Roxcy Bolton
Encyclopedia
Roxcy O'Neal Bolton is a Florida feminist and women's rights activist.
She married Commander David Bolton U.S.N.
who later acted as president of Men for ERA.
, serving as charter president of the Miami Chapter and National Vice President in 1969. In 1969, she successfully challenged the practice that many store restaurants had of keeping a separate "men only" section. She founded Women in Distress
, a shelter
for homeless women.
In 1974 she founded the nation's first Rape Treatment Center, the first of its kind, at Jackson Memorial Hospital
in Miami, later renamed the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center in 1993. That same year she organized Florida's first Crime Watch
meeting to help stem crime against women. She was also instrumental in bringing several rape cases to the attention of the public, despite police concerns.
She challenged N.O.A.A (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to change the names of Hurricanes to include the names of men.
She was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in 1984 for "forcing police and prosecutors to make rape crime a priority". A collection of her artefacts is owned by the Museum of Florida History
. Her Coral Gables
home was dedicated as a Florida Heritage Site
in 1999.
She married Commander David Bolton U.S.N.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who later acted as president of Men for ERA.
Achievements
In 1966, Bolton helped form Florida's National Organization for WomenNational Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest feminist organization in the United States. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S...
, serving as charter president of the Miami Chapter and National Vice President in 1969. In 1969, she successfully challenged the practice that many store restaurants had of keeping a separate "men only" section. She founded Women in Distress
Women in Distress
Women in Distress is a nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center in Broward County, Florida. WID adopts a total family systems approach, and supports the inclusive model of domestic violence advocated by Stop Abuse For Everyone...
, a shelter
Women's shelter
A women's shelter is a place of temporary refuge and support for women escaping violent or abusive situations, such as rape, and domestic violence....
for homeless women.
In 1974 she founded the nation's first Rape Treatment Center, the first of its kind, at Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital and the major teaching hospital of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida...
in Miami, later renamed the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center in 1993. That same year she organized Florida's first Crime Watch
Crime Watch
Crime watch may refer to:* Crime watch or neighborhood watch, a citizens' organization devoted to crime prevention within a neighborhood* Neighbourhood Watch , neighbourhood watch in the UK* Crimewatch, a British television show on BBC One...
meeting to help stem crime against women. She was also instrumental in bringing several rape cases to the attention of the public, despite police concerns.
She challenged N.O.A.A (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to change the names of Hurricanes to include the names of men.
She was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in 1984 for "forcing police and prosecutors to make rape crime a priority". A collection of her artefacts is owned by the Museum of Florida History
Museum of Florida History
The Museum of Florida History is located at the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. It houses exhibits and artifacts with interpretive information designed to educate on Florida history and culture....
. Her Coral Gables
Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
home was dedicated as a Florida Heritage Site
Florida Heritage Landmark
A Florida Heritage Landmark is a designation given by the state of Florida that recognizes significant events, places, or people relating to architecture, history, or other Florida specific culture....
in 1999.