tb-two* staff

Marjory Stoneman Douglas
In 1917, the future influential environmentalist and author of The Everglades: River of Grass lobbied the Florida House to ratify the 19th Amendment, to give women the right to vote. She had to hold her skirt close to avoid the ubiquitous spittoons on the floor. Florida declined, though fortunately enough other states prevailed.
 

Lois Frankel
The longtime Florida legislator and current U.S. House member is known for legislation that is friendly to the needs of children, women and LGBT individuals.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Current U.S. House member and leader of the Democratic National Committee, she became a member of the Florida Legislature at age 26, working for gender equity and other changes, including making sure the politicians in the freshman caucus paid for their own breakfasts.

Helen Gordon Davis (pictured)
This longtime Florida legislator fought hard and vociferously to stamp out sexism and pioneer fair treatment for farm workers, children and people needing mental health services. She secured the passage of a controversial “potty parity” bill requiring the same restroom access for women as men. One of her most passionate crusades was unsuccessful: persuading Florida to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The Florida Senate rejected the bill, one of the final three states to seal the ERA’s fate.

Times researcher Natalie Watson contributed to this report.