Cora Roberson, the first woman to run for elected office in the City of Gainesville, cracked the glass ceiling that was soon shattered by women being elected to office. Mrs. Roberson was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Florida Memorial College (BA Science), Tuskegee Institute (MA Education). She taught at A. Quinn Jones, and other elementary schools in Alachua County.

 

Mrs. Roberson was the first woman to run for a seat on the Gainesville City Commission in 1968, the first Black woman to teach white students at Kirby Smith Elementary School, a founding member of the first Black Greek-lettered organization in Alachua County - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. − and the first director of the Alachua County Head Start program for 34 years. She was also a founding member of the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights, which was instrumental in desegregating the Gainesville Library, Alachua General Hospital, and more.

 

This program is sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL; The City of Gainesville; and by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of the Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.

 

Admission is free but you must register to attend. In-person and Zoom options are available.

 

Click here for in-person registration.
Click here for Zoom registration.