Sunday Favorites: A Rose by Any Other Name

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, two remarkable women named Rose made a lasting impact on Florida’s communities. Through their leadership, vision, and dedication, they left indelible marks in journalism and education. Their stories offer a glimpse into the evolving roles of women in society and their influence on shaping Florida's history.

Sarasota Times Building.

Sarasota’s First Female Newspaper Editor

Most towns had their own newspaper, and Manatee County was no exception. Originally called the Manatee County Advocate, the paper was founded by Cornelius VanSanborn Wilson. While Cornelius often received recognition for his work, it was his wife, Rose Wilson, who truly ran the show behind the scenes. Born in Scotland, Rose married Cornelius in 1898, and within a year, the couple moved their newspaper operation from Manatee County to Sarasota. By 1899, Sarasota had its very own newspaper The Sarasota Times, filling a gap in the local media landscape.

Rose wasn't just a passive observer in the printing process. She was deeply involved in editing, publishing, and printing the newspaper alongside her husband. When Cornelius passed away in 1910, Rose officially took over the reins, becoming the only female editor in Florida at the time. In his final editorial, published posthumously, Cornelius revealed that Rose had been managing the paper far longer than the public realized, and he urged the community to trust her leadership.

With her newfound authority, Rose used the newspaper as a platform for change. She was not afraid to voice her opinions or advocate for public improvements. For example, when she saw potential in an overlooked area at the foot of Main Street in Sarasota, she used the paper to call for public action. Her vision for community-driven initiatives, such as a public workday, resulted in real change. She rallied men in the town to clean up the area and create a park, demonstrating the power of a strong editorial voice.

Rose’s tenure as editor provided a broader perspective on the community’s happenings, highlighting not only men’s achievements but also those of women, families, and children. Her contributions helped shape Sarasota’s development and positioned her as a pioneering figure in Florida journalism.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in front of the schoolhouse on Terra Ceia Island circa 1919-1920.

Terra Ceia’s Education Pioneer

While Rose Wilson was making waves in Sarasota, another Rose—Rose Abel—was shaping the future of Terra Ceia, a small island community in Manatee County. As families began settling in Terra Ceia, there was a growing need for education, and Rose Abel stepped up to meet the challenge. In 1885, she helped open the first school on the island in the parlor of the W.H. Abel home. At the time, formal schools were rare, and education often took place in homes or churches. Rose’s dedication to teaching left a lasting impression—during a visit by the County Superintendent of Schools, E.B. Graham, the students were so well-behaved that Graham reportedly fell asleep, according to a 1978 research paper "The History of Terra Ceia Island" written by Mrs. Mason Barker, of the Manatee County Historical Society.

As Terra Ceia continued to grow, so did its educational infrastructure. In 1894, residents built a wooden one-room schoolhouse on land donated by Captain Charles F. Hobart, who designed and constructed the building based on New York State’s model for rural schoolhouses. Hobart, a prominent community figure, also dug the school’s artesian well and hosted various community meetings there, including those of the Village Improvement Association (VIA), according to a historical marker. 

In 1912, the local School Board recognized the need for a larger school to accommodate the growing population and purchased additional land from James and Elizabeth Anderson. They built a four-classroom brick schoolhouse, which served the community until 1948. Although the building burned down in the 1970s, its foundation remains under a residence to the north of the historical marker that commemorates it today.

In addition to her role as an educator, Rose Abel also contributed to the historical record of Terra Ceia. In 1910, she wrote one of the first histories of the island, preserving the stories of its early settlers and the development of the community. Rose Abel’s contributions extended beyond the classroom; she set the stage for future educators like Miss Beulah Morris, who founded the Terra Ceia Library and was remembered for her dramatic works in the community.

Both Rose Wilson and Rose Abel were trailblazers in their respective fields. Rose Wilson used her position as a newspaper editor to influence public opinion and drive progress in Sarasota. Meanwhile, Rose Abel played a pivotal role in shaping Terra Ceia’s educational landscape, ensuring that children in the community had access to quality education in a time before public schools were the norm.

These women’s legacies remind us of the power of perseverance and leadership, especially during a time when women were often relegated to the sidelines. Through their work, they not only improved their communities but also paved the way for future generations of women to step into leadership roles and make a difference. Today, their contributions live on in Florida’s history, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.