Trailblazing Women of Clearwater: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Nominate our 2026 Recipients

We’re proud to announce Trailblazing Women of Clearwater 2026, an exhibit at the Clearwater Historical Museum celebrating the remarkable women who shaped our community — and those who continue to lead it forward.

Help us honor the legacy of Clearwater’s women and their impact on our lives today. Whether you’re a longtime resident or recent visitor, we invite you to nominate the next Clearwater Historical Society’s Trailblazing Woman.

Please download the following nomination form and submit it by October 1st.

CHS 7th WHME Nomination 2026

Exhibit runs May 16 – June 28
Wed. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Presented by Clearwater High School’s Rho Kappa Honor Society Teen Advisory Board. This remarkable exhibit is the culmination of months of dedication. The Rho Kappa students conducted in-depth research, raised funds, conducted interviews, and designed this display to honor an extraordinary tradition—celebrating the alumni who returned to their Alma Mater to inspire and mentor the next generation of Tornados. Together with Mrs. Hipple, the students have captured the spirit of Clearwater High School, a place cherished by all who walk its halls, where memories are made and passed on. On Friday May 16th Charley Belcher from Fox 13 will stop by and check out the exhibit with the Rho Kappa Teen Advisory Board.

Update: The Clearwater Historical Society Hometown Hero banners will be on display Sunday May 25 and Monday May 26th at Crest Lake Park.
They will also be on display in front of the Museum Wed. – Sat,  May 21 – 24 and again Wed.- Sat, May 28-31

In 2025, the Clearwater Historical Society Museum will host an exhibit honoring the men and women from the area who have served in all branches of the military. We invite community members to sponsor a flag for a military service member, whether it be a family member or someone you know. These flags will be displayed on Memorial Day and again during the exhibit. The flags will be standard-sized with metal posts. For a donation of $100, we will order the flag and display it at the museum. Applications can be submitted below or in person at the museum. At the conclusion of the events, the flags will be returned to the families.

Win One of Two Original Roger Bansemer Paintings

Come into the museum to enjoy the exhibit! While you’re here purchase raffle tickets to win one of the two painting Roger Bansemer donated to raise funds for both the Museum and Clearwater Arts Alliance. Enjoy all the works of Florida’s Newest inductee into the Florida Arts Hall of Fame!

The Clearwater Historical Society’s Women’s History Month Exhibition Committee announces the Ruth & JO Stone Foundation as Presenting Sponsor for the 5th Anniversary celebration and exhibition honoring an impressive list of TRAILBLAZERS 2024:

1) Karleen F. DeBlaker, deceased. Politician, advocate & community leader

2) Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer, teacher and environmentalist

3) Anne McKay Garris, Publisher of Beach Views, author editor, author and advocate

4) Kellis Jean Milner Glenn, trailblazing teacher in Pinellas County Schools.

5) Jeannie Shapiro, Executive Director, Clearwater Free Clinic and community leader

6) Barbara Sorey-Love, Publisher, Long Beach Times & St. Pete Bulletin, and community advocate.

7) Margaret Word-Burnside, Publisher and writer, Tampa Bay Magazine and community leader

The exhibit will also honor TRAILBLAZERS since 2020:

2020 Mary Lou Baker, Jean Lester Bennett, Jenny Plumb, Jai Hinson, Arabella Williams Faust, Zena Lansky, Betty Wickman McGraw Perkins and Christine Wigfall Morris.
2021 Willa Carson, Ruth Eckerd, Barb Green, Cherry Harris, Blanche Littlejohn, Sallie Parks, Ruth Payne Stone, Jean Rees Homer, Peggy Word and dedicated to Suzanne Ruley.
2022 Phyllis Bayly Jones, Katherine H. Biddle, Isay M. Gulley, Mayme Weaver Hodges, Dorothy Judith Lutz, Betty J. Perry, Karen Seel, and Jessie Lee Wilder Thacker.
2023 Maria Nieves Edmonds, Julie Scales, Nicole Stott, Gertrude Josephine Warnick and dedicated to Sallie Parks (2021)

This year the Clearwater Historical Society, the City of Clearwater and The Public Arts Committee installed a Mural at the Museum. It was completed in March 2022. Designed by Tim Boatright and painted by The Vitale Brothers, it’s a stunning work of art that honors key figures and highlights features of living in our beautiful city. Watch the video to learn the history behind the mural.

Through photos, stories, interviews and memorabilia the history and the entrepreneurs who launched Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber, Capogna’s Dugout, Chief Charley’s, the Circus Cafeteria, Frenchy’s Restaurants, Hooters, The Kapok Tree Inn, Lenny’s, O’Keefe’s, Pelican, Palm Pavilion, Siple’s Garden Seat, Tio Pepe, Young’s Pit Bar-B-Q and many more are discovered.

These restaurants were places where memories were made by honeymooners, vacationers, newly graduated and engaged. Many have been frequented by famous patrons, baseball players and movie stars. Ask a local about their special restaurant and Let’s Eat will have identified it. Bump into anyone who has visited here and they will recall how they loved the sun, the beach and name their favorite restaurant.

The local restaurant entrepreneurs had a vision for what makes a great restaurant: good food, fun and customer service . Many have passed on but their children and grandchildren continue their legacy, locally and internationally. Let’s Eat! focuses on their journey through setbacks, hurricanes, recessions and generations of patrons who kept coming back for more.

Let’s Eat! An Exhibit of Favorite Local Restaurants
September 24 to Mid-February, 2022
Open Friday and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Monday to Thursday by appointment, call 727-754-8019
Clearwater Historical Society Museum & Cultural Center
610 Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater FL 33756