Connie Morrow, woman of courage and commitment

Most of us know Connie Morrow as one of the initial Commissioners of Sunny Isles Beach and other "out there" projects; few know Connie the person.

A Long Islander from Williamsburg she completed school there, married, had children and courageously faced tragedies the relationship couldn't survive. Life can be kind and she married again to become a super-mom to a blended family of six children for 36 years so far.

Time for herself brought her to Barry University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Studies. She attended FIU and Colombia Pacific to attain her Masters in Psychology and Counseling. Using her education she had a practice of counseling on 125th St. for ten years.

A caring person and activist she stepped up to the plate and began the Sunflower Society, Inc. to raise funds to bring public awareness, based on her own son's experience, to the possible devastating reactions of children to vaccines. This organization has grown far beyond awareness to many other supporting projects for children. Efforts brought funding for the Family Resource Center that houses 20 children remanded by the courts, and providing counseling for families and children. The Society has partnered with Dade and Broward counties to establish group homes. They renovated the Sunnyland Landmark cottages and administration buildings in partnership with Dade County Parks and Recreation, moving large shade trees and landscaping the acres of property. The Society also renovated empty buildings at AD Ponds Park and created a Respite Center, offering counseling for caregivers and professionals. This has been taken over by Miami Children's Hospital who adopted the Center's four-prong care template: research, therapy, education and outreach. The Sunflower Society has been in existence for 33 years. "We never had a salaried employee, but hundreds of volunteers", said Morrow. Connie stepped down as chairperson during her term as Commissioner, but is once again the mover and shaker of the group.

There is definitely yin and yang when one enters public office. Connie, once known as the "relationship guru", wrote two columns for papers; one "Dear Connie", and the other "Dear Confident". She had a radio talk show for twelve years. This all set aside for her new role as Commissioner. The new role in combination with her previous community service brought her a Governor-appointed position on Status of Women Intercity Commission covering five Dade County communities. Another Gubernatorial appointment was to the Advisory Committee to the Florida State Health and Rehabilitative Services where she served as secretary for two years. She would need a gallery wall to display the numerous awards of appreciation, including the Miami-Dade County Commission's Proclamation of May 16th being declared Constance "Connie" Morrow Day.

Connie is a woman of courage, commitment and caring.
 

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