Famous Florida Women Who Shaped the State

by David Payne
(Goldenrod, the cultural hub of the Occident)

Having grown up about six miles from Eatonville in Goldenrod, and having been active in the Civil Rights movement, I have long been aware of Zora Neale Hurston. And growing up a bit closer to Paula Hawkins' hometown of Maitland, I followed her career in the U.S. Senate. As a teacher with students who went on to Bethune-Cookman University, I also delved into the history of Mary McLeod Bethune. I also followed the wonderful work of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, especially on behalf of the Everglades. And I drive over the Marjorie Harris Carr Greenway to and from Jacksonville each week. I followed the work of her husband Archie Carr. I remember well Janet Reno's stellar career, which included dealing with a couple of very difficult issues, as the first female Attorney General of the United States. And who doesn't know about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and The Yearling, which I related very strongly to when I read it as a child who grew up in the rural Central Florida of the forties and fifties. There are some on this list I did not know were born or in some significant way were connected to Florida, in particular Harriet Beecher Stowe. I lived in Mandarin for a brief period, but did not know she spent many winters there, although anyone who has been along the river in Mandarin understands why.
This was an especially enjoyable post. Thank you, Mike Miller, for posting it.

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