news release

The Historical Society of Indian River County congratulates Board member Jonnie Mae Perry for recognition from Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Jonnie Mae was one of only eleven Florida women earning the Commission’s “Spirit of Community Award”.

Historical Society president Mark Holt stated “The Historical Society is fortunate to have Jonnie Mae as a key member of our Board of Directors. The recognition is well deserved for her involvement on our Board, other community organizations, and her inspirational leadership in the Gifford community.”

Jonnie Mae is Executive Director of the Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center. Last year, she was instrumental in securing a $493,000 grant from the Florida Department of State’s Florida African American Cultural and Historic grant program to begin expanding the Center beyond the current museum housed in Gifford’s Historic Macedonia Church.

A graduate of the 1973 class of the Vero Beach Senior High School, Perry received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Office Administration from Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia in 1977.

Jonnie Mae Perry Recognized

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Over a period of 39 years, she worked for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Airborne Express Corporation, Professional Creative Consultants and J. Brown & Associates. Returning to Indian River County in 2011, she has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Indian River County Historical Society, Samuel and Audrey Hunter Memorial Foundation, and Treasure Coast Community Health – Gifford Health Center Advisory Committee.

She is immediate past president of the Vero Beach branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and has served as AAUW of Florida’s state chair for Diversity and Inclusion for the past three years, hosting monthly Zoom Dialogues on diversity topics. Jonnie Mae worked with the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation to start the “Teens Listen” program to record oral histories.  This month she became a new Board member for that organization.

Jonnie Mae was recognized in late June at the Florida Commission on the Status of Women’s “Spirit of Community Award” event held at The Delaney Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

“I am grateful to be among so many important Florida women who have received this recognition. We have a wonderful Indian River County community and I am pleased to play a small part in its success” said Perry. She went on to state “I want this award to serve as an inspiration and beacon for organizations in which I take part.”

For over thirty years, the Indian River County Historical Society has contributed to preserving the historical and environmental resources of Indian River County, the Indian River Lagoon area, and the State of Florida. For more information on becoming a member or to volunteer with the Historical Society, call 772-778-3435 or email indianriverhisto@bellsouth.net.