The Chiles Advocate Award is named in honor of the former three-term U.S. Senator and two-term Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, and his influential First Lady, Rhea. The wisdom and experience Lawton and Rhea Chiles gleaned during his decades of public service taught them that society’s most precious natural resource – its’ children and their families – deserve the special attention of our communities and representatives in elected office. Their record of leadership crafting state and national policy, including health care access, early education, child abuse prevention, delinquency services, and family support programs is legendary, and will benefit children and their families for generations to come.

Each year, Children’s Week Florida™ presents the Chiles Advocate Award to a Floridian who has substantial experience dedicating their time, energy, and resources to advocate on issues that impact the status and well-being of children, youth, and families at the statewide or national level. This individual is one who has engaged others to promote policies and/or programs benefiting those in need. The annual award recipient may have a record of service in a professional and/or voluntary capacity.

Congratulations to our 2024 Chiles Advocate Award recipient, Dr. Phyllis Kalifeh!