye Rollins and the Orlando Rebels — and highlighted the Her Story paid internship program and fundraising appeal.
The Historical Society of Central Florida on Monday gathered leaders, elected officials and community members at Inter&Co Stadium to honor women who have shaped sports in Central Florida. The seventh annual Women’s History Breakfast recognized honorees Mimi Chan, Carrie Coates and Kaye Rollins, highlighted the region’s historic Orlando Rebels softball teams, and celebrated the Orlando Pride’s role in local sports culture.
Jamie Saye, sports director at WKMG News 6 and master of ceremonies, opened the program and urged attendees to support the professional teams that anchor local sports, saying the community can “help us do our part” to keep the Pride and other clubs thriving. Azela Santana, executive director of the Orange County Regional History Center and the Historical Society of Central Florida, thanked sponsors and listed elected officials in attendance, underscoring the event’s broad civic support.
Honoree Mimi Chan, introduced for her long career in martial arts instruction, choreography and documentary filmmaking, told the audience that local storytelling matters: “History is proof, and it’s survival,” she said, calling preservation of local voices essential to inspiring future generations. The program traced other local sports milestones as Jamie Saye recounted Marge Ricker’s founding of the Orlando Rebels in 1954 and Carrie Coates’s contributions to creating memorable fan experiences for the Orlando Magic and to bringing a women’s professional basketball team to Orlando.
Carrie Coates, receiving the breakfast’s recognition for her pioneering front-office work, recalled mentor Pat Williams urging her to join the organization and reflected on the responsibilities and opportunities that come with leadership in sports. Kaye Rollins, honored for decades helping build Orlando City and the Pride, urged continued community attendance and support for women’s teams, singling out veteran player Marta and the club’s recent successes.
Speakers also highlighted the History Center’s Her Story internship, which provides paid museum training and research opportunities focused on women’s histories. The event closed with a poetry reading by Orlando poet laureate Kamara Gaither, a fundraising appeal from board president Lauren Bloom, and a group photo session with honorees.
Photos and a call to support the History Center’s programs were presented as the breakfast concluded.
