As a part of Women’s History Month we celebrate women from Jacksonville Florida who have made history. The 10 African American women highlighted in this article are Jacksonville natives, residents or accomplished high achievement within the city. They exemplify resilience, determination and changed history from the profession of academia to politics.
Founding member of Delta Sigma Theta and only Jacksonville resident to be an original member of a Black Greek Letter organization. Alexander was a long time member of the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter.Chandra “Cheese” Cheesborough
Jacksonville Olympian and 1st woman to ever win 3 gold medals in track and field. Entering Jean Ribault High School as a 10th-grader in 1975, really at the dawn of high school girls’ sports, Cheeseborough became the nation’s best prep sprinter and won the first 2 of 7 Florida state titles in the 100, 200 and long jump.
Dr. Johnetta B. Cole
Dr. Johnetta B. Cole was the first African American woman to become president of Spelman College. (2002 – 2007). She is an anthropologist, educator and museum director.
Barbara Darby
First African American female President of the North Campus of Florida State College of Jacksonville.
Presiding Elder, Elizabeth Yates
First female Presiding Elder of the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
Brenda Jackson was the first African American woman to be named to the New York Times best seller list and USA Today’s bestselling books for romance novels.
Cynthia May
Cynthia May is the first African American to win the title of Homecoming Queen of the University of Florida in 1973.
Rita Carter Perry
Rita Carter Perry is the first African American founding woman publisher of a weekly newspaper, The Jacksonville Free Press in Jacksonville and Florida.
Mary Littlejohn Singleton
Mary Littlejohn Singleton was the first woman from North Florida to be elected to the Florida Legislature (1972-1976); First African American Director of the Division of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State and the first woman from Duval County to serve on the Florida state cabinet (1976). She was also the first woman to run for Lt. Governor in 1978.
Norma Solomon White
Norma Solomon White is the first African American from Jacksonville to be elected as International President of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. (1998 – 2002)
Guest editorial by Jada Wright-Greene.
https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/10-african-american-women-trailblazers-in-jacksonville/
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