[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2047]]



                      HONORING ROXCY O'NEAL BOLTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 2000

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to honor Roxcy 
O'Neal Bolton, a pioneer feminist in my congressional district, who 
championed the rights of women by widening the gate to equality.
  Born in Mississippi in 1926, Roxcy Bolton has always been a 
trailblazer. She was a persistent advocate who served as a powerful 
voice for women whose needs were not being addressed.
  Through her actions, Roxcy demonstrated her courage and conviction. 
She showcased the problems facing the women of her time, and encouraged 
them to take action and expand the fight for equal rights.
  In South Florida, Roxcy's plight for equality helped to facilitate 
change. In the workplace, Roxcy demanded equal respect, equal 
opportunity and equal pay for men and women. In dining clubs, as was 
the custom of the time, working men had special dining areas. During 
business day lunch hours, men were seated and served quickly while 
women, and even working women with short lunch hours, had to wait in 
line, looking at empty seats in the men's section. By writing letters, 
meeting with restauranteurs, and organizing women, Roxcy Bolton changed 
this policy and, soon, the ``men only'' policy became obsolete.
  Roxcy was also a fighter on behalf of abused women. In 1972, she 
founded Women in Distress, the first women's rescue shelter in Florida 
to provide emergency housing, rescue services, and care to women who 
found themselves in situations of personal crisis. During that time, no 
one talked about rape, much less did anything about it. Brave victims 
who actually reported their trauma were often treated callously. Roxcy 
was not afraid to speak on behalf of these women, and she did so 
publicly with a march against rape down Flagler Street in downtown 
Miami. Approximately 100 women gathered to march with Roxcy to make the 
community take notice of their concerns. It was the first time women 
had taken to the streets, and Roxcy knew that if women banded together 
they were going to make a difference. Shortly thereafter, Roxcy 
approached every local official and persuaded them that something had 
to be done. In 1972, her efforts resulted in the first Rape Treatment 
Center in the country located in my congressional district at Jackson 
Memorial Hospital in Miami. In 1993, this Rape Treatment Center was 
named after Roxcy Bolton.
  Roxcy also organized Florida's first Crime Watch meeting to help curb 
crime against women. She has served on many boards and commissions 
working for women's rights, and has been the recipient of numerous 
civic awards relating to her work with women's rights.
  In 1992, she helped form the Women's Park, the first park in the 
United States dedicated to all women who have made contributions to our 
community.
  Roxcy continues to be a champion for womankind. She continues to 
preserve and recognize women's role in history, and fight for human 
rights, social welfare issues, and an end to sexual discrimination in 
employment and in education.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have Roxcy O'Neal Bolton in my 
congressional district, and I wish her many more successful years in 
the ongoing struggle for women's issues. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in saluting this Florida heroine for her remarkable dedication to women 
and for making South Florida a better place to live.

                          ____________________