2008: Glenda E. Hood

The Junior League of Greater Orlando

Causes/Issue Area(s): Diversity, Historical Preservation

Honors/Achievements: First elected woman Mayor of Orlando, appointed Florida Secretary of State.

Glenda E. Hood is a woman committed to making a difference. Not only does she work to create positive change at the governmental level, but she is also a lifelong volunteer and dedicated Junior League leader. It is her history of innovative leadership in the public and private sectors, as well as her many efforts to bring people together to improve communities, that has earned her The League's highest honor: the Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award.

"Glenda has dedicated over 20 years to putting citizens first and providing strong and compassionate leadership to those in the Greater Orlando community," says Betsy Thompson, Talbots Director of Public Relations. "Her hard work and giving spirit have set a wonderful example within the Greater Orlando community and for women volunteers everywhere, and we congratulate her on receiving this year's Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award."

In 1982, Hood became the youngest President of the Junior League of Greater Orlando, Florida, with the Presidential theme, "A Sense of Community." Her community-oriented perspective contributed to the League's role in the award-winning Hospice Project, the historical preservation efforts of the Orlando Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the awareness-building efforts of the League's Diversity Training Network. She served three terms as the first elected woman Mayor of Orlando and was appointed as Florida Secretary of State by Governor Jeb Bush in 2003.

It has been said of Hood's leadership style, "what you see is what you get." It is this authentic and unaffected approach that has made her a successful volunteer and servant leader. In addition to developing a number of important programs in the Orlando community - within and outside the Junior League - she has served as President of the National League of Cities, President of the Florida League of Cities, Chairman of the Board of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and currently as Chair of the Department of Homeland Security Transition Task Force. Her progressive vision and inclusive nature have helped her build partnerships among 34 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean as part of the Free Trade Area of the Americas for the state of Florida. She also has made a lasting impact on the Junior League of Orlando's diversity, effectiveness, and relevance in the community.

Outside of her League and political work, Hood is currently President and CEO of her own business development and consulting firm, Hood Partners LLC. She helped create, and has been a part of, a number of special programs, including the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and the Society of International Business Fellows at Georgia State University. She speaks regularly on topics of smart growth, international business, the arts, and women's issues.

Throughout her career, Hood has received many honors, including the American Community Network's Leadership Award for Economic Excellence, the American Red Cross Spotlight Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Humanitarian Award and the Jewish National Fund's Tree of Life award.

"The significant contributions that Glenda Hood has made to The Junior League, our community, our state, nationally and internationally exemplify the value of voluntarism and commitment to community that Mary Harriman championed," says Betsy Culpepper, President of the Junior League of Greater Orlando. "We are so proud that one of our members is being honored with the highest award given within our Association to an individual member, especially during our 60th Anniversary year."