“Ten at the Top in Tampa Bay” A documentary film project to celebrate women leaders and promote mentoring
TAMPA, FL – “Ten at the Top in Tampa Bay,” an independent documentary film that celebrates 10 extraordinary women who simultaneously led governmental institutions in the Tampa/Hillsborough County region, premiered Sunday, March 25, at 4 pm on WEDU, West Central Florida's PBS Station. Never before had so many women served in these top leadership positions, making this an unprecedented time in history. The film is a mentoring tool for young girls who may not realize that they too can reach such high levels of public service. The women are: Pat Bean, County Administrator, Hillsborough County*; MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent, School District of Hillsborough County*; Pat Frank, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit*; Nancy Fryrear, Postmaster, Tampa - United States Postal Service*; Julianne Holt, Public Defender, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit*; Pam Iorio, Mayor, City of Tampa*; Dr. Luanne Panacek, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County*; Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson, President, Hillsborough Community College*; Dr. Judy Genshaft, President, University of South Florida (USF); and Colonel Margaret Woodward, Commander, MacDill Airforce Base. This collective force of women set the direction of our city and county, promoted the welfare of our children, helped strengthen our economy, shaped our educational and court systems, and protected our national security. The film is supported by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and premiered in March to recognize National Women’s History Month. In addition to the film's PBS premiere, Ten at the Top in Tampa Bay aired on the city of Tampa's government channel and will also air on The Education Channel in September, 2007. In April, the film was featured at the Southern Women in Public Service Conference sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service. The film has also been accepted to numerous film festivals including the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image, the Central Florida Film Festival and the Independents' Film Festival. Director and Producer Renee Warmack is a native of Tampa and holds a master’s degree from USF in Public Administration.
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*Women noted by an asterisk have been interviewed for this film.
