Emily was the Pinellas County Coordinator from 1970 until her retirement in 2000.
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act 94-142 was enacted by the United States Congress in 1975. This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Soon after, the Pinellas County School Board created a new position — Exceptional Student Physical Education Supervisor/Special Olympics Coordinator, and Emily was selected to serve in that position.
She also served two different terms on the Special Olympics Florida Board of Directors and was the first member inducted into the Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame in 1993.
Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver was always complementary of the Pinellas County program and was grateful to them for helping to organize and sponsor the first Special Olympics National Directors Conference.
