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Special Feature

FORT LAUDERDALE CELEBRATES

WOMEN LEADERS

By Christina Currie

Here’s to strong women. May we know them.

May we raise them. May we be them.

March is Women’s History Month which commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the
vital role of women in American history. Over the years there have been a number of female trailblazers in Fort
Lauderdale. Within minutes of our homes we can find references to female leaders who helped to transform our City.
Below are a handful of these inspiring women. Happy Women’s History Month from Christina Currie, RVCA President.

Eula Johnson was a local civil rights activist who worked to end Jim Crow segregation
in public beaches, schools and restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Ms. Johnson became the
first female President of the NAACP in 1959. Ms. Johnson is credited with helping to
end the segregation of beaches in Broward County, FL. Her former residence on Sistrunk
Blvd. is home to the FTL/Broward NAACP Branch headquarters, a museum, and the
Sistrunk Corridor Welcome Center. In 2016 John U. Lloyd Beach State Park was
renamed the Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in
honor of the civil rights efforts undertaken by Ms.Johnson and
her colleague, Dr. Mizell, during segregation.

Rhoda Mae Kerr was sworn in as the City of Fort
Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief in 2018 when she became the
City’s first female Fire Chief in the 106-year history of the
department. Chief Kerr has been a pioneer in the fire profession for decades. In 2015, she
was the first woman elected President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in
the 142-year history of the organization. She served as President of the Metropolitan “Metro”
Fire Chiefs Association from 2016 - 2017 and is a former President of the National Society
of Executive Fire Officers (NSEFO). Chief Kerr is our current Fire Rescue Chief.

Ivy Stranahan was an advocate for Seminole affairs and an educator. Ivy resided
with her husband at a trading post opened in 1893 for the purpose of trading with
Seminoles and providing local mail delivery. Ivy, known as the City’s First School
Teacher, eagerly taught local Seminole children English and tutored them in other
topics. Ivy was the President of the Friends of the Florida Seminoles, Florida Foundation,
Inc. when it was organized in 1949 and contributed to the establishment of a
permanent Indian reservation for the Seminoles. Ivy’s former place of residence where
she did much of her work is open to the public and known as The Stranahan House.

rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com
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