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Ms. Rosa Williams

Miss Rosa’s activism began during the Civil Rights Movement, participating in sit-ins and voter registration drives. She exposed discriminatory hiring practices by applying for jobs alongside white counterparts. In the early 1970s, she became the first Black person in Gainesville to obtain a public library card. As she recounted later, the process took weeks and required her to navigate a maze of intrusive requirements, including detailed personal information, church affiliations, and even neighbor references. She persisted, as she always did, not only for herself, but for those who would follow. This determination to build a community that is just and fair extended to Miss Rosa’s work protecting and uplifting the next generation. In 1987, she co-founded the Reichert House Youth Academy alongside Richard Baxter and former Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones, creating a safe haven and pathway forward for young men facing systemic barriers. She also served as a vital member of the Black-on-Black Crime Task Force, continuously working to address the root causes of violence and inequality in the community she loved. “She was simply Ms. Rosa,” said former Gainesville City Manager Cynthia W. Curry. “However, the challenges she faced and turned into opportunities for this community were no simple feats. She is a legend. She was tiny and unassuming, but so powerful as she fought for justice, equality and—in particular—for the safety and future of our young people.” Throughout her extraordinary life, Rosa Williams was honored with over 40 awards for her unwavering commitment to social justice and community service. But perhaps the most enduring tribute is the Rosa B. Williams Center, located at 524 NW First St. Named in her honor, the center stands as a vibrant hub of culture and empowerment, with spaces for art, dance and learning. It occupies the historic grounds of the Union Academy, one of the first African American schools in the area—a fitting continuation of Miss Rosa’s lifelong dedication to education, legacy and community. Rosa B. Williams will be remembered not only for the barriers she broke and the battles she fought, but for the countless lives she touched along the way. May she rest in power.

Lifespan: 1933-2026

VITAE
ROSA B. WILLIAMS
423 NW 6th Place
Gainesville, FL 32601
955-5958 (W)

EDUCATION:

Williston Vocational High School—1951
Santa Fe Community College—1970-1972
(Human Services Courses)

EMPLOYMENT:

Tacachale (formerly Sunland), Gainesville, FL—1983—
(Responsible for coordinating all activities for the residents at Tacachale and is the Volunteer Coordinator.)

Other Employment:

Alachua County Coordinated Child Care, Inc.
Community Action Agency Bell Nursery

CIVIC & COMMUNITY SERVICE MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Gainesville Police Department Advisory Board
  • Black on Black Crime Task Force, Chair
  • Sickle Cell Organization of Alachua County
  • Pleasant Street Neighborhood Crime Watch
  • Florida Blue Key
  • Shands Hospital Board of Directors
  • African Americans Uniting for Life
  • Bread of the Mighty Food Bank
  • East Gainesville Clinic Advisory

 

CIVIC & COMMUNITY SERVICE MEMBERSHIPS:

  • United Gainesville CDC—Porters’ Community
  • NAACP
  • Alachua County Democratic Committee
  • Concerned Citizens for Juvenile Justice
  • Gainesville-Ocala Marine Institute
  • Vision 2000
  • Florida School for Youth Achievement
  • State Nursing Board

PAST MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNITY SERVICE:

  • Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women
  • Alachua County Girls Club
  • Displaced Homemakers
  • Gainesville Regional Airport Authority
  • Gainesville Housing Authority
  • Hippodrome State Theatre Board of Directors
  • Planned Parenthood Board
  • Gainesville Neighborhood Housing Board
  • Cultural Arts Action Plan Leadership Committee
  • Regional Transit System Task Force
  • League of Women Voters
  • Alachua County Coordinated Child Care
  • Historical Gainesville Board of Directors
  • Debonaire Social Club
  • Voters for Equal Rights
  • Community Awareness Board
  • N.W. 5th Avenue Ad Hoc Committee
  • Alachua County Education Association

 

HONORS, AWARDS & SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

NAACP, 1968
“Community Service Award”

NAACP, November, 1973
“Leadership Award”

American Association of Blood Banks, May 1973
“Galloneer Appreciation Award”

City of Gainesville, August 1974
“Very Important Citizen Award”

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, December 1974
“Leadership and Achievement Award”

Bartle Temple Methodist Church, 1976
“Certificate of Appreciation for Community Service Award”

Springhill Baptist Church, 1976
“Appreciation Award”

Gainesville Review of Issues and Trends, 1978
“Outstanding Contribution and Service to the Community”

United Way Director: 1978-1980, 1975-1978, 1968-1971

Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, May 1979
“Leadership Gainesville”

Alpha Phi Alpha, 1979
“Community Service Award”

Gainesville Police Department, October 1982
“In recognition of service to Gainesville Police Department and the Community.”

University City Temple # 900 & City Lodge # 1218, 1982
“For contributions to the community in the field of Education.”

Alachua County Education Association, June 1983
“Distinguished Service Award”

State of Florida, Department of Corrections, July 1983
“Crime Prevention Award” for outstanding contributions to the City of Gainesville in development of support for Crime Prevention initiatives in the Black Community.

University City Lodge 1218 of IBPOE Elks, University City Temple of IBPOE Elks, Nov.1983
“Distinguished Service to the Community in the Field of Education”

Springhill Baptist Church, February 1984
“Contribution to the Black Community”

Gainesville Police Department, February 1984
“Citizens Against Criminal Environment”

Exchange Club Award, March 1987
“Book of Golden Deeds”

Woodlawn Park, June, 1987
“Neighborhood Association Award”

City of Gainesville, Proclamation, September 1987
“The Recreation Center was named after Rosa B. Williams in honor of her extended community service.”

Board of Realtors, May, 1989
“Outstanding Service Award”/Sunland Poster Contest

Shands Medical Scholarship, 1991
“$150,000 to be awarded annually to employees for medical training.
Named after Rosa B. Williams in honor of her extended community service.”

Florida Blue Key, April 1991
“In Recognition of her Outstanding Abilities, Leadership, and Service to UF.”

Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, 1992- 1993

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, January 1992
“Community Service Award”

Cultural Arts Coalition
“Recognition of Contribution Towards Positive Community Development”

Florida State Voters’ League
“Personal Commitment to Human & Civil Rights & Unselfish Service in Alachua County”

Camelliattes
“Community Service Award”

Gainesville Sun
“Annual Community Service Award”

Gainesville Sun
“Sixth Most Influential Citizen Recognition”

Sunland
“Beautification Project First a Success”

Alachua County Reading Council
“Efforts Promoting Literacy”

District III
“Sustained Superior Achievement”

United Gainesville Community Development “Outstanding Service”

City of Gainesville, City Commission
“Outstanding Service to Alachua County Citizen”

Alachua County Commission
“Outstanding Service to Alachua County Citizen”

UF Resolution, July 9, 1994
“For Great Accomplishments and Contributions to UF”

SFCC/UF
“Women of Distinction Award”

Girl Scouts of America
“Girl Scout of the Year for 1996”

Gainesville’s Correctional Institute, June 1996
“Crime Prevention Award”

Martin Luther King Hall of Fame

Reichert House, 1999
“Certificate of Appreciation”

Santa Fe Community College, 2000
“Millennium’s Woman of the Year”

Gainesville Sun & TV 20, 2000
“Most Important Person” in shaping Gainesville’s Community

Child Resource Center, October 2, 2000
To Rosa B. Williams, who made a difference in establishing Day Care Centers throughout Alachua County.

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