“Empowering Waves: How Miami’s Trailblazing Women have Encouraged Voter Outcome”
By: Damian Arroyo-Fuentes, Emely Cajias, Isabella Nunez Callejas, and Marian Estevez
Women in South Florida have been evolving the history of suffrage since July of 1848.
Many trailblazing women not only shaped the state’s narrative but also left an indelible mark on the national suffrage movement.
Trailblazing women like Roxcy Bolton, Polita Grau, Julia DeForest Tuttle, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Mary Athalie Range, and May Mann Jennings stand as strong forces for activism in South Florida. Bolton broke gender barriers; Grau’s political dedication resonated through exile and Operation Pedro Pan; Tuttle shaped Miami’s growth; Douglas bridged environmentalism and suffrage; Range shattered racial barriers; and Jennings wielded political expertise for suffrage, conservation, and prohibition.
Bolton was the driving force behind the designation of August 26 as Women’s Equality Day observed on August 26th. The celebration commemorates the monumental 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment, a cornerstone in the fight for women’s voting rights. The ensuing decades witnessed dynamic shifts in women’s civic engagement, from the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s to the establishment of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues in the 1970s.
The 1980s marked the beginning of the gender realignment of American politics, while the 1990s, termed “The Year of the Woman,” saw substantial strides in women’s representation and legislation. The 2000s and 2010s witnessed widening gender voting gaps, historic elections, and increased challenges to voting rights. Despite barriers, the 2010s saw a surge in women’s political participation, earning the moniker “The Year of the Woman” in 2018.
As these remarkable women played pivotal roles in shaping Florida’s suffrage narrative, their efforts were complemented by a broader societal shift. Our team found registration statistics for Dade County records from 1950 to 2000 in the Miami-Dade electoral statistics archive. We saw how women who voted in Miami-Dade rapidly grew and surpassed men who voted in Miami-Dade throughout the years. From 1964 to 1996, the number of female voters in Miami-Dade County witnessed exponential growth, reflecting a gradual but significant increase in female political engagement. This demographic shift adds another layer to the evolving tapestry of women’s participation in shaping the political landscape of Miami-Dade County.
Our team also found historically reported voting rates based on sex from 1964 and 2022 from the U.S. Census. We noticed the percentages increase over time for women and decrease for men. This is largely due to the increase in women’s rights and the fact that women are starting to cast more votes in the polls. According to the U.S. Census, women in 2022 increased by 20.4% since the case vote in 1964. This difference showcases the evolution of women’s rights and helps voting outcomes.
One of the most historical destinations in Coral Gables is Rocxy Bolton’s home, also known as the headquarters, where she would organize rallies and marches. She also helps with meetings to establish Women in Distress to bring public attention to women with special needs. This map not only locates Rocxy’s home but also many other popular Miami-Dade historic landmarks that can be found around the home as well.
In conclusion, the history of suffrage in Miami-Dade, driven by inspirational women like Roxcy Bolton, has left a mark on the community. From the election of Women’s Equality Day to the exponential growth in female voters to male voters throughout the years, the suffrage movement is reshaping society. As the years go on, we hope to continue to see an advance in equality and showcase the impact of women’s participation.
