The SOL has continued its tradition of paying tribute to women and girls who have made a difference in the community by honoring North Miami police officer and foster mom, Kathleen Ruggiero, as its first local SHERO of the 2002 Summer of SOL season.

Ruggiero has taken in and cared for over 77 foster children throughout the past three decades, many of whom have been physically and sexually abused. A former foster child herself, Ruggiero - who works as a detective in the North Miami Police Department’s Family Violence Unit - is currently taking care of nine foster children, in addition to her own six children. But because she refuses to take state subsidies for the children as a paid foster parent, she works approximately five additional jobs in order to meet the needs of the kids, who range in age from 19 months to 16 years. In order to pave the way for a brighter future, Ruggiero also deducts money from her paycheck and has had the state of Florida set up college funds to help pay for the children’s educational needs.