WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Women of Osceola County

THE PIONEER WOMANThe brave, hardworking women who settled Osceola County came to the area in the 1800’s. These women, many with no more than what fit in an ox cart, paved the way for generations of Osceola County residents.

THE PIONEER WOMANThe brave, hardworking women who settled Osceola County came to the area in the 1800’s. These women, many with no more than what fit in an ox cart, paved the way for generations of Osceola County residents.

MINNIE MOORE WILLSONMinnie Moore Willson’s acquaintance with Kissimmee began when she visited the area in the early 1880’s. As a member of the Audubon Society of Florida, Mrs. Willson was influential in securing Kissimmee as one of the first towns in the state to become a bird sanctuary. She also worked closely with the Seminole tribe to secure 10,000 acres for use by the tribe. Minnie was the first president of the Kissimmee Women’s Club. Along with her writings for the Audubon Society, she also wrote many short stories and became a member of the American Pen Women and other literary groups.

MARY LEORA SINGLETARYMary Leora Singletary moved to Kissimmee in 1906 at the age of 5. At a time when most women were stay-at-home mothers, Mary helped her father run his land and lumber business. After graduating from Osceola High School, she went on to Florida State College for Women. Mary taught school in Osceola County from 1925 – 1946. During her studies for her Master’s degree, wrote her thesis called “Vegetation of Osceola County”, which led to the discovery of a new fern in the area.

CATHERINE S. HARTCatherine married the first state born governor of Florida, Ossian B. Hart. After her husband’s death in 1874, she moved to Kissimmee, Florida. She used her home as a post office and book store. Catherine then donated the building to form Kissimmee’s first public library in 1910. Hart Memorial Library stood in downtown Kissimmee until 1984 when it was razed to make room for the city’s communication center.

ALMA HETHERINGTONBorn just before the turn of the century, Alma Hetherington started her legacy in Osceola County by teaching school in Kenansville for 13 years. During her time here, she was also a correspondent for the St. Cloud News and the Orlando Sentinel. After her husband’s death, she began working on the history of Osceola County. Her book, The River of the Long Water, was published in 1980. Alma was a charter member of the Florida Women's Press Club, now known as Florida Press Club, past president of the Osceola County Historical Society, and a former president of the Daytona Beach Branch of the National League of the American Pen Women.

LOUISE G. HETTINGER First woman member of Osceola Board of Public Instruction.

NAOMI WINBUSHAfter moving to Kissimmee with her hunsband, Nelson, Naomi Winbush started teaching in 1957 at the county’s only black school, Kissimmee High School. In 1981, Naomi became the fist woman and African American appointed to City Commission.

BROWNIE WISEBorn in 1913, Brownie Wise was a pioneering American saleswoman largely responsible for the success of Tupperware. Wise ran the sales division, Tupperware Home Parties, Inc, from Kissimmee, Florida and had the freedom to implement her marketing strategies. Her ability to tap into the desire for happiness helped recruit thousands of women into a career at a time when a woman's role was conventionally tied to the home. Her noted TV appearances, magazine and newspaper articles made her a household name. In 1954, she became the first woman to appear on the cover of Business Week.