News Release Header
For Immediate Release:
May 30, 2014
Media Contact:
Laura Phillips
[email protected]
305-755-7842

Miami-Dade County Parks Hosts Community Celebration Honoring the Women's Park Founder Roxcy O'neal


(MIAMI, May 30, 2014) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will host a free event at The Women’s Park on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., commemorating park founder Roxcy O’Neal Bolton as a 2014 National Women’s History Project (NWHP) Award recipient.  The event will be held in conjunction with Roxcy’s 88th birthday and is being sponsored by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in partnership with Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, Miami-Dade County District 10 Commissioner Senator Javier D. Souto, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, and The Women’s Park Founders Committee.  Roxcy will be joined by family and friends for the celebration.  As part of the festivities, citizens will have an opportunity to hear from noted local and national citizens about Roxcy’s many accomplishments over the years.

Roxcy received the distinction as a 2014 NWHP award recipient during a gala held in Washington, D.C., on March 27, as a National Women’s History Month observance.  The theme of the 2014 NWHP awards was “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment".

Founded in 1980, NWHP is an educational non-profit organization, whose mission is to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs. 

The Women’s Park is located at 10251 W. Flagler Street (Luisa Garcia-Toledo Blvd.) in Miami. For directions and more information visit www.miamidade.gov/parks, or call the park at (305) 480-1717.

WHO: The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, Miami-Dade County District 10 Commissioner Senator Javier D. Souto, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, and The Women’s Park Founders Committee. 

WHAT: A free community celebration honoring The Women’s Park Founder Roxcy O’Neal Bolton as a “2014 National Women’s History Project Award” recipient on her 88th  birthday. 

WHERE: The Women’s Park, 10251 W. Flagler Street (Luisa Garcia-Toledo Blvd.), Miami

WHEN: Tuesday, June 3, 2014, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

About The Women’s Park

A Miami-Dade County park founded June 16, 1992, was the first park dedicated to women in the United States. It was created to honor all women past, present, and future for their contributions to the betterment of the quality of life in Miami-Dade County. Members of the original Women’s Park Founders Committee include Roxcy O’Neal Bolton (“Mother of the Park”), Bonnie Lano Rippingille, Molly Turner, Teresa Zorilla Clark, Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Leona H. Cooper, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, and Silvia Unzueta, as well as the late Elaine Gordon, Monna Lighte, and Helen Miller.