In recognition of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, the Treasure Coast Newspapers have celebrated the noteworthy contributions of six remarkable women who resided on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Their legacies extend beyond regional boundaries, marking significant milestones in history and imparting influential impacts across various sectors.
Betty Mae “Potackee” Tiger Jumper
Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, born on April 27, 1923, was a groundbreaking leader within the Seminole Tribe of Florida, becoming the tribe’s first female chairperson. Despite facing racial segregation challenges in South Florida, Jumper persevered to graduate from high school and obtain a nursing certificate. She made significant advancements in healthcare and education for the Seminole community. Elected as the tribe’s chairperson in 1967, she was an advocate for financial and educational progress. Her efforts were acknowledged with an honorary doctorate from Florida State University in 1994. Her legacy endures with the Betty Mae Jumper Medical Center, established in Hollywood in 2020 after her passing in 2011.
Frances Langford
Frances Langford, a celebrated singer and actress, was a resident of Jensen Beach for over sixty years. Known for her performances on Bob Hope’s radio programs and her role as an Armed Forces entertainer during World War II, Langford was deeply embedded in her community. She supported numerous local organizations and initiatives, contributing to the founding of the Frances Langford Heart Center and assisting Martin County High School’s band. Her dedication to her community continued until her death in 2005 at the age of 92.
Laura Riding Jackson
Laura Riding Jackson, a distinguished poet and critic, lived in Wabasso for 48 years until her death in 1991. A member of “The Fugitives” literary group, she made notable contributions to literary criticism. Her residence in Wabasso has been preserved as a site for literary and historical study, with her literary legacy maintained at the Indian River State College Mueller Campus.
Lucia Zora
Lucia Zora, a fearless circus performer renowned for her work with elephants and big cats, was once acclaimed as the “bravest woman in the world.” She retired to Fort Pierce to look after her mother following a celebrated circus career. She shares her final resting place with her parents, in a grave that overlooks the Indian River Lagoon.
Zena M. Dreier
Zena M. Dreier was a pioneering figure in the suffrage movement, becoming the first woman in the South to legally vote before the 19th Amendment was enacted nationwide. Living in Fellsmere, she took advantage of a progressive city charter that permitted women to vote, marking a substantial advancement for women’s rights.
Zora Neale Hurston
A celebrated icon of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston spent her final years in Fort Pierce. Despite financial hardships, Hurston’s influential works, such as “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” continue to resonate globally. She was posthumously honored, with her contributions remembered through the Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail in Fort Pierce.
These women have left lasting marks on the communities of the Treasure Coast and beyond, each playing a vital role in their respective fields. The Treasure Coast remains devoted to honoring their legacies, ensuring their stories and achievements continue to inspire generations to come.
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