Name: Michelle Bedoya Barnett
Age: 31
Family: Husband Richard and 4 1/2 month old son Rawls
Pets: Do my husband and son not count? They are both cute and cuddly!
Education: Vanderbilt Law School, University of Florida, B.S. in Finance.
Admitted to the Bar: 2004
Employed by: Holland & Knight
Field of practice: Labor and Employment Law
Professional organizations: Jacksonville Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors, Board Member
Community involvement: Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Board Member
How did you get involved?
I was recently nominated and accepted. I love being involved in my community and took a bit of a hiatus last year while I was pregnant and also traveling a lot for work. Girl Scouts is an organization that I was a part of while I was growing up in Lake City and one which I believe has served a great purpose in my life and in the lives of millions of other women.
How can someone else get involved?
The Girl Scouts is always looking for volunteers at every level. The number of troops the Girl Scouts has is driven by the number of troop leaders. On a yearly basis, the Gateway Council hosts the Women of Distinction luncheon which was March 31st at the Hyatt hotel in which six local women whose accomplishments in careers and community service exemplify the values of Girl Scouts. This event is open to the public and proceeds from the Women of Distinction Luncheon help provide the Girl Scout program to area girls. Of course, the organization is always looking for donors big and small.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned a lot in a very short time. For starters, the second Girl Scout troop in the country was started in Jacksonville. The Gateway Council will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012. This is a very exciting time in the organization for many reasons not the least of which is that the construction of North Fork Camp, a 250 acre property bordering Black Creek in Clay County is well underway.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“What to Expect the First Year.” I read the chapter relevant to my son’s age every night and sometimes in the morning.