Celebrating Women

Cities reinforce their commitment to female residents through recognition

by Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

Earlier this year, Florida cities joined communities across the nation in reaffirming their commitment to women’s rights. Several Florida cities celebrated women throughout March by recognizing historic achievements within their communities and among female residents who have helped advance and shape the cities over the years.

DUNEDIN MARKS HISTORIC SITE

The City of Dunedin partnered with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs North Pinellas Woman’s Club, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites to launch the first marker in Florida on the National Votes for Women Trail commemorating the history of women’s suffrage.

The Trail is a project of the NCWHS that identifies and highlights sites across the country that were integral to the suffrage movement and beyond the passage of the 19th Amendment. More than 2,000 sites are accessible on a mobile-friendly website, ncwhs.org/votes-for-women-trail, that is searchable by location, suffragist, ethnicity and other criteria.

(From left) City of Dunedin Commissioner Maureen Freaney, Vice Mayor Jeff Gow, Commissioner Deborah Kynes, Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski and Commissioner John Tornga in front of the National Votes for Women Trail marker in Dunedin.

Photo courtesy of City of Dunedin

The marker in Dunedin is a tribute to suffrage leader Elizabeth Skinner. A resident of Dunedin, Skinner was a state organizer for the women's suffrage effort in Florida. The marker was placed at the former site of Library Hall where Skinner hosted suffrage meetings and Florida Federation of Women’s Club meetings. In March, the city hosted a dedication ceremony attended by members of the community, including Skinner’s family who still live in the area.

“We couldn’t be more proud to be the first Florida city to honor the women who fought for the right to vote,” said Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski. “For generations, Dunedin has had strong women leaders. Today, all three charter officials are women as well as three of five members of our commission, including the mayor.”

EVENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Several cities celebrated women with events and proclamations for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.

City of Brooksville female employees and women in the community attended the City Council meeting where March 8 was proclaimed International Women’s Day.

Photo courtesy of City of Brooksville

The City of Brooksville issued a proclamation designating March 8 as International Women’s Day. The Brooksville City Council invited all female employees and women in the community to attend and be recognized at the March council meeting.

The Largo City Commission celebrated women with a proclamation accepted by the City of Largo’s 2021 Women’s History Month honoree, Largo Police Major Ann Starling, the first female major in the Largo Police Department.

City of Largo Police Major Ann Starling with Vice Mayor James Robinson.

Photo courtesy of City of Largo

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed March as Women’s History Month in the City of Orlando. As part of the celebration and the important contributions women have made in the Central Florida community, the city presented the film, “Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA” at the Dr. Phillips Center Frontyard Festival.

The City of Orlando presented the film, “Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA.” The City of Coral Gables highlighted 16 of the city’s female leaders on social media during Women’s History Month.

Photo courtesy of City of Orlando

The City of West Palm Beach issued a proclamation observing Women’s History Month at a City Commission meeting and hosted a monthlong series of events for adults and children including a book discussion, teen STEM workshop, movie screening, musical performance and more.

DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS SPOTLIGHT WOMEN

Cities also recognized women in their communities through digital campaigns across email, social media and the web.

The City of Coral Gables highlighted 16 of the city’s female leaders on social media. Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli alongside Miami-Dade County’s first female mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, also proclaimed Women’s History Month in Coral Gables.

The City of Coral Gables highlighted 16 of the city's female leaders on social media during Women's History Month.

Graphic courtesy of City of Coral Gables

The City of Coral Springs launched the “Her Story” campaign. Throughout March, the city highlighted five women through videos on their website and social media platforms who have made significant contributions to the Coral Springs community. The women featured were individually selected by members of the City Commission. The city also encouraged residents and local business owners to highlight other inspirational women in the community by using #HerStoryCS on social media.

The City of Coral Springs launched the Her Story campaign.

Graphic courtesy of City of Coral Springs

Throughout the month, the City of Gainesville highlighted some of the city’s female leaders behind the action through profiles featured in the GNV News emails.

The City of Miramar spotlighted female leaders who have impacted their community through videos each week in March. The effort was spearheaded by Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis to recognize the city’s female leaders and showcase their achievements and service within the community. The City Commission also created the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Commission on the Status of Women Advisory Board, sponsored by Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, to “identify and resolve economic, health and wellness, social, and all other issues concerning women’s lives through education and advocacy.”

Miramar also invited local high school students to pen an essay honoring the extraordinary achievements of American women under the theme, “Vice President Kamala D. Harris – Achievement, Opportunity, Precedence and Purpose.” Two winners were selected and recognized at a City Commission meeting in March where excerpts of their essays were read. The student winners were featured on the city’s website and social media. They also received certificates signed by city officials as well as an autographed copy of “The Ambitious Collective” written by Cultural Affairs Director Camasha Cevieux.

The Village of Palmetto Bay recognized 31 women for each day of the month via email and social media to commemorate and celebrate the role of women in the village and its history.

Kelli Gemmer is the assistant editor for the Florida League of Cities.

NLC INTERVIEWS WOMEN LEADERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The National League of Cities interviewed female leaders in local government to see what inspired them to run for elected office and what Women’s History Month means to them. Read their stories in the NLC’s blog: bit.ly/3u4oafe.

The NLC celebrates women in local government year-round through NLC’s Women In Municipal Government group. WIMG has been uniting and uplifting women in local government since 1974 and encourages women to run for office. In an article written by NLC President Kathy Maness, she said, “Women have long been underrepresented in local government. WIMG serves as a vehicle for members to discuss problems and explore solutions, debate policy issues and contribute to the success of American cities and towns.”