| Gayle Harrell was elected to the Senate in 2018 and has been reelected subsequently. She previously served in the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2018.
Her public service includes membership in the Florida Children & Youth Cabinet from 2010 to 2018 and the Florida Commission on the Status of Women in 2018. She also served on the Health Information Technology Policy Committee Federal Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2018, the National Governors Association State Alliance on e-Health from 2004 to 2008, and the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants & Toddlers from 2002 to 2006.
She has received numerous honors, including the Florida Children's Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award, the Florida Medical Association Legislator of the Year Award, the Florida Dental Association Dr. Lewis Earle Legislative Service Award, and the Florida Smart Justice Alliance Bishop Frank Costantino Annual Award for Legislative Excellence. Other recognitions include the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Legislator of the Year Award, the Associated Builders and Contractors Friend of Free Enterprise Award, and Legislator of the Year awards from the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and the Florida Academy of Family Physicians. She has also been recognized by the Florida Police Benevolent Association with the Distinguished Legislator Award and has received an "A" ranking from both the Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
She is affiliated with several organizations, having served as past chair of both the Hibiscus Children's Center and HPS - Helping People Succeed. She is also involved with the Education Foundation of Martin County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, and the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network.
She is a Health Information Technology Consultant and the CEO of Health IT Strategies. She has four children- Stephanie, Jennifer, Jamie, and Melinda, and eight grandchildren- James, Jupiter, Justice, Nicole, Anna, Aaron, Tyler, and Nicholas.
She earned both her M.A. in Latin American Studies and History in 1977 and her B.A. in Spanish in 1964 from the University of Florida.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, she moved to Florida in 1957. She is Presbyterian and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, watching Gator football, traveling, and politics. |