Mayor Jerry Demings hosts sold‑out Women’s History Month forum highlighting county programs and women leaders

Mayor Jerry L. Demings opened the fourth annual Mayor Demings Women’s History Month Forum, thanking attendees and county staff for the event and praising the role of women in county leadership.

Demings said the county’s leadership is 76% women and highlighted Orange County’s continued growth — serving about 1,600,000 residents — as the forum introduced panels on entrepreneurship, the county Financial Empowerment Center and community health resources. He noted this would be his final year as mayor and joined organizers in honoring local women leaders.

The event included a tribute video produced by county staff, performances by Just Dance 2, a pledge led by Orange County corrections officer Rekisha Nelson and a musical closing by Nina Sky. Sponsors such as Starbucks and Kelly’s Ice Cream supported the program and provided giveaways. Attendees were directed to vendor tables, a Fresh Stop mobile market and county resource tables during a scheduled break and at lunchtime.

The forum’s agenda paired practical workshops with personal stories: an entrepreneur panel examined startup and scaling challenges; the county’s Financial Empowerment Center presented usage statistics and how residents can schedule confidential one‑on‑one counseling; and a local psychotherapist discussed communication and relationships from her new book. The program emphasized resources available to county residents, including free financial counseling and county-operated community services.

The forum adjourned for lunch after a final performance and announcements about meet-and-greets and vendor locations.