GFWC Miami Springs Woman’s Club Honored with Community Philanthropy for Survivors Award

On April 21, 2026, the GFWC Miami Springs Woman’s Club received the tremendous honor of being recognized by the Jackson Health System's Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center during their Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Symposium. The club was presented with the prestigious Community Philanthropy for Survivors Award, recognizing our commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault.

Receiving the award on behalf of the GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club was Lynda Randolph, a longtime member, Past President, and Co-Chair of the club's Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Program.

This meaningful partnership with the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center began through Lynda Randolph's introduction of the organization to our club a few years ago. Since then, our members have embraced the center's mission and the critical support it provides to survivors throughout Miami-Dade County. When the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center calls upon our club for support, we are committed to answering that call.

Thank you to all our members that attended! From L-R: Kathleen (Membership Chair) & Buzz Fleischman, Natalie Plasencia (Garden Club Co-Chair), Nancy Voye, Juanita Palazzolo (Past President), Miriam Cabrera, Lourdes Barquin (Scholarship Chair), Yanira Ross de la Torre (Co-Chair Domestic Violence), Lynda Randolph, Alicia San Pedro, Angela Tonsmeire, Joy Noonan (Corresponding Secretary). Floor: Gail Saturday & Aracelia Gomez

A Legacy of Advocacy

The history of the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center is rooted in the courage and determination of women who refused to remain silent about sexual violence.

In 1971, as reports of rape increased throughout the Miami area, women's rights advocate Roxcy O'Neal Bolton courageously brought public attention to the issue. Her activism led to the creation of the Miami-Dade County Rape Task Force, which united community leaders, mental health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and advocates to address the growing crisis.

1) Roxcy Bolton Portrait 1960 (circa) 2) Roxcy with Eleanor Roosevelt. 1956 (circa) 3) Roxcy Bolton, right, at the Miami rape treatment center 1974 (circa) 4) Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center dedication - Miami, Florida May 7, 1993 5) Roxcy in 2012, Photo by AI Diaz/Miami Herald. 6) Roxcy Bolton, right, with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins. 1981 (circa)

Recognizing the need for specialized services, the task force successfully proposed the creation of a rape crisis center. In 1973, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved funding, and in 1974 the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center opened its doors as one of the first rape treatment centers in the nation.

Throughout its history, RTC has provided compassionate care to victims of all ages while expanding education, awareness, and survivor advocacy throughout the community. Today, RTC remains the only comprehensive rape treatment center in Miami-Dade County and continues to serve as a national model for survivor-centered care. Providing Comfort, Dignity, and Hope

Because medical examinations often require clothing to be collected as evidence, many survivors arrive unexpectedly and leave the center without the personal belongings or clothing they came with. During an already traumatic experience, RTC strives to restore a sense of comfort, dignity, and care by providing essential replacement items.

The center relies on community donations of new clothing and personal care products, including:

Clothing

• New underwear

• Socks

• Sports Bras

• Leggings

• Sweatpants

• Loose-fitting t-shirts (all sizes)

Footwear

• New flip-flops

• Slippers

Toiletries

• Deodorant

• Body wash

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Hairbrushes and combs

These simple items provide much more than physical necessities, they help survivors begin their healing journey with comfort, dignity, and the reassurance that their community cares. We will notify our membership, and community when we schedule the next collection.

Services Available to the Public

The Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center (RTC) is a nonprofit, hospital-based sexual assault crisis center located on the Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus. Staffed by specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), the center provides comprehensive, compassionate, and confidential care for survivors of sexual assault free of charge. The Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services include:

• Comprehensive medical treatment and forensic examinations

• Testing and prevention services for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV

• Pre- and post-exposure prophylactic medications

• Crisis intervention services

• Victim advocacy and emotional support

• Counseling and therapy

• Support groups

• Accompaniment services

• Assistance with victim compensation and relocation applications

• Community education and awareness programs

• The center is also recognized as a leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality, ensuring that all survivors receive respectful, inclusive, and trauma-informed care.
  

24/7 Crisis & Sexual Assault Helpline: 305-585-RAPE (7273) For hearing or speech-impaired individuals, assistance is available through Florida Relay: 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) Our Commitment Receiving the Community Philanthropy for Survivors Award is both an honor and a reminder of the work that remains to be done. We remain committed to supporting the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center and helping raise awareness about the resources available to survivors and their families.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Program Director Franchine Peters and Community Health Educator Louisenie Remy for their leadership, dedication, and partnership. Their commitment to supporting survivors, educating our community, and advancing awareness inspires us to continue our service and advocacy efforts. On behalf of the entire GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club, we thank the Jackson Health System and the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center for this incredible recognition.

RTC information taken from https://jacksonhealth.org/locations/roxcy-bolton-rape-treatment-center/ Pictures of Roxcy Bolton from the Florida Memory State Library and Archives of Florida