Currently, Florida is the fourth most populated state and the fifth most dangerous, based on 2008 serious felony criminal statistics. But a certain amount of strife may be second nature to Florida. Before becoming a state, Florida was twice under the rule of Spain and also controlled once by Great Britain. After becoming a state, Florida withdrew from the union to join the Confederate States of America with other Southern states over the issue of slavery. How could women not grow strong in this historic environment?
Roxcy O’Neal Bolton (b.1926)
The Florida Memory Project lists many firsts obtained by Bolton, several bringing her national recognition:
- She fought to de-segregate the all male lunchrooms at two different department stores
- Hurricanes were all named after women – until Bolton helped change it
- Opening the Tiger Bay political club for women
- First Florida woman who joined the National Organization for Women after its inception
- The first Florida Feminist
- Founded Neighborhood Crime Watch
- Founded Women’s Park in Miami to highlight to contributions of other important women
- Rehabilitation Program for prostitutes in Miami-Dade County
- Created first rape treatment center in Miami.
Bolton also founded Women in Distress in 1972, now operated by the Salvation Army. Back in the 70’s, the organization provided assistance in lodging, legal/counseling services, and help for battered women or those suffering from substance abuse.
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955)
Bethune fought to be educated in a time when few African American children had access to books. She became a teacher, eventually opening a school of her own in Daytona for children of the African American railroad workers. Impressively working with nothing, Bethune wasn’t above going through trash cans to accumulate much needed supplies: broken chairs, dishes, and charred splinters from burnt logs that were used as pencils. Most of the building materials were donated by the families of her students.
The Daytona Normal and Industrial School for Negro Girls opened in 1904 with six students. The years went by and the school grew, merging with Cookman Institute in 1928 to become Bethune-Cookman College. Bethune was president of the college for 14 years, growing it to over 2000 students.
Thelma Ann Boltin (1904-1992)
Boltin was the first full-time speech teacher in Florida. Actively involved in folklore for over 50 years, Boltin became the director of the Stephen Foster Memorial Folk Festival after working to help build the festival for many years. She won a national award from the American Association for State and Local History, according to Florida Department of State’s State Library & Archives for “contributions to preservation and popularization of Florida folkways, folklore and folk music.”
Elizabeth McCullough Johnson (1909-1973)
Johnson was the first female elected to the Florida Senate after serving four years in the House. During her time in public office, Johnson helped establish the University of Central Florida, as well as planning and zoning systems.
Bobbie M. James (1923-1978)
James was the first historian of the Florida Republican State Committee.
For More Information on Women’s History
Important Women in California History
