By: Sharon Aron Baron
A woman that fell to her death from a Fort Lauderdale condo yesterday was confirmed to be a former tennis pro and candidate for School Board Rochelle “Shelly” Solomon.
According to the Sun Sentinel, who did not have the identity of the woman, Solomon died Tuesday afternoon after falling 15 stories from the roof of the Marine Tower Condominiums on Las Olas Boulevard.
Authorities at the scene initially said the body was of a construction worker, but executives at Delray Beach-based Carousel Development & Restoration told Local 10 News they did not employ any women as construction workers.
An on-site supervisor for the company claimed the woman jumped off the roof and landed on the scaffolding below.
Originally from Washington, D.C., she had been living in Florida full-time since she was 11. In college, she was an All-American tennis player, having won the NCAA team championship, then turned professional in 1982. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science, then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Nova University Law School.
After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992, Solomon became an Assistant State Attorney for Broward County. She then went on to become a Partner and Of Counsel for a Coral Springs law firm and a volunteer for Legal Aid Services.
Solomon is the mother of four children: Lexi, Jake, and twins Adam and Ashley.
Solomon wanted her legacy to be a role model and mentor for the youth, instilling respect, responsibility, and leadership skills.
Through her law, community service, and advocacy, she is a grassroots team player. Shelly was a Certified Life Coach and a Mental Toughness Coach. She was a member of many Broward County Bar Association Sections and on the Legislative Affairs Committee, a member of the Broward County Women’s Lawyer Association, and was honored to contribute her legal, leadership, and mentoring skills to the KDA Foundation.
One of Solomon’s passions before running for office was anti-bullying. She became co-chair of the Broward School District’s Anti-Bullying Task Force, where her efforts led to the adoption of the School District’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
“Bullying greatly affects how kids do at school,” said Solomon. “I see such a lack of respect (between others). I see it with kids and adults. If left unchecked, we’re going to see more incidents of suicide rising. We have to start educating children early.”
Solomon ran for Broward County School Board in 2012 in District Four which covered Parkland, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Margate, and North Lauderdale. She placed second in the primary out of six candidates but lost to Abby Freedman in the November election.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I helped Solomon initially with her 2012 School Board campaign with media and photography. I am saddened for her four children, that have lost an incredible mother.