First Lady Casey DeSantis (right) with Hometown Hero Dianne Boland (left). PHOTO PROVIDED

and Gala honored keynote speaker First Lady Casey DeSantis with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award last Saturday, as well as awarding seven Women of Distinction awards.

“Having the First Lady there, that was my highlight,” Women of Distinction Award Program and Gala President and Founder Missi Lastra said. “We have never had a speaker of that caliber. To have the First Lady there to receive her own award and to speak to attendees, but also to give the Hometown Hero award to Dianne Boland was so meaningful. That was amazing.”

She went on to say that having the First Lady “of the great state of Florida to come to your little event” is a big deal.

“The governor and her are constantly interacting with everyday people. They are always out and about hitting mom and pop businesses and organizations,” Lastra said.

State Attorney Amira Fox presented DeSantis with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award.

“She is a great speaker in her own right. Very motivational. She just inspires people. Just wonderful,” she said of First Lady DeSantis.

Lastra said DeSantis has implemented so many programs, adding $100 million dollars in occurring monies to cancer research funding from the state.

“All while battling and beating cancer herself inspires you. She is just an incredible woman,” she said.

There is a nomination process, which included 42 submissions that the selection committee reviewed with personal information redacted. The committee selected 17 finalists with seven awards provided at the Saturday event.

The Women of Distinction:

– Dianne Boland, Hometown Hero

– Teri Hanson, Business Leader

– Tricia Hennessy, Creative Arts

– Denise Nystrom, Education

– Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Elected Leader

– Lisa Maglione, Humanitarian

– Ita Neymotin, Trail Blazer, Woman of the Year

– Alyssa Maldonado, Young Woman Leader

Another highlight was when Boland was recognized, as she was stunned and did not realize her name was called. Boland is the first female State Director of the American Legion, Lastra said.

“She spearheaded a lot of the nonprofit work to help women veterans and children. She’s an amazing woman. Very humble. It makes it all worth while,” Lastra said.

She said they started seven years ago with the first event taking place six years ago to lift woman up. Lastra said when you look around the community and look at the problem it is typically woman with their sleeves rolled up fixing the problem without ever looking for recognition.

“That is obviously the most meaningful thing every year, to lift them up,” she said.

For more information, visit www.womenofdistinctionleecounty.com, or visit their Facebook page.