Charlotte E. Maguire facts for kids

Charlotte E. Maguire (born September 1, 1918 – died December 6, 2014) was a very important doctor in Florida. She was the first woman doctor in Orlando, Florida. In 1946, she opened Orlando's first children's doctor's office run by a woman.

Charlotte also helped start two major medical schools. She was a founder of the University of Florida College of Medicine. She also helped create the Florida State University College of Medicine. In 2013, she was honored as a "Great Floridian." After she passed away, she was added to the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in 2015.

About Charlotte's Early Life

Charlotte C. Edwards was born in Indiana on September 1, 1918. Her family moved to Orlando, Florida when she was young. When Charlotte was seven, her mother passed away. Her grandparents helped her father raise her.

Charlotte first wanted to study physics. She even won a scholarship to study chemistry and physics in Germany. But in 1938, because of World War II, her father made her come back home. She then went to Memphis State Teacher's College and finished in 1940. To pay for school, she worked as a switchboard operator.

After college, she wanted to go to medical school. She was accepted at first, but then told she couldn't come. This was because it was hard for women to get into medical school back then. Luckily, her grandfather helped her get into the University of Arkansas. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1944. Then, she returned to Orlando.

Charlotte's Amazing Career

In Orlando, Charlotte Edwards became the first woman doctor at Orange General Hospital. Just two years later, in 1946, she opened her own office. It was the first private children's doctor's office run by a woman in Orlando. She helped children with disabilities. She also gave free care to families who couldn't pay.

Because she was a new doctor, she was chosen for a special committee. She was the only woman on the team that helped create the medical college at the University of Florida. In 1947, she became the chief of staff for the Children's Home Society in Central Florida. In 1948, she married Raymer Francis Maguire Sr., a lawyer.

The next year, Charlotte Maguire became the director of the Children's Health Clinic of Orlando. In 1952, she made history again. She became the first woman president of the Florida Pediatric Society.

Charlotte continued her important work throughout the 1950s. In 1957, she went to London for the World Health Conference. In 1960, her husband passed away. She was left with his citrus farm business. So, she went back to school to learn how to manage the farms. She earned a special certificate from Florida Southern College.

From 1965 to 1968, she was the chief of the pediatrics department at Mercy Hospital in Orlando. After that, she closed her private practice. She also stopped actively managing the citrus farm. She moved to Tallahassee, Florida to lead the Florida Crippled Children's Commission.

In the 1970s, she worked for the government in Atlanta. She was an assistant secretary for health and science. But in 1975, she came back to Florida. She became the medical services coordinator in Tallahassee. From 1980 to 1987, she worked at the University of Florida in the pediatrics department. She retired in 1988.

Giving Back: Charlotte's Philanthropy

Charlotte Maguire loved to help others. In 1999, she gave $1 million to Florida State University (FSU). This money helped create a special teaching position in medical sciences. The next year, she strongly supported starting a medical school at FSU.

FSU opened its medical school in 2000. On February 14, 2002, Charlotte received an honorary degree from FSU. In 2004, she gave two students full scholarships to FSU. The next year, she gave another $1 million. This money helped create a program for older adults. FSU also named their medical library "The Charlotte Edwards Maguire Medical Library" in her honor.

In 2010, she donated $1 million to the retirement home where she lived. This money created the Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning. It has an auditorium, a computer lab, and a virtual library. She also started a scholarship fund. This fund helps the home's employees get more nursing education.

In 2013, Governor Rick Scott honored Charlotte. He gave her the title "Great Floridian" at FSU's College of Medicine.

Charlotte Maguire passed away on December 6, 2014, in Tallahassee. In 2015, she was added to the Florida Women's Hall of Fame.