Coral Gables Section in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Women Take Action in Coral Gables
The Roxcy O'Neal Bolton House 1965-1988
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 10, 2014
1. Women Take Action in Coral Gables Marker
Inscription.
Women Take Action in Coral Gables. The Roxcy O'Neal Bolton House 1965-1988. Built in 1933, this Mediterranean Revival house is a contributing structure in the Coral Gables Plantation Historic District, one of the earliest developments in the city planned by George Merrick. Throughout the late 1960s and the 1970s, this house became a meeting place for those who campaigned for equal rights for women. Resident and pioneer feminist Roxcy O’Neal Bolton opened her home as headquarters to organize numerous rallies and marches and founded the Miami Dade Chapter of the National Organization for Women. In an effort to bring public attention to the special needs of women, organizational meetings were held in this house to establish Women in Distress, the first women’s rescue shelter in Florida, and the Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Community meetings were also held here to create the Citizen’s Crime Watch of Dade County, one of the first of its kind in the country. Under Roxcy Bolton’s leadership, the perseverance of all those who volunteered their time here created a forceful voice for justice for those who would otherwise not be heard.
Built in 1933, this Mediterranean Revival house is a contributing structure in the Coral Gables Plantation Historic District, one of the earliest developments in the city planned by George Merrick. Throughout the late 1960s and the 1970s, this house became a meeting place for those who campaigned for equal rights for women. Resident and pioneer feminist Roxcy O’Neal Bolton opened her home as headquarters to organize numerous rallies and marches and founded the Miami Dade Chapter of the National Organization for Women. In an effort to bring public attention to the special needs of women, organizational meetings were held in this house to establish Women in Distress, the first women’s rescue shelter in Florida, and the Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Community meetings were also held here to create the Citizen’s Crime Watch of Dade County, one of the first of its kind in the country. Under Roxcy Bolton’s leadership, the perseverance of all those who volunteered their time here created a forceful voice for justice for those who would otherwise not be heard.
Erected 1999 by Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-409.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights
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• Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 25° 45.226′ N, 80° 16.924′ W. Marker is in Coral Gables, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in the Coral Gables Section. Marker is at the intersection of Alhambra Circle and Madrid Street, on the right when traveling east on Alhambra Circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Miami FL 33134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
