Helen  James, President
After 30 years of career service with the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Helen  James formed Suncoast Women of Action to help prepare the next generation of engaged citizens.

Spouse:    Dr Edward James, II (deceased)
Child:  Edward James, III
Affiliation:  New Bethel MB Church
​NAACP:        Lifetime Member
NAACP, Sarasota Branch
       Executive Board Member
       Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 Recipient
       Woman of the Year 2013 Recipient
Healthy Start of Sarasota County:        Board Member
Newtown Business Council Member
Second Chance Last Opportunity
       Former Advisory Board Member
Business and Professional Women of North Sarasota
      Woman of the Year Award 2013 Recipient

ABOUT US
Suncoast Women of Action is committed to ensuring the electoral process equally represents the rights and privileges of citizens in Sarasota and Manatee communities.  Through civic engagement, community collaborations and individual initiative, every man and woman can impact his/her own destiny-- and influence the global society.  We partner with others who are committed to inclusion, innovation and implementing positive change within communities where constitutional rights are threatened.
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Sharon Preston-Folta, ​Vice President

Sharon Preston-Folta recently retired from a forty-plus-year career in advertising sales and marketing, predominantly as an account executive in radio. Sharon became a published author with her memoir "Living in The Shadow of my Father, Louis Daniel Armstrong '' in 2012, which made public the private family life of Louis Armstrong, Lucille 'Sweets' Preston and their child, Sharon.  She's also the Executive Producer of the documentary 'Little Satchmo' based on her memoir.
She's currently a Volunteer Programmer at WSLR 96.5 LP FM in Sarasota, Florida where she resides with her husband, Howard, a musician. 

​Velinda Bowens-Coats, Chaplin​

Spouse:  Don Coats
Children:  One daughter; four grandchildren;
                    two great grandchildren 
Affiliation: Trinity Christian Fellowship Center
     Volunteer - Work & Civic Education Mentor
Employer: Sarasota County School Board
Comcast Cable -- Retiree

Evelyn B. White, ​Financial Secretary

Spouse:  James White
Children: One son & four grandchildren
​Affiliation:  Bethlehem Bible Church​
                                   * Deaconess
                                   * Women’s Ministry
​Sarasota United for Responsibility

L3 Aviation Communication -- Retiree

Judith Williams, Secretary

Child: Five grandchildren
​Affiliation: Bethlehem Bible Church
​Business owner: JD Wms Diversity Group, a Small Business Consulting Firm
Member of North County Community Coalition, a Community Organization Addressing Community Issues.
Tempo News Columnist
Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lambda Omicron Omega Chapter
Member of Gulf Coast Community Choir

Mary Butler, ​Membership Chair​

Children:    Mother of six and grandmother of
                        fourteen
Affiliation:  Bethel CME Church
   Member: 
  • Amaryllis Park Neighborhood Association, President
  • CCNA – City of Sarasota Neighborhood Associations
  • Business and Professional Women/FL
  • Newtown Business Council
  • Selby Gardens Advisory Committee
Employer:   President & CEO of Mary Butler, LLC
​Velinda Bowens-Coats, Treasurer
Spouse:  Don Coats
Children:  One daughter; four grandchildren;
                    two great grandchildren 
Affiliation: Trinity Christian Fellowship Center
     Volunteer - Work & Civic Education Mentor
Employer: Sarasota County School Board
Comcast Cable -- Retiree