County Commissioner Carol Whitmore is the ninth in our series of 25 Wonder Woman brought to you courtesy of the Bradenton Herald.

Carol grew up on Anna Maria Island and started her local government service in 1991 when she was elected to the Holmes Beach City Commission, later serving as Mayor of the City of Holmes Beach from 1998 – 2006. Elected to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners in 2006 she has chaired a number of committee’s such as Port Manatee, Manatee County Civic Center Authority and the Tourist Development Council

Carol’s grit and determination to succeed started at the age of 15 where when her stepmother kicked her out of the family home; Island friends and their families took her in and her journey began. Carol put herself through high school and to support herself she worked at a nursing home at night. Of this period in her life, she says “ I feel it has made me a stronger person and given me a perspective on the down and out. “ Carol is married to a retired surgeon, Andre Renard and has a daughter, Janae, three stepchildren – Laurent, Valarie and Alex and is the proud grandmother to 8 beautiful grandchildren.

Carol graduated from Manatee High School in 1973 and went on to graduate from Manatee Technical College as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1977 and then in 1982 from SCF with an A.S. Licensed Registered Nurse, returning to become a Certified Health Care Risk Manager in 2006.

Carol has a huge heart and has taken on many causes including the Manatee County Food Bank Advisory Committee, Manatee Opportunity Council, Manatee Heart Association, Children’s Services, President of the Aids Council of Manatee, American Red Cross, United Way Board of Directors, Families Against Addictive Drug Abuse (FAADA), Advisory Board Member, Meals on Wheels Advisory Council, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County and the Founder and Chairman of the Animal Coalition.

On a statewide level, Carol also serves our community as a Member of the Elder Abuse Team and the Animal Abuse Team with the State Attorney and serves on the State Medical Examiners Commission.

Carol has been recognized by many organizations for her work including the Manatee Veteran’s Council for coordinating construction of the Veteran’s Monument located behind Manatee Memorial Hospital. (Carol Whitmore is the only non-veteran whose name appears on the monument). In 2012 the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team presented Carol with the Community Hero Award.

Also in 2012, the NAACP awarded Carol with the Louise Rogers Johnson Humanitarian Award (Presented during the Martin King, Jr., Banquet) and the AIDS Council awarded Carol with the Keeper of the Flame Award for her service on the first Board of Directors for the Manatee County Aids Council.

“I believe that my role as a public servant who can have a voice where others may not is what it’s all about.  Our Citizens deserve the best quality of life where they can raise their families for all to enjoy Manatee County.”

Thank you, Carol, for dedicating so much of your life to the service of others.