Extended Indefinitely

In honor of Women’s History Month, 2020, the exhibit highlights eight women who made a significant impact to the greater good in Clearwater, Pinellas County and the nation. They were the first in their actions, their time in history, their profession or accomplishments. Each forged new territory and led the way for others to follow. Photos, archives, videos and artifacts capture 100 years of individual contributions, challenges and triumphs.

Jennie Plumb was the first teacher in Clearwater and the daughter of Ralph and Florence Plumb. They purchased a former hardware store building in 1900 and raised their four daughters, Kathleen, Mary, Myrtle and Jennie there. The Plumb House, a traditional Florida Cracker home, eventually became the first museum site for the Clearwater Historical Society and stands as a tribute to one of the early families in Clearwater.

Christine Wigfall Morris was the first Black Librarian in Clearwater, serving the community for 65 years. A graduate of the segregated Pinellas High School and Bethune – Cookman College, she studied home economics and English. In 1949, she ran the “Negro Library” in the North Greenwood Neighborhood. Despite dismal amenities she turned a one room building and 5,000 used, donated books into a place for learning and worked double shifts for the new library, built in 1962. Her commitment to providing a safe neighborhood, reading, education, voter registration and programs to earn a GED inspired generations of children. Her African American book acquisitions continue to expand and are recognized and supported Christine Wigfall Morris Collection Fund.

Mary Louise Baker believed women were men’s equals. A graduate of Clearwater High School, Florida Southern College in Lakeland and Stetson Law where she was awarded her Juris Doctor. She maintained her maiden name after marriage, was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1942 and was the second woman to serve in the state house. She championed women’s rights to serve on juries and to own property (even after marriage). She was unsuccessful in securing women’s place on juries but succeeded in passing the Married Women’s Rights Bill to allow women to own property, to sue and to be sued, and to execute and convey documents. After winning re-election in 1944 she announced she was pregnant in her victory speech and during the 1945 legislative session told a reporter that she hoped her son would one day attend a co-educational college. Ms. Baker was defeated in 1946 and went on to practice law in Pinellas County.

Arabella Williams Faust, November 1887 – February 1969, taught school in Pinellas County for 39 years and served as Principal at Williams Elementary, named after her. She was a Deaconess and Sunday School teacher at Mt Carmel Church Progressive Church, President of Senior Missionary Society, member of St. John Helping Hand Society, Lily White Lodge 43, Pinellas County Teachers Association, Principal’s Association: National Education Association: Florida Education Association: Florida State Teachers Association and Pinellas County Principal’s Association of FEA.

Betty Wickman McGraw Perkins, 1918 – June 24, 2016, earned a B.S. in Psychology from Northwestern University, gained her private pilot’s license and was 2nd Lt. of the Civil Air Patrol of Birmingham, MI, before moving to Florida. With husband Carl built Gulf Coast Motor Line and Clearwater Transit, serving Clearwater area from 1943 – 1970. Betty owned Clearwater/Tarpon Springs KOA was a member of Clearwater Yacht Club and Carlouel Yacht Club, taught Red Cross and Boating Safety, City of Clearwater Recreation Programs and the Marine Scouts. She was a charter member of the Fort Harrison Questers, Donald Roebling Society, Clearwater Historical Society, Windjammers, Windlasses, Scout Eagle Pack and Clearwater Marine Aquarium. A long time Rotarian she became a member of the Fellowship of Flying Rotarians and Yachting Rotarians. She established the Wickman Library at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, served on boards and committees: The Elks, Clearwater Concert Association, YWCA, and YMCA, Casado, Abilities Guild, Clearwater Yacht Club, Old Clearwater Neighborhood Association, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Aviation Committee Chairman, Marine Committee Chairman, Florida Blood Services, Ninety-Nine’s, AOPA, Grasshoppers, Powder Puff Derby, Silver Wings, and Power Squadron.

Jai Hinson started her career as a professional dancer in New York. A family visit to Clearwater led her to Florida and Springfield College, Tampa, where she received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in human services administration. The Founder and Executive Arts Director of Artz 4 Life Academy in Clearwater Mrs. Hinson inspires students through dance, theater and Ballet. A cancer survivor she refocused her life to positivity, music and helping children. Her community work and inspiration to others has been recognized with many Awards: Bank of America Hero Award; The Delta Sorority Art and Letter Award; 1st Lady award at the Curtis F Woodson Museum; 2014 Women of Distinction; Boys and Girls Club Award for Arts & Culture; NAACP Peoples Choice award.

Dr. Zena Lansky never imagined how difficult her journey to become a doctor would be as a woman in the late 60’s. Despite enormous challenges entering a male dominated profession she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School where 0-1 women were admitted. At Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, she did her internship amid resistant male leadership, then went to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. She was the first woman Chief Surgical Resident at Bellevue Hospital, the first female surgeon at Morton Plant Hospital and the first and only woman to be named Chief of Surgery. Dr. Lansky was the first Board Certified female general surgeon in the state of Florida and is renowned for establishing a national patient nutrition program and inventing the first PEG/ procedure that keeps nutritionally challenged patients alive all over the world. Dr. Lansky has received many awards including: AFP Philanthropist of the Year, Jewish Museum of Florida’s Breaking Glass Ceiling Award, NSAL Arts Award , USF Award for advancement of women in surgery, the Tampa Bay Business Journal Health Care Hero Award, the Tree of Life Award for community involvement and dedication to American Israeli friendship.

Dr. Jean Lester Bennett graduated in the top ten percent of her class and was the first woman to graduate from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville in 1960. In 1963 she established a pediatric practice in Clearwater, the only female pediatrician in the area with a solo practice. She was the first woman to serve as chief of staff at Morton F. Plant Hospital in Clearwater, and the first woman to chair the hospital’s department of pediatrics. Dr. Jean, as she was known to her patients, practiced medicine and took care of generations of “Bennett Babies” with her soft southern drawl, home-grown wisdom and compassion.