Dottie Berger MacKinnon (1942–2013) was a lifelong children's advocate who raised millions to establish safe havens for at-risk kids.[1] She was a Hillsborough County Commissioner from 1994–1998, serving as its chairman from 1996–1997.[2] She was the co-founder of Joshua House and Friends of Joshua House in 1992,[3] a temporary safe location in Lutz for abused and unwanted children.[4] She helped to create a $1.2 million endowment to ensure that it continues.[5] She also established A Kid's Place in 2009, a 60-bed temporary location for foster-care to help siblings to stay together. She was on the board of directors at Tampa General Hospital from 2000 to 2007.[1] On May 4, 2011, she received the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award by the Hillsborough County Commissioners.[2] She also received the annual award that year from Hood Simply Smart Milk and the League of Women Voters.[3] In 2012, she received the “Woman of Influence Award” from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.[6] In 2013, she was posthumously inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Guzzo, Paul (13 October 2013). "Dottie Berger MacKinnon, child advocate, dies at 71". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  2. ^ a b "Dottie Berger MacKinnon - Florida Women's Hall of Fame". Florida Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  3. ^ a b Meacham, Andrew (13 October 2013). "Tireless children's advocate Dottie Berger MacKinnon dies at 71". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2019-12-26.((cite news)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Beisel, Jason (2013-10-13). "Dottie Berger Mackinnon, a woman dedicated to helping kids, loses her battle with cancer". WFTS. Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  5. ^ "Dottie Berger MacKinnon Is Honored For Making A Difference In Tampa Bay". Osprey Observer. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  6. ^ Cashill, Margaret (2012-04-26). "Chamber names Dottie Berger MacKinnon 'Woman of Influence'". bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  7. ^ WFTS Staff (2013-12-20). "Child Advocate Dottie Berger MacKinnon to be inducted into FL Women's Hall of Fame". WFTS. Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2018-08-13.


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