TIME honors Panama City native as one of world's 100 most influential people of 2022

Ebonee Burrell, The News Herald
·3 min read
Nadine Smith serves up an inspirational speech at the Juneteenth Gospel Celebration on June 19 at Tommy Oliver Stadium. Smith was recently named by TIME magazine as one of the world's most influential people.
Nadine Smith serves up an inspirational speech at the Juneteenth Gospel Celebration on June 19 at Tommy Oliver Stadium. Smith was recently named by TIME magazine as one of the world's most influential people.
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PANAMA CITY — Bay County native Nadine Smith has used her drive and voice against discrimination to become one of the world's most influential people.

Just ask the editors of TIME magazine.

The widely-respected magazine featured Smith in its 100 Most Influential People of the Year issue on May 23.

The Rutherford High School alumna was honored for pushing for LGBTQ+ and women's reproductive rights and for speaking out against discrimination in Florida. In early June, the 2022 TIME100 Gala was held in New York City for the honorees to fellowship, and Smith described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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"I was thrilled to be in the company of people who are leading scientists and researchers in a time where we are often led by people who reject science and evidence," Smith said about the event. "It was a great honor to be a part of the recognition, and there's a tremendous amount of calculated political attacks on human rights."

Smith was profiled in a TIME column written by Kristen Arnett. She shares the TIME100 list with some of the most notable names in modern culture, including Oprah Winfrey, Rafael Nadal, Adele and Mary J. Blige. To view the full list, visit TIME100: The Most Influential People of 2022 | TIME. 

Nadine Smith, right, is shown with her wife, Andrea, and son, Logan.
Nadine Smith, right, is shown with her wife, Andrea, and son, Logan.

Smith is the executive director of Equality Florida, the state's largest organization dedicated to ending sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. She said her voice's impact on LGBTQ+ communities helps drive her to continue advocating for what's right and to give others hope for a positive future.

"It's important to see others express themselves in their hometown because people don't usually project dehumanizing stereotypes on who they know, and that's what impacts communities," Smith said. "What gives me hope is that most Americans believe that discrimination is wrong, but those who want to inflict harm hold higher power, and that's the biggest challenge we face every day."

Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, looks out a bus window on April 16, 2019, at one of the homes on Tyndall Air Force Base that was destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Smith joined Florida Chamber Foundation members and other statewide leaders on the two-day Hurricane Michael Recovery Mission.
Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, looks out a bus window on April 16, 2019, at one of the homes on Tyndall Air Force Base that was destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Smith joined Florida Chamber Foundation members and other statewide leaders on the two-day Hurricane Michael Recovery Mission.

Smith resides in the Tampa Bay area and travels locally and nationally as a public speaker to discuss topical issues at community events. Recently, she has spoken at the Juneteenth Celebration in Panama City, the National Healthcare Conference in Miami and the Women in Technology virtual conference.

Moving forward, Smith hopes to use her platforms as a way to bring more prominent changes to local communities to halt the issues they face. Smith said she plans to continue advocating for what is right and making a difference in local communities.

"We want to continue the work of building a more perfect union, ensuring justice and not allowing narrow-minded people to affect that change," Smith said. "We look at inclusion as a good thing, and so we're going to continue to work for an America in which everyone has an opportunity, a place, and the ability to pursue happiness."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: TIME: Bay County woman is one of world's 100 most influential people