Women’s History Month is personal. The Synergistic family of companies — spanning real estate, property management, and community association management — is proud to be a certified Woman-Owned Business in the State of Florida, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa. This distinction reflects not just our credentials but our commitment to supporting women in our community, both past and present.
Long before Tampa Bay earned its reputation as a thriving cultural and economic hub, women were laying its foundation — brick by brick, act by act, generation by generation. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the trailblazers whose courage, vision, and tenacity shaped this region into what it is today.
Clara Frye: Healing a City Divided
In the early 1900s, Tampa’s Black residents had nowhere to turn for medical care. Clara Frye changed that. A pioneering nurse, she opened Tampa’s first hospital for Black patients from her home on Orange Avenue — charging what patients could afford and turning no one away. The hospital she built became a lifeline for an entire community and stands as a testament to what one woman’s determination can accomplish.
The Women of Ybor City: Voices That Rolled Change
In the bustling cigar factories of Ybor City, women made up a vital part of the workforce — and the resistance. Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrant women organized alongside their male counterparts, advocating for workers’ rights, mutual aid, and education. Their participation in mutual aid societies and labor movements helped forge the multicultural identity that still defines the Tampa Bay area today.
Pam Iorio: Breaking the Mayoral Ceiling
Pam Iorio: Breaking the Mayoral CeilingIn 2003, Pam Iorio became Tampa’s first female mayor — and she served two terms. Under her leadership, Tampa expanded its riverfront, improved its infrastructure, and launched initiatives that elevated the city’s national profile. Her tenure proved that inclusive, visionary leadership moves cities forward.
A Legacy Worth Carrying Forward
From boardrooms to hospital wards, from factory floors to city hall, women have always been central to Tampa Bay’s story. This March, we don’t just look back — we look forward, honoring their legacy by continuing to build a Bay Area where every woman has the opportunity to lead, contribute, and thrive.
#WomensHistoryMonth · #TampaBay · #ShapeTheBay
