{"id":1892,"date":"2025-04-03T14:20:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T14:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/?p=1892"},"modified":"2025-04-24T14:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:41:13","slug":"pace-center-for-girls-marks-40-years-of-impact-as-100-teen-girls-meet-florida-legislators-at-the-capitol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/pace-center-for-girls-marks-40-years-of-impact-as-100-teen-girls-meet-florida-legislators-at-the-capitol","title":{"rendered":"Pace Center for Girls Marks 40 Years of Impact as 100 Teen Girls Meet Florida Legislators at the Capitol"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Pace Center for Girls (Pace), a nationally recognized prevention model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for girls and young women, is hosted its annual Pace Day at the Capitol event from April 2-3, 2025. More than 100 Pace girls from across the state will meet with members of the Florida House, Florida Senate and other elected officials and leaders to share the impact of Pace\u2019s model as the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSince 1985, Pace Center for Girls has been transforming lives, empowering girls, and building stronger communities,\u201d said Marva Johnson, Chair of Pace\u2019s Board of Trustees and Group Vice President, State Government Affairs for Charter Communications. \u201cPace Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity for girls to participate in the legislative process, by testifying before committees, engaging in a mock debate voting on specific bills, and by advocating with their individual legislators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the two-day event, Pace girls engaged in policy discussions, advocacy training, and hands-on legislative experiences. Girls heard from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall and other key leaders, gaining strategies for effective self-advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7322.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1898\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A highlight of the event was the Women in Politics panel, featuring members of the Pace Board of Trustees and partners. Panelists shared their journeys into leadership, encouraged Pace girls to set ambitious goals, and explore diverse career paths. The panel included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stephanie Smith, Vice Chair of Pace\u2019s Board of Trustees and Vice President, State and Regional Affairs, TECO<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marva Johnson, Chair of Pace\u2019s Board of Trustees and Group Vice President, State Government Affairs for Charter Communications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Senator Anitere Flores, Secretary of Pace\u2019s Board of Trustees and Director of Development, ACE Foundation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kathy Mears, Assistant Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracy Mayernick, The Mayernick Group (moderator)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond legislative engagement, Pace girls explored future career and educational opportunities in Tallahassee. As part of Pace\u2019s commitment to college and career readiness, they participated in guided tours of Florida State University, Tallahassee Community College, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, gaining firsthand exposure to campus life, academic programs, and potential career pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pace\u2019s work has positively impacted the lives of more than 40,000 girls and over the past decade has contributed to a more than 50% decrease in the number of girls that are referred to Florida\u2019s juvenile justice system. Eight out of 10 girls who complete the Pace program continue their education, pursue post-secondary opportunities, or secure employment after leaving Pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1906\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7371.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1906\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1922\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7547.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1922\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1909\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7671.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1909\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1910\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7106.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1910\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1911\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7777-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1911\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1913\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7164.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1913\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7162-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1916\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7701.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1915\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1487\" height=\"2208\" data-id=\"1900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7330.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1900\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1984\" height=\"2976\" data-id=\"1904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7178.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1904\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1918\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7157.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1918\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7469.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1920\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1921\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7735.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1921\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2976\" height=\"1984\" data-id=\"1917\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_7130-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1917\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Pace Day at the Capitol is made possible thanks to a community of supporters who help find the great in every girl, including Charter Communications, State Farm, AT&amp;T, AmTrust Insurance, Capital City Consulting, Arthur J. Gallagher Foundation, The Mayernick Group, The Bailey Group and the Jodie and Jeremy Miller Foundation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pace Center for Girls (Pace), a nationally recognized prevention model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for girls and young women, is hosted its annual Pace Day at the Capitol event from April 2-3, 2025. More than 100 Pace girls from across the state will meet with members of the Florida House, Florida Senate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1896,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"post_tag":[85,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77],"class_list":["post-1892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-florida","tag-pace-alachua","tag-pace-broward","tag-pace-citrus","tag-pace-clay","tag-pace-collier","tag-pace-escambia-santa-rosa","tag-pace-hernando","tag-pace-hillsborough","tag-pace-jacksonville","tag-pace-lee","tag-pace-leon","tag-pace-manatee","tag-pace-marion","tag-pace-miami","tag-pace-orange","tag-pace-palm-beach","tag-pace-pasco","tag-pace-pinellas","tag-pace-polk","tag-pace-treasure-coast","tag-pace-volusia-flagler"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1892"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1977,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892\/revisions\/1977"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pacecenter.org\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_tag?post=1892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}