Roxcy Bolton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roxcy Bolton
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Roxcy Bolton ca. 1956
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Roxcy O'Neal
June 3, 1926 Duck Hill, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Died | May 17, 2017 (aged 90) Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | Activist, feminist |
| Known for | Founder of Women in Distress |
| Spouse(s) | David Bolton (m. 1960) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Florida Women's Hall of Fame (1984) |
Roxcy Pearl O'Neal Bolton (born June 3, 1926 – died May 17, 2017) was an American activist. She worked hard for civil rights and women's rights. She helped make many important changes for women in Florida and across the United States.
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Roxcy Bolton's Early Life
Roxcy Bolton was born on June 3, 1926. Her hometown was Duck Hill, Mississippi. It was a small town with only a few hundred people. From a young age, Roxcy dreamed of becoming a Member of Congress.
After finishing high school, Roxcy moved to Miami. She married William Charles Hart. They had one son, Randall. After five years, they divorced. In Miami, Roxcy worked in an office. She also joined the Young Democrats.
In 1960, she married David Bolton. They lived in Japan and South Carolina for a while. By 1964, they settled in Coral Gables, Florida. They had three children together. Roxcy was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party her whole life.
Roxcy Bolton's Work as an Activist
Roxcy Bolton spent her life working to make things better for people. She preferred talking things out. But if that didn't work, she was ready to stand up and fight for what was right.
She became active in the 1950s. A big influence on her was Eleanor Roosevelt. Roxcy heard her speak in 1956. This inspired Roxcy to get more involved in making changes.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1966, Roxcy helped start Florida's National Organization for Women (NOW). She was the first president of the Miami chapter. In 1969, she became a national leader for NOW. That same year, she stopped restaurants from having "men only" sections.
In 1972, Roxcy started Women in Distress. This was a safe place for women who needed help. It offered shelter to women who were homeless or had been hurt. Also in 1972, she led six women to the office of the University of Miami president. They demanded that more women be promoted to leadership roles. They also asked for equal pay for women.
Roxcy also asked President Nixon to create a special day to honor women. He agreed and made August 26 Women's Equality Day. She also strongly supported the Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment aimed to make sure everyone had equal rights, no matter their gender.
Creating a Park for Women
Roxcy led the effort to create the Women's Park in Miami. It opened in 1992. This was the first outdoor space in America to honor women leaders. In 1998, Roxcy had a stroke. This made it harder for her to continue her activism.
In 1994, Roxcy gave her personal papers and photos to the State Library and Archives of Florida. Her home in Coral Gables became a Florida Heritage Landmark in 1999. In 2014, she was honored for National Women's History Month.
Roxcy Bolton also helped open the Tiger Bay Club to women. This was an important political club. She also convinced National Airlines to give pregnant flight attendants time off. Before this, they were often fired.
Roxcy fought for many different issues. These included:
- Changing hurricane names to include men's names.
- Making sure women got equal pay.
- Allowing public breastfeeding.
- Letting women join military academies.
- Stopping unfair advertising against women.
- Providing maternity leave for new mothers.
- Ending segregation.
- Getting better treatment for refugees.
Hurricane Names Change
Roxcy Bolton challenged the N.O.A.A. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). She wanted them to use men's names for hurricanes too. Since 1953, hurricanes had only been given women's names. After 26 years of this practice, and ten years after Roxcy first raised the issue, the names finally changed. The second hurricane of 1979 was named Bob. This was the first time a hurricane was named after a man.
Roxcy Bolton's Death
Roxcy Bolton passed away on May 17, 2017. She was 90 years old. She died at Doctor's Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida.
See also
In Spanish: Roxcy Bolton para niños
