Recipients of the June 2006 FCSW Florida Achievement Awards. Valeria Robinson-Baker, Ilene Silverman-Budd, Judy Katrina Wilson, Mary J. Hughes, Deborah Markham, and Roniece Weaver (not pictured).

On Saturday, June 10th, The Florida Commission on the Status of Women honored six outstanding women, during an awards luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport Hotel, for their outstanding service to their communities with a FCSW Florida Achievement Award. More than 40 people attending the event honoring Valeria Robinson-Baker, Ilene Silverman-Budd, Roniece Weaver, Judy Katrina Wilson, Deborah Markham, and Mary J. Hughes for their outstanding contributions which the went beyond the call to serve their communities and state. All six women have made significant and positive changes that have affected the numerous lives and organizations. In recognition of their achievements, each received a plaque and a congratulatory letter from Governor Jeb Bush.

The awardees were as follows:

Valeria Robinson-Baker
Valeria Robinson-Baker is a graduate of Florida A. & M. University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She has over two decades of expertise in hospital pharmacy management and compounding pharmacy practice. She has played an active role in her community through her volunteerism. Her most recent community commitments include her appointment by Governor Bush to the Governor’s Advisory Board on Diabetes. She also serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida as well as the Board of Hebni Nutrition Consultants where she served as a speaker for conferences addressing the health issues of African American Women and the Elderly. Ms. Robinson-Baker has received many awards and distinguished honors such as inclusion in the Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Medicine and Healthcare publication, the Who’s Who in International Business Professionals publication, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Pharmacy Association.

Ilene Silverman-Budd
Ilene Silverman Budd is a successful business woman and a tireless community volunteer with years of exemplary service. A Florida native, Ilene has become a household name in the greater Gainesville-Alachua County region due to her involvement with Public Television’s WUFT, her producing and hosting of The Ilene Silverman Show on CBS 4, and her work for many charities and civic organizations. She has dedicated countless hours of service to numerous boards including the Florida Museum Associates for the Florida Museum of Natural History, United Way of North Central Florida, the American Heart Association, the Alachua County Unit of the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer Association, Dance Alive National Ballet, Habitat for Humanity, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, and many more. Ms. Silverman-Budd has also been the recipient of various awards and recognition such as the Volunteer of the Year Award for WUFT-TV, and in 2004, Santa Fe Community College recognized Ms. Silverman-Budd with its “Woman of Distinction” award.

Roniece Weaver
Roniece Weaver is a founding partner and the Executive Director of Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. She is the Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Central Florida American Diabetes Association. She is the author of numerous books on health related topics including “The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes” which was commissioned by the national office for the American Diabetes Association. Ms. Weaver is also president of Roniece Weaver & Associates Inc., in which she consults with food corporations, provides educational presentations, and speaks nationally about many nutrition subjects.

Judy Wilson
For the past 30 years, Dr. Judy Wilson has dedicated herself to serving the victims of domestic violence in Marion, Alachua, Hernando, Citrus, Lake and Sumter counties. She has earned numerous awards and recognition including the Governor’s Peace at Home Award, Women Helping Women Soroptimist Award and, the distinction of Humanitarian of the Year in Ocala. Dr. Wilson has touched the lives of countless women and girls, many of whom were in the greatest need they would ever face. Through her tireless service to her community, Dr. Wilson has greatly improved the lives of women in Florida.


Deborah Markham
Deborah Markham is an outstanding leader and mentor to many women and girls in Girl Scout programs throughout Central Florida. She is national certified by Girl Scouts of the USA as an Instructor of Trainers. Ms. Markham teaches leadership skills and ethics to teenage girls and women in the Central Florida region, which in turn impacts the lives of hundreds of girls in dozens of communities. She recently received the highest honor possible from the Girls Scouts Council, the Thanks Badge, which honors a member whose efforts have been truly outstanding and who has benefited the Girl Scout Movement as a whole.

Mary J. Hughes
Dr. Mary J. Hughes is a dedicated and active volunteer in her community of Alachua County. Dr. Hughes is the founder and creator of a program for the March of Dimes entitled, the “Chain Reaction” program which educates high school students on premature births and how they can raise money for research and healthcare. These high school Chain Reaction programs are now active across the entire United States. She has been honored with such awards as the Humanitarian Award from Marywood College, the Women Who Make a Difference Award from the Girl Scouts of the Gateway Council, and the Pro Ecclesia Pontifice Award, which is awarded by the Pope.