https://www.yoursun.com/sunfiercewomen/

FIERCE Women, 200 E VENICE Avenue, Venice, FL (2025)

12/09/2025

✨ Meet Our Second December FIERCE Woman of the Month: Amber Jacob! ✨

Theme: Fierce Without Limits: Honoring Women Who Rise Above Physical Challenges

Today, we’re proud to highlight our 2nd Woman of the Month, nominated by our community — Amber Jacob. 💛

🌟 Amber’s Story
Amber is a devoted mom of three, a dedicated business owner, and a true community connector. While helping her neighbors clean up after Hurricane Ian, a simple fall changed everything. What began as a sprained ankle led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a chronic condition that eventually left her unable to walk.

Despite the constant pain, Amber’s spirit remains unshakable. She continues to uplift others, support her Venice community, and stay deeply rooted in connection and compassion. Her resilience and heart make her a shining example of what it means to live fierce without limits.

💛 Help Us Celebrate Amber!
Cast your vote for her once per day at SunFIERCEwomen.com.
Your support helps honor her strength and her story.

Stay tuned as we introduce the remaining Sun FIERCE Women this month!

12/09/2025

✨ Introducing Our First December FIERCE Woman: Cynthia Fabian! ✨

Theme: Fierce Without Limits: Honoring Women Who Rise Above Physical Challenges

We’re excited to kick off our December features by spotlighting an extraordinary woman nominated by our community — Cynthia Fabian. 💛

🌟 Cynthia’s Story
At just 17, Cynthia found herself alone in New York City with no money, no home, and no family support. After losing both parents at a young age, she leaned on courage, determination, and the inspiration of her heroine, Anne Frank.

She worked tirelessly — editing at night, attending school during the day — earning both her BA and MA. Cynthia went on to become an English teacher in the Bronx, all while living with epilepsy. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the strength to rise above any challenge.

💛 Help Us Honor Cynthia!
You can vote for her once per day at SunFIERCEwomen.com.
Your vote helps shine a light on her incredible story.

Stay tuned as we introduce the rest of our amazing December !

12/03/2025

✨ Meet Our December FIERCE Women! ✨
Theme: Fierce Without Limits: Honoring Women Who Rise Above Physical Challenges

These four inspiring women were nominated by our community for their strength, resilience, and unstoppable spirit. 💛

🌟 Our December Sun FIERCE Women:

1️⃣ Bronx Trailblazer
On her own at 17 after losing both parents, she worked her way through college, earning her BA and MA while living with epilepsy. Her perseverance led her to become an English teacher in the Bronx.

2️⃣ Amber Jacob
A Venice mom, business owner, and community supporter, Amber’s life changed after a fall led to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Despite chronic pain, she remains dedicated to helping and uplifting others.

3️⃣ Francesca Ledesma
Diagnosed with lupus and a neurological disorder, Francesca lost her mobility but never her drive. This Englewood mom turned her passion into a women-focused boutique despite the challenges.

4️⃣ Ciara Wells
A lifelong cheer “base” and coach, Ciara was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer but stayed fierce through treatment — even returning to work shortly after a double mastectomy. She continues to inspire with her strength and heart.

💛 Vote daily at SunFIERCEwomen.com to help honor these extraordinary women!

12/03/2025

🌿 Congratulations to our November FIERCE Woman of the Month: Barbara Lockhart! 🌿

We are thrilled to announce that Barbara Lockhart has been voted the winner for our November theme, “Women We Are Thankful For.” 💛

Growing up in Florida, Barbara learned early on to appreciate the beauty of nature. From exploring natural areas to reading bird books and going birding, her love for the environment has been a lifelong passion.

But everything changed the day she stood on Englewood Beach during a red tide event — no people, hard to breathe, and a moment that sparked a mission.
“I thought, ‘I have to figure out how to do something.’”

And she did.

Alongside her full-time role as a paralegal, Barbara leads The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc., where she has helped secure 48 parcels of land since 2020 — a powerful legacy of protection and stewardship.

She was nominated by Linda Manley, who admires Barbara’s positive, can-do spirit and her signature belief that “Asking is free.” A reminder that change begins with the courage to simply ask.

✨ Please join us in celebrating Barbara — a woman who inspires gratitude, action, and hope. ✨

💛

12/01/2025

✨ Now Accepting January 2026 FIERCE Nominees! ✨
Our very first feature of 2026 is all about honoring Women Who Have Overcome Addiction — women who have faced some of life’s hardest battles, found recovery, reclaimed their strength, and want to share their stories to inspire others.

If you know a woman whose journey deserves to be celebrated, we would love to hear about her. Nominate her today at sunfiercewomen.com.

Each FIERCE honoree is featured in the newspaper and online on the first Wednesday of every month, keeping her story shining in our community.

Let’s lift up the women who turned struggle into strength and courage into purpose. 💛

Nominate now: sunfiercewomen.com

11/25/2025

✨ Tomorrow Is the LAST Day to Vote for Our November FIERCE Women! ✨

We’ve spent this month celebrating four extraordinary women whose strength, compassion, and leadership light up our community. Now it’s time to give them the support they deserve — and your vote can make all the difference! 💛

Here are the inspiring nominees you’ve been lifting up all month:

💬 Tammy Bombin Donarski — “Tammy the Talker,” whose joy, kindness, and ability to connect make her a beloved bright spot wherever she goes.

🌿 Barbara Lockhart — The environmental advocate who helped secure 48 protected land parcels, proving that passion + action can create powerful change.

💪 Melanie Hurd — A woman of strength and reinvention, thriving in a new industry and always stepping up to help others.

🏡 Mary Ouellette — A guiding light for families pursuing affordable homeownership, leading with compassion and her motto: “Solidarity, not charity.”

These women are the heart of this month’s theme, “Women We Are Thankful For.”

👉 Please take a moment to vote — tomorrow is the FINAL day!
Vote at sunfiercewomen.com, and help us celebrate the woman who inspired you most.

Every single vote matters. Let’s finish strong and continue lifting these amazing FIERCE women up! 💛

11/25/2025

✨ What a Night! ✨
Friday’s Best of Charlotte celebration was nothing short of incredible. As Sun Coast Media, we were honored to recognize and celebrate the top businesses in Charlotte County-the innovators, the leaders, and the hometown favorites that make our community so exceptional.

The energy in the room was absolutely electric-filled with heartfelt conversations, well-earned applause, joyful tears, and even some unforgettable dance moves. The entire evening overflowed with pride, gratitude, and a powerful sense of community. Every winner reminded us just how much passion, hard work, and heart live right here in Charlotte County.

We’re still buzzing from the joy and connection shared throughout the evening. Celebrating the best of the best with all of you is one of our favorite moments of the year—and this year did not disappoint.

Here’s to the businesses that help shape our community, and to another unforgettable Best of Charlotte celebration. Cheers to an amazing 2026! ✨ Adams MultiMedia

11/20/2025

🌟 Celebrating Our November FIERCE Women — “Women We Are Thankful For” 🌟

This month, we’re honored to spotlight four incredible women whose strength, kindness, and leadership shine brightly in our community. Each of them brings something uniquely inspiring, reminding us just how many reasons we have to be thankful. 💛

💬 Tammy Bombin Donarski — Affectionately known as “Tammy the Talker,” she spreads joy everywhere she goes. Whether she’s chatting with strangers or waving to neighbors, Tammy’s warmth and gift for connection make her someone everyone loves to know. As one neighbor put it, “we all need a Tammy in our lives.”

🌿 Barbara Lockhart — A devoted nature lover who turned her passion into action. After witnessing the effects of red tide, Barbara helped secure 48 parcels of protected land through The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc. She lives by the simple but powerful belief: “Asking is free.”

💪 Melanie Hurd — After 25 years in banking, Melanie courageously rebuilt her life and career through faith and determination. Now thriving in the roofing industry, she is known for her strength and her heart, described by her nominator as “the first to volunteer to help.”

🏡 Mary Ouellette — As Homeowner Services Director for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Mary supports families on their path to homeownership. Guided by her motto, “Solidarity, not charity,” she inspires growth, resilience, and hope in everyone she serves.

✨ We are truly grateful for these extraordinary women and the impact they make every day. ✨

👉 Show your support and vote daily for your favorite FIERCE woman at sunfiercewomen.com.
Every vote matters — let’s lift them up together! 💛

11/17/2025

🎁✨ We’re an Official Toys for Tots Drop-Off Location! ✨🎁
If you’re looking to share a little holiday cheer, we’d love to help you do it!

You can drop off new, unwrapped toys for children at either of our locations:

📍 The Daily Sun
23170 Harbor View Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
🗓️ Collecting donations through December 4th

📍 The Venice Gondolier
200 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
🗓️ Collecting donations through December 12th

Every toy makes a difference — thank you for helping spread some holiday magic! 🎄💛

11/14/2025

💛 Meet Our Fourth November FIERCE Woman — Mary Ouellette! 💛

As we wrap up our month of “Women We Are Thankful For,” Mary reminds us what true compassion, resilience, and community leadership look like. 🌟

As the Homeowner Services Director for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Mary guides families through the life-changing journey of becoming homeowners. She’s a steady source of support, encouragement, and hope — helping people rewrite their futures one step at a time. 🏡

Mary lives by the inspiring motto: “Solidarity, not charity.”
Her belief in empowerment and dignity shines through in everything she does, making her a woman our whole community can be thankful for. 💛

👉 Show your support and vote daily for Mary at sunfiercewomen.com!

She’s our fourth and final nominee this month — let’s rally around her and celebrate her incredible FIERCE spirit! 🌟

11/13/2025

💛 Meet Our Third November FIERCE Woman — Tammy Bombin Donarski! 💛

As we continue honoring “Women We Are Thankful For,” Tammy reminds us that kindness and connection can truly change lives. 🌟

Known lovingly as “Tammy the Talker,” she has a special gift for making everyone feel seen and valued — whether she’s chatting with a stranger in the grocery store, waving to neighbors, or sharing a plate of cookies just because. Her warmth, faith, and genuine love for people inspired her nomination, with one neighbor saying, “We all need a Tammy in our lives.” 💬

Tammy’s heart for connection and her joyful spirit make her someone we can all be thankful for. 💛

👉 Show your support and vote daily for Tammy at sunfiercewomen.com
!
She’s our third of four inspiring nominees this month — let’s lift her up and celebrate her beautiful FIERCE heart! 🌟

11/11/2025

🌿 Meet Our Second November FIERCE Woman — Barbara Lockhart! 🌿

As we continue celebrating “Women We Are Thankful For,” Barbara reminds us how one person’s passion can create powerful change. 💚

A lifelong nature lover turned environmental leader, Barbara saw the devastating effects of red tide and decided to take action. Through her dedication and leadership with The Environmental Conservancy of North Port, Inc., she helped secure 48 parcels of protected land — preserving natural beauty for generations to come. 🌎

Her simple yet powerful motto says it all: “Asking is free.”
Barbara proves that when you care deeply and speak up, amazing things can happen. 🌟

👉 Show your support and vote daily for Barbara at sunfiercewomen.com

She’s our second of four inspiring nominees this month — let’s lift her up and celebrate her vision, courage, and heart for our community. 💚

FIERCE Women

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